Jon Vandenheuvel is the Managing Director and CEO of AfricaAtlantic, an emerging market development firm based in Maryland that is currently organizing business demonstration projects in commercial agriculture, housing, and health in Ghana, West Africa.Africa Atlantic’s flagship project is an 18-month franchise farming demonstration program involving modern irrigation near LakeVolta in Ghana that will commence in January, 2010.
AfricaAtlantic relentlessly pursues strategic and operational efficiencies on the ground in West Africa that will lead to a safer, more reliable investment environment. Key to its success is the willingness to do the hard task of organizing the working poor, setting up demonstration projects in order to test and prove business models in villages and factories, and working with local leaders to advance specific, tangible business objectives.In addition, Africa Atlantic takes a global perspective to meeting these challenges, establishing strong business alliances in the Middle East and Europe, as well as the U.S., to lay the groundwork for full global market integration for African businesses and their international partners.
By working with national and local governments, the local business community, other multi-national corporations, as well as universities, the religious community and other NGO’s, AfricaAtlantic and its partners take a comprehensive approach to business planning to ensure the highest probability of sustainable performance and return on investment.
Jon’s passion for increasing constructive U.S. engagement in Africa has expanded over the past decade, starting with a U.S. congressional delegation mission to Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Morocco in 2001. Since entering private business, Jon has helped clients in several African countries and has further enhanced his expertise in U.S.–Africa business strategy and networking through executive education programs at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.Africa Atlantic is an active member of the Corporate Council on Africa, the BWI Business Partnership, the Ghana-USA Chamber of Commerce, and the South Africa Chamber of Commerce in America.
Jon has a masters degree from JohnsHopkinsUniversity and an undergraduate degree from Wheaton College (IL). Jon, his wife Vicki, and three daughters will be relocating to Ghana, West Africa in August, 2009. Jon works from offices in Maryland, Ghana, and the United Arab Emirates.
