Robert Edgar was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador and raised in Miami, FL. He recently graduated with honors from Stanford University with a degree in Public Policy. He wrote his honors thesis about microfinance and the obstacles that exist in bringing services to the world's poorest segments. Robert has garnered extensive knowledge of governmental processes and developing economies as a result of his work with Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart and his coursework in economy and political science. He has also interned with the Ecuadorian National Bank of Development and is an alumnus of the NALEO Shell internship Program. Robert serves as Director of Business Development and Strategic Alliances at Mifex Credit Union.
Eric Rubio grew up in Miami, FL, and recently graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has experience as a web design/usability consultant for Santa Barbara start-up Lifemine Solutions. Eric believes in the power of the internet to play a major role in lifting the world's poor out of poverty and is currently working with Mifex Credit Union to turn this vision into reality.
Jimmy Chavez is from Long Beach, CA and recently graduated from Stanford University ('05) with a degree in Political Science. His main area of academic interest, however, is Management Science & Engineering, where he gained an understanding of entrepreneurship and growing successful companies. With work experience at UBS Investment Bank in their fixed income division, as well as Silicon Valley start-ups, Jimmy has been involved with companies both large and small.
Luís Crespo has over twenty years of experience in finance including ten years in upper management and ten years in microfinance. He has held positions in governmental financial institutions, commercial banks and cooperatives. His extensive knowledge of finance, upper management and micro credit make him an excellent financial analyst and consultant. His previous experience includes the Ecuadorian Bank of Development, LeasingCorp and Finannova.
Esther Vásquez studied economics la Estatal de Guayaquil and received an MBA from Universidad Técnica Federico Santa Maria of Chile. She began her career in microfinance with her experiences with Mision Alianza from Norway. There she was able to use her knowledge of microfinance and management so that she could be one of the founders of the Mision Alianza microcredit program, D-Miro. After distinguishing herself as one of the best credit officials she moved on to a position as a consultant for USAID.
Hector Rangel, originally from Panama, brings years of experience in microfinance to Mifex as a technical advisor on lending methodologies and financial products. Most recently he has worked for Development Alternatives Inc. capacitating loan officers at Banco Guayaquil in Ecuador. Before holding positions at DAI, Mr. Rangel worked for Mi Banco in Peru as branch manager (gerente de sucursal) where he helped build training programs for loan officials and financial analysts. His wealth of knowledge about microfinance operations and loan products is an integral part of Mifex Credit Union's success.