About Gobez International

Barry is a combat veteran, with two tours in Iraq, who served as a US Air Force pilot and US Army Special Operations paratrooper. He traded agricultural commodities for a global agribusiness firm and launched a non-profit in the Gamo highlands of Ethiopia fighting poverty. Barry is conversant in Amharic, Wolaytta, Gamugna, and Spanish. He holds an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurial Management from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, an MA in International Security Studies from The Fletcher School, Tufts University, and a BS in Biology, Minor in Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy.

Kurt is a combat veteran, with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, who served as a US Marine Corps helicopter pilot on multiple airframes. He has led disaster recovery teams and represents Gobez International in the Balkans and the EU. He holds a BBA in Business Administration and General Management from Texas A&M University.

Brent is a US Army veteran and facilitates foreign investments in Africa, the Near East, Central/South America, and the US. He founded Food Development Corp International, Food Development Corp of Texas, and Saudi American Agriculture Company, developing agribusiness operations in Libya, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Sudan, South Sudan, Belize, Nicaragua, and the US. He holds a MSc in Agricultural Economics and Agronomy from Brigham Young University.

Scott is a combat veteran, with tours in Afghanistan and Colombia, who served as a US Army Green Beret (Special Forces) and US Marine Corps Infantryman. He managed risk in the financial sector and founded The Cormorant Group. Scott is fluent in Spanish and conversant in Arabic. He holds a BS in Economics from the University of Houston.

Earl is a US Army veteran who provided management support to the first American delegation to lead resurgence of Sudan’s agricultural sector since the US removed sanctions on Sudan. He is the owner of GreenEfficient Solutions, a management consulting firm in renewable energy and fuel support. He holds a BA in History from University of California, Santa Barbara and an MA in Management and Supervision from Central Michigan University. 

Phillip is an attorney whose practice primarily includes asset management and risk analysis.  He has worked with domestic and international companies to control and monetize assets around the world.  Phillip is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and, as a registered patent attorney, has experience acquiring patent and trademark rights.  He obtained his law degree from South Texas College of Law and his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Creighton University.

Selamawit is a musician who is well connected in Ethiopian media. Selamawit speaks fluent Amharic and English and is an expert in community engagement. Selamawit builds international relationships through music, radio, television, and film.

We are partnering at the Minister level to achieve their goals to move East African countries forward.  We are currently addressing problems with various Ministries in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia

Focused on migration solutions, illegal fishing, poaching, and dumping in Subsaharan Africa, we work with NGOs and national institutions to tackle challenges in African Parks.