Resume
Qualifications: Professional experience in developing and overseeing various coffee and agricultural ventures around the world. Multi-lingual, raised in Switzerland and educated in Europe and the United States.
Work History:
2012-2015: Development consultant, Paksong Highland Co. Ltd. Laos, PDR
- Start-up of a 3,000-hectare coffee development for Thailand-based company
2010-2012: Managing member, dankuhncoffee.com
- Consulting in coffee and agriculture, including field techniques, processing and marketing; based in Molokai, Hawaii.
2008-2010: Managing Partner, Koko Crater Coffee Roaster
- Establishing micro-roaster business in Honolulu, Hawaii. Engaging in commercial roasting and blending of various origin coffees.
2002-present: Managing Member, International Agro Consulting, LLC
- Consulting in Hawaii, Australia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Cape Verde, Nicaragua, Mexico, Thailand and Laos. Designing field layout and mechanization plans for 200-acre coffee plantation on Maui, Hawaii.
2003-2007: General Manager, Friendly Isle Coffee Company, LLC
- Refurbishing dilapidated coffee orchard. Reviving field and business operations.
1998-2002: President and Chief Operating Officer, Coffees of Hawaii, Inc
- Combining estate coffee growing and processing and marketing into a successfully branded product line with both green and roasted coffee. Implementing strategic marketing plan, including retail plantation store and espresso bar; wholesale, mail order and internet sales. Introducing agro-tourism with mule drawn wagon rides.
1989-1998: Consultant and Vice President, Coffees of Hawaii, Inc
- Designing field layout and mechanization plan. Adapting technology from other coffee-growing regions to local geographic conditions. Day-to-day operation and implementation of fully mechanized coffee production including orchard maintenance, irrigation, harvesting and processing.
1978-1989: General Manager, Hawaii Tropical Plants
- Designing, constructing and implementing 40-acre foliage nursery for export of pre-finished foliage to U.S. mainland and Japan; 2-acre mist/propagation house, 10-acre shade-house production, field stock; sales and marketing plan for operation.
1971-1980: Consultant and President, Agriculture International, Inc
- Established the following businesses: Agriculture International Inc., Agro Consulting, Honolulu, Hawaii; The Tree People, Arborist and Shade Tree Maintenance, Honolulu, Hawaii; Aqua Pacific, Irrigation and Sprinkler Installation, Honolulu, Hawaii; Poulet Tahiti, Broiler Operation, Afahiti, Tahiti; Hawaii Tropical Plants, 40-acre Foliage Export Nursery, Molokai, Hawaii.
Participated in:
- Poultry Pilot Project, Government. of American Samoa
- Introduction of Beef Breeding Herd, American Samoa
- Design and Site Selection, Pork Facility, Ponapee, Micronesia
- Agriculture Development Plan Molokai, Lokahi Pacific, Molokai, Hawaii
- Feed Corn Feasibility trial 40-acres, Lokahi Pacific, Molokai, Hawaii
- Lapin Tahiti, Design and Construction of Rabbit Farm, Tahiti
Training:
1966: Student, USDA Study Program; Southern United States and California
- Subtropical Agriculture, Soil Salinity and Irrigation, Crop Production, Beef Production
1963: Agriculture Exchange Worker; Kibutz Gevoulot, Israel
- Subtropical Agriculture, Orchard Maintenance, Irrigation
1959-1960: Agriculture Apprentice, Ferme de Promenthoux; Nion, Switzerland
- Milk Production, General Farming
Education:
- Engineer for Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture, German Tropical Institute, Witzenhausen, Germany
- Soil Salinity and Reclamation Soil Salinity and Reclamation Laboratory, Riverside, California
- Bachelor of Science Degree, General Tropical Agriculture, University of Hawaii
- Introduction to the Tropics, Swiss Tropical Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- Diploma Agriculturalist, Agriculture Junior College, Strickhof, Zurich, Switzerland
- School for Apprentice Program, Service de la Formation Professionelle, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Soldier, Swiss Military Training, Zurich, Switzerland
Awards:
- Hawaii Senate recognition for contribution to state agriculture
- Good Year Conservation Award, Molokai-Lanai Soil and Water Conservation District
Licenses and Certificates:
- High explosives training in Germany and licensee for use of high explosives in American Samoa
- Welding and metal working training, Witzenhausen, Germany
- Cupping Certificates from the University of Hawaii and Specialty Coffee Association of America
- Licensed Pesticide Applicator in the State of Hawaii