SCELLEC TECA LTD.
Meet the Team
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CEO and Co-founder(Director Scellec Teca Esp Investments SL, Scellec Teca Colombia SAS and Scellec Caribe SAS)
Holding a BA in Economics (Group IX) and an MBA from University College Dublin, Michael’s background is in project finance, corporate finance, investment risk, and agribusiness banking (ICC Bank), where he commenced his career as a graduate trainee. During his time in corporate finance, he was introduced to the idea of teak as an investment by John Gilliland and Raymond Keogh from Coillte Consult (the consulting arm of Ireland’s state forestry company). Driving Scellec Teca from a standing start, he has successfully developed and directed the company into an enterprise that now employs over 320 people. He has also worked overseas in project finance in New Mexico, the Middle East, and as a volunteer in Rwanda.
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Teak Technical Advisor
Formerly of Coillte Consult (the international consulting arm of Coillte, Ireland’s national forestry agency), Ray is a globally recognized teak expert. He has devoted most of his working life to understanding how to optimize teak growth and implement quality teak plantation management. Having consulted on a large number of teak plantations across the world, he brings a deep knowledge and passion for Latin American teak forestry. He is the author of many related publications.
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Advisory Board and Investment Committee Member
Nicolás brings nearly three decades of executive experience in large-scale forestry, environmental management, and corporate leadership. He spent 28 years at Smurfit Kappa and Smurfit Westrock, culminating his career as Forestry Director for the Central Cluster. Throughout his tenure, he was responsible for optimizing forestry operations, ensuring strict environmental compliance, and managing divisional financial control across Colombia. Backed by a strong academic foundation, including a degree in Civil Engineering from Universidad de Los Andes, an MS in Environmental Engineering from Marquette University as a Fulbright Scholar, and an MS in Industrial Administration from Purdue University. He now leverages his vast industry expertise to provide strategic and investment oversight to the Scellec Teca Limited Board, focusing on long-term environmental and social impact strategies.
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Director of Scellec Teca ESP Investments SL, Chairman Scellec Teca Ltd.
Stewart holds a BAI in Engineering from Trinity College Dublin and an MSC in Informatics from Leeds University. For 15 years, Stewart worked for Accenture on large IT transformation projects as a technical architect and delivery lead across multiple sectors, including banking, healthcare, and energy. After a short career break, he left the IT world and transitioned to sustainable finance, taking on the role of CEO in Volnay, a family-owned investment firm. He brings elite operational and technical oversight to the Scellec board.
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Forestry Investment Expert
Holding both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in forestry, John brings extensive global experience in carbon finance, forest management accounting, and community forestry. He served as an advisor to the Minister of Forestry in post-apartheid South Africa, after which he became CEO of Coillte Consult, where he led multiple EU and World Bank projects. He later served as Head of Programmes at an Irish NGO, where he pioneered a EUR 10 M social impact investment fund in Africa.
Our Caribe Management Team
Colombian subsidiary of SCELLEC TECA LTD.
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Country Manager
Juan is an Agricultural Engineer from El Zamorano and holds an MBA from the Universidad del Norte de Barranquilla. He brings over 20 years of experience in designing, implementing, and managing large-scale agro-industrial operations. He previously managed the largest teak plantation in Colombia for eight years. He now leads all operational and strategic plans for Scellec Caribe, from clonal garden installation to wood marketing. This includes overseeing operations across all areas: crop planting, clonal garden and nursery development, and wood processing and marketing.
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Planning Manager & Sierradentro and Nursery Manager
Hernán is a Forestry Engineer with a specialization in Forestry Photointerpretation and holds a Proprietary Master’s Degree in Occupational Safety and Health Systems from the University of the King, Spain. He has also completed additional studies in Genetic Improvement at North Carolina State University. Hernán brings over 35 years of experience in all aspects of plantation forest management on Colombia’s north coast. His expertise includes genetic improvement programs for Red Ceiba (Bombacopsis quinata) and Melina (Gmelina arborea), forest research, nurseries, plantation site preparation, establishment and silviculture, site selection, and forest nutrition. In addition to managing the forestry operations of Sierradentro and directing the forest nursery, he is actively involved in medium-term strategic planning. This includes improving seedling production, developing region-specific clones, managing permanent growth plots, and overseeing the company’s forestry and phytosanitary monitoring programs.
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External Relations Manager
Andrea is a Social Communicator with a Master’s Degree in Cultural Studies from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. For 10 years, she has designed and implemented research and intervention projects with vulnerable populations, both rural and urban, across Colombia, using participatory methodologies and a community-focused approach. She currently leads the design, planning, and execution of Scellec’s engagement with surrounding communities and stakeholders, following FSC guidelines and promoting collaborative management for community welfare and the company’s integration into the territories.
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Health & Safety Assitant
Yenifer is a qualified Food Engineer specializing in Occupational Health and Safety. She brings over a decade of experience leading comprehensive health and safety programs. With an extensive background spanning the mining, industrial, and forestry sectors, she currently oversees process analysis, ensuring that Scellec Teca's operations adhere to the highest international standards of occupational well-being and workplace safety.
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HR & Administration Manager
Tatiana is an Occupational Health Administrator with specializations in Labor Law, Social Security, and Human Development, and is currently studying Law. She has over 13 years of experience leading human talent, administrative processes, organizational wellbeing, and Occupational Health & Safety across sectors including consulting, services, media, and social management. She leads People & Administration at Scellec, overseeing talent strategy, recruitment, payroll, and labour compliance, while driving continuous improvement in OHS management and programs for culture, wellbeing, and social responsibility. Tatiana excels in team leadership, process optimization, and initiatives that align people management with strategic business goals
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Forestry Coordinator
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Supervisor
Hailing directly from the local community, Emiro possesses invaluable empirical knowledge of the regional land, native forestry, and local environment. Having worked these specific properties long before Scellec Teca's arrival, his deep operational experience is now seamlessly integrated with our highest technical standards. By providing exceptional on-the-ground supervision, he ensures our operations remain highly effective and deeply connected to the local ecosystem.
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Accounting Analyst
Carol is a Certified Public Accountant with a decade of experience managing financial and administrative operations in corporate environments. Her expertise spans information systems management, efficient process optimization, and high-quality financial reporting.
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Accounting Manager
Linda is a Certified Public Accountant specializing in Tax Management from the Universidad Externado de Colombia. Her expertise spans national tax planning, financial auditing, internal controls, and IFRS-compliant reporting. By managing corporate budgets, leading multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring strict regulatory compliance, Linda provides Scellec Teca with the strategic financial oversight needed for sustained growth.
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Strategic Project Manager
Santiago is an Agro-industrial Engineer, graduated from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Montería), with strong proficiency in English. He is currently leading Scellec’s research projects, focused on generating added value from forestry by-products and promoting a circular economy.
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Forest Manager - Poza Redonda and Las Mercedes
Felipe is a Forestry Engineer graduated from the University of Tolima, with a specialization in Senior Management from Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and a certified professional drone pilot. With over 17 years of experience in establishing, managing, and harvesting commercial forest plantations, as well as supporting FSC forest certification processes in Colombia’s Caribbean region, he currently leads the Las Mercedes Project in Magdalena. Felipe drives plantation development through innovation and the adoption of new technologies to ensure sustainable and efficient forest management.
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HR Assistant
Karime holds a degree in Computer Science and a diploma in Human Talent Management, with experience managing the full employee lifecycle. As an HR Analyst, she oversees key processes including recruitment and selection, onboarding and induction, legal and document compliance, and administration of medical leave through EPS. She is also responsible for monitoring payroll updates, ensuring accuracy and timely application each period. Her focus is on administrative precision and regulatory compliance.
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Monitoring Leader
Joel is an Environmental and Sanitary Engineer specializing in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and strategic project formulation. His expertise spans advanced spatial data management using QGIS, AutoCAD, and comprehensive database systems. By directing our geographic information area, Joel provides Scellec Teca with the meticulous plantation monitoring and resource tracking needed to ensure optimal forestry establishment and maintenance.
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GIS Assistant
Estefania is a Precision Agriculture Technologist trained at the Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (SENA), with 4 years of experience supporting geographic information systems. She has developed strong skills in spatial data management and analysis, with hands-on experience using QGIS for processing and managing geographic information. She is currently responsible for producing cartographic maps of forest management units and supports the creation of monitoring maps for operational activities, contributing to planning and informed decision-making.
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Administrative Supervisor
Maria Camila studied Business Administration at the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Montería). She has over 9 years of experience across multiple sectors in different cities in Colombia, including commercial, tourism, industrial, and agro-industrial companies. She currently leads the purchasing and logistics functions at Scellec, ensuring efficient support of day-to-day operational needs.
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Accounting Analyst
Jairo is a Public Accounting graduate from the Universidad del Sinú with 4 years of financial experience across the commercial and real estate sectors. His expertise includes payroll administration, bank reconciliations, tax filing, and the optimization of accounting processes.
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CFOPaul qualified as an ACA with Arthur Andersen in Dublin and worked in London with Salomon Smith Barney as an investment banker. He and Michael met while working together in the corporate finance department of an Irish stockbroking company. An experienced Plc-level CFO, Paul works as a financial consultant and corporate adviser to several Irish companies, bringing top-tier financial rigor, strategic planning, and corporate governance to Scellec Teca.
SCELLEC TECA ESP INVESTMENTS, S.L.
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Group Finance Manager
Gerard holds a BBA from ESADE Business School, including an exchange at Ivey Business School (Western University, Canada), and a Master’s in Audit and Financial Management from UPF Barcelona School of Management, with further studies in Financial Consolidation and IFRS. He has experience in audit and M&A advisory at Big Four firms, and consolidation and internal audit in multinational companies. Internationally, he worked in Nicaragua and volunteered in Equatorial Guinea and The Gambia.
Internal Newsletters
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Caribe te cuenta
This first edition explains further what our newsletter’s dynamic will be. More activities and useful info to come!
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Caribe te cuenta
In this Christmas edition, we highlight essential protective equipment and outline appropriate safety procedures for forestry work.
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Caribe te cuenta
The wellbeing and health of our team are priorities for us. Taking care of our staff and keeping them up to date about our wellbeing programs is key.
Genetics and Nursery
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Teak Genetics Academic
· Olman is the founder and director of the international Tree Improvement Co-operative, GENFORES. He consults on tree breeding, plantation management, and forest appraisal for FAO, FONAFIFO, and private companies across Latin America. He frequently speaks at industry events, is the author of over 80 scientific articles and 8 books, and serves as Professor at the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. Olman holds a B.Sc. in Forest Engineering, an M.Sc. in Tree Improvement, and a Ph.D. in Forest Genetics.
In Appreciation
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Former Chairman and Co-founderThe late great Eddie O’Connor passed away in 2024. It was Eddie who told Michael Hayden, “you should do that again,” referring to the creation of a Teak fund for institutional investors in 2012 which did not go ahead. Some conversations later, Eddie joined Michael in setting up Scellec Teca Limited, and the rest, as they say, is history. Eddie was renowned for his ability to identify early opportunities in the natural resources space. He created IEP GBP 2 BN of value in Bord na Móna (BnM) as CEO and was founder and CEO of Airtricity until its EUR 1.8 BN sale in 2008. He was also a founding shareholder in Mainstream Renewable Power, which delivered a successful exit for investors with the 75% sale to Aker, valuing Mainstream at EUR 1 BN. Eddie is terribly missed. For those lucky enough to know him well, he was driven, with clear opinions; but was also fun-loving, a fascinating conversationalist, a genuinely good person, and, of course, a brilliant ideas man.