Overview
Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA and emerging from the Schaffer Group of Companies, Schaffer is a majority woman owned small business working worldwide in the agribusiness, renewable energy, and related infrastructure sectors with capabilities and partnerships to manage and coordinate all aspects of consulting services, project development, project financing, management, implementation and execution in emerging markets and challenging environments.
Our mission
Identifying, financially structuring and implementing economically sound structures, technologies and projects in the worldwide agribusiness, renewable energies and related infrastructure sectors in a socio-economic and environmentally responsible manner.
Our Methodology
SIS prides itself on relationships built and maintained over the years and recognizes that its stakeholders, clients, and partners are all critical and vital to the company’s success. Utilizing its members, consultants, partnerships, and alliances/teams, we provide integrated solutions to serve the unique needs of clients in challenging environments.
Structure
Mima S. Nedelcovych, Ph.D., Chairman
Geralyn C. Contini, CEO
Marian Schaffer, COO
Mima S. Nedelcovych, Ph.D., Chairman
Dr. Nedelcovych is an expert in international finance, project development, investment promotion, public private partnerships, trade facilitation and government relations in emerging countries, with over 30 years’ experience living and working in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Central America/Caribbean Basin.
He held the position of U.S. Executive Director at the African Development Bank (AfDB), where he was responsible for all policy issues and supervised the consideration and execution of a wide range of highly complex economic, monetary, and financial matters, including the formulation and establishment of the Private Sector Department and creation of the African Export-Import Bank. In addition to a partner at Schaffer, he also served as Country Director in Liberia for Buchanan Renewables, and Founder of AfricaGlobal Partners and DNR International, served as the lead Partner in the development of the Public Private Partnerhsip - Markala Sugar Project in Mali, and served as the Chairman of the Société Sucrière de Markala, in addition to a host of consulting assignments increasing trade and private sector investment in Africa’s emerging markets.
He has authored numerous publications and presentations on issues related to political and economic development in Africa, lectured and presented widely on the role of private enterprise in the growth of emerging economies, on the critical role of Public Private Partnerships in delivering infrastructure, and on improving America's competitive position in developing countries. Past President of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), presently active on the Boards of the CCA, the Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa (PCHPA) and Afriland First Bank SA (Cameroon) and past inaugural member of the “Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee” of the US Export-Import Bank.
He holds a BA in Political Science from Yale University, an MA in International Relations from George Washington University, and a PhD in Comparative Political and Economic Development from Florida State University (in conjunction with Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco). Dr. Nedelcovych is fluent in English, French, Spanish, and Serbian and is knowledgeable in Portuguese and Italian.
Geralyn Contini
Over 35 years’ international agribusiness, management and commercial experience with the Schaffer and its various entities and holdings. Serves as the Chief Executive Officer and responsible to the Board of Directors in carrying out the organization’s vision and mission statements and for the strategic plan and future direction to provide managed growth of the group. Guides the partnerships and teaming alliances in appropriate and commercially proven technologies for capacity building. Maintains client contact and satisfaction through relationship building and ensures work product quality, through travel and meeting clients at their locations. Guides the business development and marketing efforts for the organization to government and private potential clientele. Maintains active community service in the following:
· Member/Former Chairperson – Louisiana District Export Council for the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center
· Louisiana State Department of Economic Development - Ambassador
· Member – World Trade Center and International Business Committee, Louisiana
· Former Member – U.S. Department of Agriculture Advisory Committee on Emerging Markets
Marian Schaffer
Over 25 years’ experience in the international agribusiness industry with Schaffer and the Schaffer Global Group of Companies. Currently, Chief Operating Officer directing the operational management of the organization and coordinating major project activities. Responsible for coordination of personnel on sales efforts, project scheduling, project liaison and personnel administration. Assists with production and quality control of progress and interim reports, operational studies, feasibility studies, evaluations and appraisals. Liaises with clients on contract negotiations and project execution.
Responsible for assigning and monitoring the activities of Schaffer team members in the home office and at worldwide project locations, including but not limited to the Schaffer team responsible for project development, management, and implementation administration of the major 34,000 tons cane per day expansion of the Clewiston Sugar Factory in Florida.
Previously served as Assistant Project Management on the Finchaa Sugar Project located in Ethiopia assisting the Project Manager in various administrative and commercial aspects of the project, including contract negotiations, project execution and government/client relations.
Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA and emerging from the Schaffer Group of Companies, Schaffer is a majority woman owned small business working worldwide in the agribusiness, renewable energy, and related infrastructure sectors with capabilities and partnerships to manage and coordinate all aspects of consulting services, project development, project financing, management, implementation and execution in emerging markets and challenging environments.
Our mission
Identifying, financially structuring and implementing economically sound structures, technologies and projects in the worldwide agribusiness, renewable energies and related infrastructure sectors in a socio-economic and environmentally responsible manner.
Our Methodology
SIS prides itself on relationships built and maintained over the years and recognizes that its stakeholders, clients, and partners are all critical and vital to the company’s success. Utilizing its members, consultants, partnerships, and alliances/teams, we provide integrated solutions to serve the unique needs of clients in challenging environments.
Structure
Mima S. Nedelcovych, Ph.D., Chairman
Geralyn C. Contini, CEO
Marian Schaffer, COO
Mima S. Nedelcovych, Ph.D., Chairman
Dr. Nedelcovych is an expert in international finance, project development, investment promotion, public private partnerships, trade facilitation and government relations in emerging countries, with over 30 years’ experience living and working in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Central America/Caribbean Basin.
He held the position of U.S. Executive Director at the African Development Bank (AfDB), where he was responsible for all policy issues and supervised the consideration and execution of a wide range of highly complex economic, monetary, and financial matters, including the formulation and establishment of the Private Sector Department and creation of the African Export-Import Bank. In addition to a partner at Schaffer, he also served as Country Director in Liberia for Buchanan Renewables, and Founder of AfricaGlobal Partners and DNR International, served as the lead Partner in the development of the Public Private Partnerhsip - Markala Sugar Project in Mali, and served as the Chairman of the Société Sucrière de Markala, in addition to a host of consulting assignments increasing trade and private sector investment in Africa’s emerging markets.
He has authored numerous publications and presentations on issues related to political and economic development in Africa, lectured and presented widely on the role of private enterprise in the growth of emerging economies, on the critical role of Public Private Partnerships in delivering infrastructure, and on improving America's competitive position in developing countries. Past President of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), presently active on the Boards of the CCA, the Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa (PCHPA) and Afriland First Bank SA (Cameroon) and past inaugural member of the “Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee” of the US Export-Import Bank.
He holds a BA in Political Science from Yale University, an MA in International Relations from George Washington University, and a PhD in Comparative Political and Economic Development from Florida State University (in conjunction with Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco). Dr. Nedelcovych is fluent in English, French, Spanish, and Serbian and is knowledgeable in Portuguese and Italian.
Geralyn Contini
Over 35 years’ international agribusiness, management and commercial experience with the Schaffer and its various entities and holdings. Serves as the Chief Executive Officer and responsible to the Board of Directors in carrying out the organization’s vision and mission statements and for the strategic plan and future direction to provide managed growth of the group. Guides the partnerships and teaming alliances in appropriate and commercially proven technologies for capacity building. Maintains client contact and satisfaction through relationship building and ensures work product quality, through travel and meeting clients at their locations. Guides the business development and marketing efforts for the organization to government and private potential clientele. Maintains active community service in the following:
· Member/Former Chairperson – Louisiana District Export Council for the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center
· Louisiana State Department of Economic Development - Ambassador
· Member – World Trade Center and International Business Committee, Louisiana
· Former Member – U.S. Department of Agriculture Advisory Committee on Emerging Markets
Marian Schaffer
Over 25 years’ experience in the international agribusiness industry with Schaffer and the Schaffer Global Group of Companies. Currently, Chief Operating Officer directing the operational management of the organization and coordinating major project activities. Responsible for coordination of personnel on sales efforts, project scheduling, project liaison and personnel administration. Assists with production and quality control of progress and interim reports, operational studies, feasibility studies, evaluations and appraisals. Liaises with clients on contract negotiations and project execution.
Responsible for assigning and monitoring the activities of Schaffer team members in the home office and at worldwide project locations, including but not limited to the Schaffer team responsible for project development, management, and implementation administration of the major 34,000 tons cane per day expansion of the Clewiston Sugar Factory in Florida.
Previously served as Assistant Project Management on the Finchaa Sugar Project located in Ethiopia assisting the Project Manager in various administrative and commercial aspects of the project, including contract negotiations, project execution and government/client relations.
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A Proud Board Member of The Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa
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Recipient of the Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence
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Founding Members, A Proud Board Member
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Recipient of the
“Corporate Citizenship in Africa” Award 
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Schaffer International Services, L.L.C.
663 Fallwood Drive
Baton Rouge, LA
70817 | U.S.A.
Schaffer International Services, L.L.C.
663 Fallwood Drive
Baton Rouge, LA
70817 | U.S.A.
