Amigos Trustee Carlos Torres

Our staff sits down with Amigos Board President Carlos Torres

Name:
Carlos J. Torres

Occupation/Position:
Independent consultant in economic development

How were you first introduced to Costa Rica?
I first went to Costa Rica in 1981 under a project with USAID /Costa Rica. In 1981, Costa Rica was going through an economic crisis that let to large currency devaluations and many problems throughout the economy as a result. After that first trip in 1981 I made several more trips to Costa Rica, that led to my eventually securing a one year contract with USAID / Costa Rica and moving there with my wife in June of 1983. The rest is history! What started out as a one year contract led to a second one year contract with USAID in 1984, which coincided with my starting my consulting company – CARANA Corporation. In 1985 I was offered a contract to work run Costa Rica’s investment promotion program at CINDE, which I did through 1987. When the CINDE contract ended, I continued to run CARANA Corporation from Costa Rica through 1993 when I moved back to the U.S. to what became CARANA’s headquarters in Washington, DC.

What about the country has kept you interested?
Besides being one of the most beautiful places on this Earth, I made many friends there over the ten years that we lived and raised a family there. I enjoy going back to Costa Rica as often as possible to see friends, old places and explore new ones. I also am a minority partner in a small business in Costa Rica so I have business reasons for going back to Costa Rica whenever I can.

What motivates your support of/participation in Amigos of Costa Rica/CRUSA?
I owe a lot to Costa Rica. My work there with USAID and then later with CINDE and CENPRO (Costa Rica’s export promotion agency) provided me with a great deal of experience that I was able to apply in CARANA Corporation. I feel fortunate to have lived and worked in Costa Rica from 1983 to 1993, and feel that my involvement in Amigos of Costa Rica gives me a way to give back to that beautiful country.

What is your favorite off-the-beaten-path destination in Costa Rica?
I would have to say that it’s a split decision. One of my favorite places is the herb farm just North of San José where my business partner - Harve Thomas –lives. He has one of the largest herb and medicinal plant collections in the region spread out through a walking garden that is over three hectares in size. He recently built a tree house – not just any tree house; this one has running water and electricity – where I was lucky enough to spend the night last year. Quite an experience to go to sleep and wake up with the whole central valley of San José just off the foot of your bed.

My other favorite place are any one of the many beaches running along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Two years ago my wife and I were able to take a few days off and drive from Dominical to Tamarindo and loved every minute of it… We would do it again on a moment’s notice!