David Mainenti, MAC Interim Executive Director, brings over twelve years experience building, leading, and advising international organizations and more particularly through complex restructurings, expansions, and corporate development plans. David has performed business process analyses for a wide range of Fortune 500 companies, assessed management information systems and internal control environments; developed reengineering recommendations, and implemented solutions to support organizational vision, mission, and synergy. He has successfully designed and implemented corporate systems and structures that reduced risk exposure and produced positive P&L effects. David has worked closely with senior officers and directors to align programs and functions, which exceeded organizational goals and expectations. He has successfully designed, implemented, and directed multi-million dollar accounting, finance, budget, reporting, audit, and taxation processes across geographically dispersed operating units. David has also participated in the development, writing, and administration of over $25 million in grants and contracts, and is an expert level, multi-platform computer user who can develop and implement network, hardware, and software solutions. David holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting from Villanova University and a Master of Science in Chinese Medicine. Focusing his efforts on not-for-profit organizations since 1997, David was most recently the former MAC Finance Director/CFO from 2004-2007.
MAC Interim Director
- Thread starter PeterIMA
- Start date
A better question might be whether David Mainenti is qualiifed to lead the MAC as the Executive Director? Does he possess any experience working in the aquarium trade? Does he have any knowledge concerning collection methods, shipping methods, or with mariculture of marine organisms? Does he understand the economics through the chain of custody particularly the poverty faced by the fish collectors? Does he have administrative experience involving managing employees? Does he listen to their advice (a failing of the previous Executive Director). Does someone trained in aquapuncture become sensitive to the Filipino or Indonesian cultures? Does he speak any language other than English?
Why was he chosen, when several much better qualified candidates applied for the position? Last of all, I am told this position is not "Interim", so my question is whether the trade is willing to work with such a person, who's only real qualification seems to be that he was the MAC's Finance Director for about 4 or 5 years. My understanding is that the MAC's programs have been a failure and that their finances have declined precipitously.
Peter Rubec
Why was he chosen, when several much better qualified candidates applied for the position? Last of all, I am told this position is not "Interim", so my question is whether the trade is willing to work with such a person, who's only real qualification seems to be that he was the MAC's Finance Director for about 4 or 5 years. My understanding is that the MAC's programs have been a failure and that their finances have declined precipitously.
Peter Rubec
clarionreef
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- San Francisco
In the movie I Robot [starring Will Smith] people were shocked to finally see that the robots were capable of having heir own, seperate agenda.
Despite his warnings and being labeled as a emotional character, a loose cannon and a non team player in general, Smith is vindicated when the robots motives become abundantly clear and they begin to rampage.
He says something like... "Somehow the words I told you so don't quite do enough, do they?"
Whats different here is that there were many people who knew what was up for years....but few who would say it out loud for fear of some possible threat to their self interests.
That means that if telling an emperor he has no clothes becomes unpopular for little self motives, who is left to tell the truth or care about things greater then the self or.... oh I don't know.... the problems in the industry behind the hobby?
Oh well...where was I? Oh yes, back to...NORCALKAYAKANGLERS.COM
Steve
Despite his warnings and being labeled as a emotional character, a loose cannon and a non team player in general, Smith is vindicated when the robots motives become abundantly clear and they begin to rampage.
He says something like... "Somehow the words I told you so don't quite do enough, do they?"
Whats different here is that there were many people who knew what was up for years....but few who would say it out loud for fear of some possible threat to their self interests.
That means that if telling an emperor he has no clothes becomes unpopular for little self motives, who is left to tell the truth or care about things greater then the self or.... oh I don't know.... the problems in the industry behind the hobby?
Oh well...where was I? Oh yes, back to...NORCALKAYAKANGLERS.COM
Steve
"That means that if telling an emperor he has no clothes becomes unpopular for little self motives, who is left to tell the truth or care about things greater then the self or.... oh I don't know.... the problems in the industry behind the hobby? "
Ummmm,........
Northern California kayak anglers!
Ummmm,........
Northern California kayak anglers!
The code is easy to remember Hi everyone.
My name is Dave Mainenti. I am the MAC interim executive director.
I am here to talk candidly about MAC and our plans going forward.
Lets try to talk clearly and respectfully towards one another.
So... fire away with your questions.
Dave
PS:i wonder if aquapuncture would really work... :lol:
My name is Dave Mainenti. I am the MAC interim executive director.
I am here to talk candidly about MAC and our plans going forward.
Lets try to talk clearly and respectfully towards one another.
So... fire away with your questions.
Dave
PS:i wonder if aquapuncture would really work... :lol:
Hi Dave,
Thanks for taking the time to participate in this forum.
My name is Jaime Baquero and I've been following closely the trade of marine ornamentals coming from the Philippines to North America. I would like to know what's the situation in that country regarding MAC's program.
Also, I would like to know what is happening with the cyanide detection test. Do you have any news about it?
Thanks in advance
Jaime
Thanks for taking the time to participate in this forum.
My name is Jaime Baquero and I've been following closely the trade of marine ornamentals coming from the Philippines to North America. I would like to know what's the situation in that country regarding MAC's program.
Also, I would like to know what is happening with the cyanide detection test. Do you have any news about it?
Thanks in advance
Jaime
Thanks Mitch and hello Jamie.
To answer the easier question - MAC is currently in negotations with Reefcheck Foundation to put out an RFP for the design of a new CDT. $100k will be put up, $50k from each organization, using grant funds. While there is no guarantee a workable test can and will be designed, we are contractually obligated, through a grant with IFC, to pursue this. It is also important for MAC to do this to build credibility. So we are going to put it out for bid by year end.
On to the more difficult question.
MAC's programs in the Philippines over the past six years has been tumultous. Four country directors, 3 lawsuits, poor decision making in terms of site selection, bad staffing decisions, underestimation of the timeline to be prepared for certification, too much hand-holding which makes exit difficult, and missing the roving collector issue entirely in the beginning. It has not been pretty at times.
Yet, it seems that over the past year we have begun to see some positive signs. We have spent an enormous amount of money there, so we owe it to our donors and to ourselves to see what we can deliver there. One thing we are starting to see is awareness of the consevation value of MAC standards; the other is economic impact to the collection sites. They are getting so much training and are learning skills they would never have developed otherwise. The problem is that neither results in direct impact to the industry.
We have certified product being shipped out of the Philippines - but there is 30-60% leakage as not enough time was spent linking certified exporters in the Philippines with certified importers in the US and Europe, so people sell certified fish to non certified importers, and the chain is broken. Worse, we made promises to importers and retailers in the past about supply coming, and it was way too early. Now that supply is coming, interest is down, and quality, which was promised to be far superior, is the same, or even times worse. We should have been more straight up with people - but here we are.
To be totally honest, its a very diffcult job that we have set up for ourselves, to step in and try to change an industry that may or may not want to change.
However, as with any endeavor, if you set out to do something, its worth trying to do it. And thats what we are doing. We just hired a new country director and a new COO and part of their responsibilities are to realign the team there in such a way so as to spend the grant funds we have remaining to develop a proof of concept for ornamentals coming out of the country. I have to tell you, its a difficult job, and i dont really know how its going to play out. What i do know is we are going to try one more time and this timewe are going to reach out to industry and stakeholders.
So, if you have any advice, let me know. We are in listening mode right now.
Regards,
Dave
To answer the easier question - MAC is currently in negotations with Reefcheck Foundation to put out an RFP for the design of a new CDT. $100k will be put up, $50k from each organization, using grant funds. While there is no guarantee a workable test can and will be designed, we are contractually obligated, through a grant with IFC, to pursue this. It is also important for MAC to do this to build credibility. So we are going to put it out for bid by year end.
On to the more difficult question.
MAC's programs in the Philippines over the past six years has been tumultous. Four country directors, 3 lawsuits, poor decision making in terms of site selection, bad staffing decisions, underestimation of the timeline to be prepared for certification, too much hand-holding which makes exit difficult, and missing the roving collector issue entirely in the beginning. It has not been pretty at times.
Yet, it seems that over the past year we have begun to see some positive signs. We have spent an enormous amount of money there, so we owe it to our donors and to ourselves to see what we can deliver there. One thing we are starting to see is awareness of the consevation value of MAC standards; the other is economic impact to the collection sites. They are getting so much training and are learning skills they would never have developed otherwise. The problem is that neither results in direct impact to the industry.
We have certified product being shipped out of the Philippines - but there is 30-60% leakage as not enough time was spent linking certified exporters in the Philippines with certified importers in the US and Europe, so people sell certified fish to non certified importers, and the chain is broken. Worse, we made promises to importers and retailers in the past about supply coming, and it was way too early. Now that supply is coming, interest is down, and quality, which was promised to be far superior, is the same, or even times worse. We should have been more straight up with people - but here we are.
To be totally honest, its a very diffcult job that we have set up for ourselves, to step in and try to change an industry that may or may not want to change.
However, as with any endeavor, if you set out to do something, its worth trying to do it. And thats what we are doing. We just hired a new country director and a new COO and part of their responsibilities are to realign the team there in such a way so as to spend the grant funds we have remaining to develop a proof of concept for ornamentals coming out of the country. I have to tell you, its a difficult job, and i dont really know how its going to play out. What i do know is we are going to try one more time and this timewe are going to reach out to industry and stakeholders.
So, if you have any advice, let me know. We are in listening mode right now.
Regards,
Dave
Dave,
Thank you for your efforts and response. My suggestion would be to not ignore Ecommerce this time around. It is here to stay and growing. To not let Ecommerce sell MAC certified livestock--as "certified" will hinder the advanced hobbyist's interest (and mine ) in your organization. It is this group that is educated enough to support you.The newbie may be just as caring but not yet educated to the supply chain. I think as the hobbyist advances, he/she becomes partially an Ecommerce buyer and potentially an MAC supporter. To limit your efforts to retail would ignore both of these groups and damper my interest to support your organization. Do not let this become an Etail vs. Retail issue, or in my opinion, it will not succeed.
Thank you, Dr. Race Foster
DrsFosterSmith.com
LiveAquaria.com
Etropicals.com
Peteducation.com
Thank you for your efforts and response. My suggestion would be to not ignore Ecommerce this time around. It is here to stay and growing. To not let Ecommerce sell MAC certified livestock--as "certified" will hinder the advanced hobbyist's interest (and mine ) in your organization. It is this group that is educated enough to support you.The newbie may be just as caring but not yet educated to the supply chain. I think as the hobbyist advances, he/she becomes partially an Ecommerce buyer and potentially an MAC supporter. To limit your efforts to retail would ignore both of these groups and damper my interest to support your organization. Do not let this become an Etail vs. Retail issue, or in my opinion, it will not succeed.
Thank you, Dr. Race Foster
DrsFosterSmith.com
LiveAquaria.com
Etropicals.com
Peteducation.com
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