CARILEC is partnering with Duane Morris, LLP to host a webinar aimed at addressing the current economic consequences of the pandemic to our members and stakeholders, its effect on the energy industry and markets, supply chains, project development and investments in the Caribbean.
For more information contact [email protected]
Meet the Facilitators
Miles L. Plaskett
Miles L. Plaskett is a partner at the law firm of Duane Morris LLP, where he focuses on corporate, municipal and project finance, with an emphasis on renewable energy, infrastructure and development projects in the U.S., the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Caribbean and Latin America. Mr. Plaskett represents corporate, municipal, utilities and private and sovereign investor and sponsor clients. He is also a member of the firm’s Cuba Business Group. Miles received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.S. from Georgetown University.
Cletus K. Bertin (Ph. d.)
As Executive Director of CARILEC, Bertin leads a team of twelve, ensuring the Secretariat’s role of advocacy on electric utilities and energy issues is effectively executed, advising the board on aspects of CARILEC’s operations and developing and maintaining good working relationships with utility executives, regional decision-makers, business community leaders, and interest groups.
His accomplishments in the Public Sector, ICT and Telecommunications, Management of Change and Innovation, Institutional Strengthening, Capacity Building and Research, over the last twenty years, are most relevant to the CARILEC mission and vision, particularly in light of the significant transformation of the energy sector at this time.
He has delivered presentations at various regional and international seminars and conferences, worked in academia,- lecturing and authoring several articles, papers and book chapters-, and completed high level consultancy assignments for various organizations, including electricity utilities in the Caribbean region, governments, universities, corporations and multi-lateral institutions such as the OECS Secretariat, the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL), United Nations Department of Economic & Social Affairs (UNDESA), the European Union Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the World Bank.
Dr Bertin is a Saint Lucian and possesses a B.Sc. Management Studies (Hons.) from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus; a M.Sc. Management Studies (Information Systems specialization), from UWI St. Augustine Campus; and a Ph.D. Information Systems and Change Management, City University Business School, London, UK.
Eduardo Ramos-Gómez
Eduardo Ramos-Gómez is a partner at the law firm of Duane Morris LLP, where he has practiced international and corporate law for more than 30 years, advising multinational and foreign companies in Asia, North America, Europe and Latin America on cross-border direct foreign investment, project development and project finance. His practice encompasses a broad range of international investments, mergers and acquisitions, securities, financing, joint ventures, licensing, venture capital formation and investments, privatization, infrastructure projects and other corporate transactions in the United States, Latin America and Asia. He is a member of the firm’s Cuba Business Group. Eduardo received an LL.M. from University of Virginia School of Law and a J.D. from Escuela Libre de Derecho.
Steve Nichol
Steve Nichol is a partner at the law firm of Duane Morris LLP, where he practices in the area of litigation, with a focus on technically complex construction and engineering disputes. Mr. Nichol’s experience covers disputes of varying sizes and complexity across a broad range of industry sectors, with a particular focus on transport, infrastructure, energy and building. His clients cover the full range of industry professionals, from niche suppliers and subcontractors to multinational developers, manufacturers and joint ventures, spanning the UK, Europe, the Middle East and further afield. Steve graduated from BPP Law School.
Matthew Hagopian
Matthew Hagopian is the head of Milbank LLP’s Global Energy and Infrastructure Practice in London. He is a dual qualified (English and New York) lawyer with more than 25 years of experience in the development and financing of power and oil and gas projects, including representation of the sponsors in the development of LNG to Power projects in Brazil, Chile and the Caribbean.
Dr. Arron M. Fraser
Dr. Arron M. Fraser is CEO of Power Producers & Distributors Inc. – a Guyanese state entity which operates and maintains four geographically dispersed power plants with an output of 106 MWs, for its sister state entity, The Guyana Power & Light Inc. Dr. Fraser has led the company since its date of commercial operation in January 2017. Prior to that, he headed the Wartsila’s subsidiary in Guyana for 7.5 years and before that appointment was head of the finance and accounting function 8 years. Dr. Fraser can be considered a true child of the power generation asset management industry.
Dr. Fraser read for a Ph.D. in Management at Case Western Reserve University, obtained in MBA with a specialization in Financial Strategy from The Alliance Manchester Business School – The University of Manchester and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Additionally, he is a PROSCI certified Change Manager.
Dr. Fraser is a Director on several Boards of Directors in industries ranging from insurance to pharmaceuticals. Dr. Fraser volunteers his time as an adjunct professor at the University of Guyana, is a very active Rotarian and heads a few other social organizations. Dr. Fraser’s life’s motto is “To aim is not enough you must hit”
Ambassador Neil Parsan
Ambassador Neil Parsan, Trinidad
Diane Edwards
Diane Edwards is the President of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) – the national investment and export promotion agency. Possessing a wealth of knowledge and experience in international marketing and business development, Ms. Edwards is committed to developing and advancing Jamaica’s business brand.
Under her leadership, JAMPRO has facilitated approximately US$1.75 billion in investments, US$1.29 billion in export sales, and created 51,000 jobs. She has also led JAMPRO’s transformational development to serve as a catalyst for wealth creation through increased customer focus and more effective marketing communications programmes and has promoted a culture of innovation to facilitate and support the development of new industries in Jamaica, such as shared services, medical tourism and cannabis. She has also been a strong advocate for transformation of the nation’s business environment, with new initiatives including National Business Portal, National Investment Policy and Top 10 Doing Business Report ranking. Ms. Edwards has also served as the President and a Board Member of the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA).
Prior to leading JAMPRO, she served as General Manager and Director of J. Wray & Nephew UK Ltd., where she successfully grew the UK Company’s turnover by 77% over 10 years. Ms. Edwards holds an MBA from New York’s Pace University, a Masters in International Relations from Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris and is fluent in English, French, Spanish and German.
