Résumé of John Howard YOUNG
Personal details
Nationality
Contact:
U.S./U.K. (dual national)
[email protected]
Professional
qualifications:
Harvard University:
◦ Doctor of Business Administration – 1987
◦ MBA (Baker Scholar) – 1979
University of Leeds: Bachelor of Arts – 1964
Languages:
English (native), Spanish (excellent), Portuguese (very good),
French (basic)
Summary of skills:
• Business development: With a broad background in business management and development,
marketing, competitiveness and finance, business education, policy analysis, and business
planning, Young has a comprehensive background in economics and business development in
the developed and developing world. As a practitioner and advisor, he has intimate
knowledge of the dynamics and behavior of value chains and the factors affecting
international and domestic commodities trading, especially in developing countries.
• Value chain/market analysis: A skilled practitioner of the ‘value chain approach’, Young
has built on the basic Porter/Monitor model, enriching the concept of the ‘basis of
competition’ at each nexus and developing an innovative method of characterizing the quality
of relationships between chain participants. He brings these tools and an in-depth knowledge
of the challenges associated with change in the developing world.
• Policy: A very experienced international development leader, manager, consultant and
educator, Young has proven ability in analysis and advice to government in policy and
institutional strengthening especially in the agricultural sector in the development context.
Specific areas of expertise include export promotion, pricing, privatization, the transfer of
technology and know-how, and industry development.
• Organizational development: An expert in clusters, regional and local co-operatives,
commodity organizations and producer associations, Young has undertaken extensive
research into organizational theory from which he has developed innovative, practical
consulting tools for use in development.
• Design, development and management of agriculture projects: Building on his private
sector experience as country manager for a multinational firm, Young has helped design and
manage projects in Honduras, Guatemala and Ukraine.
• Training and education: A professor of business administration specializing in international
business policy and strategic planning in an interactive style including the ‘case method’.
Professional experience:
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Résumé of John H Young
2016 to date – Senior Economic Development Specialist, USAID/Central Asia
Focus on private/public partnerships, DCAs, regional connectivity, and the electricity market
in four Central Asian republics.
2013 – Proposal Writer
Carana Corporation
USAID’s “AVANSA” project in Timor-Leste.
African Alliance for a Green Revolution (AGRA)
Project strategy and detailed analysis of cost and benefit.
August 2011 to April 2012
Team Leader
Frankfurt School and IAK Agrar, GLOBAL
Leader of a team of experts assisting the International Finance Corporation with the issues
of ecological and social responsibility in relation to the financing of projects involving cocoa,
soybeans, beef cattle, palm oil and coffee value chains, in particular preparing a set of
commodity manuals intended to guide the performance of borrowers in safeguarding the
ecological and social conditions of value chain actors, especially growers, in the production
of increasingly “responsible” commodities.
June 2009 to August 2011
Senior Economic Growth Advisor
USAID, TIMOR-LESTE
Leader of the USAID mission’s economic growth team, responsible for (i) co-ordinating the
revision of the mission’s economic growth strategy and indicators, building on successful
approaches, (ii) advising on the procurement of new activities consistent with the strategy,
most importantly community development projects in horticulture and perennials designed as
models for the promotion of competitive enterprises as the drivers of accelerated private
sector growth and (iii) representing USAID with counterparts in the Government of TimorLeste and other donors.
2008 to 2009
Advisor to Agriculture Committee of Timorese Parliament
United Nations Development Programme, TIMOR-LESTE
Responsible for advising Committee D of the Timorese Parliament in every respect related to
agribusiness and agro-forestry, in particular (i) analyzing the 2010 budget and indicating its
likely impact on Timorese agriculture, (ii) preparing two “cases” that portray the dilemma
facing farmers faced with a contradictory rice policy and the challenges facing private sector
entrepreneurs interacting with multiple government departments and (iii) organizing an
observational tour of Brazil (Espírito Santo and São Paulo) for committee members to study
protection of the natural environment and the incorporation of renewable fuels into the power
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Résumé of John H Young
industry.
2007
Team leader
AusAID, CAMBODIA
Led a team of sixteen professionals on a ‘design/implement’ project to continue work on the
design of a future AusAID program and initiate implementation of replicable projects in rice,
fruits and vegetables. Formed multi-disciplinary ‘provincial teams’ that engaged with
agribusiness actors, NGOs and the representatives of other donors, also establishing rapport
with departments of agriculture and water resources as a first step to creating a private/public
partnership. Piloted an innovative project to combine subsistence rice with premium quality
rice in the same location while minimizing the risk to vulnerable households. The successful
approach subsequently became the model for two organizations promoting the production
and marketing of premium quality rice.
2006
Consultant
World Bank, CAMBODIA
Performed a financial and economic analysis of impact of the Bank’s investment in the
rehabilitation of ten small irrigation schemes in Kampong Thom and Kratié. Assessed
constraints of a policy based primarily on reconstructing infrastructure and its limitations as
an approach to reducing rural poverty.
2005
Professor
Endicott College, MEXICO
Taught two courses, International Business (undergraduate) and Organizational Management
(graduate).
2005
Consultant
USAID Sustainable Practices in Agriculture for Critical Environments, Cross River State,
NIGERIA
Appraised the project’s economic development strategy, diagnosed the basis of competition
in selected value chains most notably cocoa, identified the principal options for upgrading the
chain, and developed a competitiveness strategy compatible with efforts to preserve the
natural environment. The final report was designed as a training manual for the project team.
2005
Consultant
Inter-Axion Inc., USAID SME division, Carana Corporation, Virginia – USA
Revision, restructuring and the addition of original material to field research and academic
essays on the potential competitiveness of micro- and small firms in developing countries.
2004
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Résumé of John H Young
Consultant
USAID Agricultural Exports and Rural Incomes activity, Chemonics International, EGYPT
Headed a team that performed a bench marking exercise to improve the competitiveness of
Egyptian horticulture, recommending the design and creation of new models of rural
intermediation, sponsorship of an industry forum (cluster) in which progressive elements
would develop a long-term strategy and image for Egyptian products in key markets, shifting
from a trading orientation to marketing vision.
2004
Consultant
USAID The Competitiveness Initiative, J.E. Austin Associates, Virginia – USA
Building on prior collaboration with the spice cluster in Sri Lanka, investigated the
competitiveness of Sri Lankan cinnamon in the Mexican market, identifying four major
socio-economic trends in Mexico that require the Sri Lankans to reposition in order to
maintain competitiveness.
2004
Trainer/Advisor
Inter-Axion Inc. Associates Rural Development (ARD), Vermont – USA
Developed a primer on competitiveness projects, analyzing their current status—as
understood by USAID—drawing lessons from recent experiences and identifying best
practices.
2004
Business Specialist
USAID, Carana Corporation, EL SALVADOR
Advised USAID/El Salvador on its 2004-2008 strategy within the context of USAID’s
Central America and Mexico regional strategy; recommended that USAID spearhead a
national initiative to introduce a ‘culture of innovation’ to El Salvador, initially focusing on
enhancing business coordination as a first step towards increased competitiveness.
2001 – 2002
Consultant
USAID Sri Lanka Competitiveness activity, J.E. Austin Associates, SRI LANKA
Advised two ‘clusters’ representing the tea and spices industries, including growers,
processors, exporters, research and development institutions and relevant government
organizations; helped them analyze and formalize their current competitive position and, on
that foundation, craft a strategic plan to increase industry competitiveness in premium
international markets.
2000 – 2001
Consultant
USAID Carana Corporation, UGANDA
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Résumé of John H Young
Under USAID’s Compete activity, helped form a ‘cluster’ comprising key elements of the
Ugandan coffee industry including growers, exporters and a representative of government.
Drafted elements of a strategy to maintain the premium price for Ugandan robusta coffee in
the face of aggressive competition from Vietnam and a declining market price. Conducted
survey of international coffee roasters to identify the key attributes of Ugandan robustas and
identified concrete proposals for action in Uganda.
2000
Consultant
J.E. Austin Associates, HAÏTI
Conducted a seminar on competitiveness for agribusiness firms in Haïti as the first step in the
creation of one or more clusters.
1998 – 1999
Team leader
USAID ‘new agricultural strategy’, Chemonics International, UKRAINE
Designed and carried out market studies and market research related to the wheat and
produce value chains in two oblasts of Ukraine to increase USAID’s understanding of how
the chains function during the transition from a command to a market economy and to
enlighten growers about strategic options for breaking out of an economic impasse.
1993 – 1998
Chief of party and country representative
ACDI, HONDURAS
As chief of party for ACDI’s team of resident advisors and short-term consultants advising
the Agribusiness Cooperative Finance Company (Finacoop) and service cooperatives
participating in the Business Development for Small Producers activity: Assisted Finacoop to
evolve into a for-profit provider of financial services to cooperatives and farmers, and helped
design the Finacoop foundation offering basic management training and business counsel to
coöperatives and their members. Helped increase the competitiveness of coöperatives to
handle a greater share of farm input market, improve the quality of export coffee, and identify
opportunities in the regional market for vegetables, dairy and other agribusiness products;
Participated in two observational tours to study the US Farm Credit system the other to visit
rural financial institutions in Uruguay, Bolivia, Colombia and Chile. Assisted the revision of
strategy and adapt selected techniques and practices into a ‘Honduran model’.
1992
Consultant
Planning Office of the presidency of Uruguay, Praxis, URUGUAY
Designed an outline agribusiness export policy based on the value chain including: analysis
of the impediments to a competitive export system, the role of trading and export companies,
simplification of bureaucratic procedures, the operation of the ports, and trade-related finance
in the light of Uruguay’s recent export performance. The report recommended initial steps,
supportive of export activities to be taken by the private sector and relevant government
agencies.
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Résumé of John H Young
1992
Consultant
USAID, Carana Corporation, NICARAGUA
Policy analysis of Nicaragua's agricultural sector focusing on seven value chains as the
country was emerging from socialism: an in-depth picture of this segment of the economy
was developed, examining the interplay of the factors involved in bringing agricultural and
food products to market with the purpose of determining their competitiveness and providing
specific policy recommendations to the Ministry of Agriculture in order to improve the
enabling environment.
1991
Consultant
World Bank, Praxis, URUGUAY
Analysis of key problems and design of a multi-discipline project for the Uruguayan meat
value chain, including cattle-raising, packing plant procurement operations, and
international/domestic marketing.
1991
Chief of party
USAID, Carana Corporation, GUATEMALA
Coordinated a seven topic project involving the production by small farmers of nontraditional crops and basic grains under irrigation; specific studies included the potential for
monitoring pesticide residues, the calculation of protection coefficients for a variety of
commodities, the potential for the mobilization of rural savings, a general evaluation of the
future of the basic grain system, and the two following assignments. Evaluation of the
performance and management of state-owned irrigation projects with a view to transferring
ownership to the private sector. Evaluation of the export operation and performance of small
farmer cooperatives exporting non-traditional agricultural products. Preparation of six case
studies illustrating particular problems faced by the cooperatives, and an industry note
describing the U.S. produce value chain. Recommendations included the development of a
produce strategy, integrating marketing, logistics and production; and a set of independent
supervision and monitoring services to police the progress of their goods as they move along
the chain.
1990 – 1991
Consultant
USAID/Honduras, Praxis, HONDURAS, EL SALVADOR
Two policy studies, both to design the privatization of the respective state-owned grain
trading companies, including linkages to the partial integration of the Honduran and
Salvadoran grain trade with world markets through a ‘price band’ mechanism. Created a
strategic profile for different categories of elevator and a grain brokerage unit, an estimate of
financial viability, and a timetable for transfer from state to private ownership. Assessed the
potential for the creation of a private grain trade as a means of improving market access for
farmers and stabilizing supply to consumers, examining specifically the privatization of the
state-owned company. Recommendation included the transformation of the elevators into
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Résumé of John H Young
decentralized, independent, for-profit trading firms.
1988
Consultant
World Bank, ARGENTINA
An organizational evaluation of the Argentine national grain board; through extensive field
interviews and analysis, revealed trading practices that put the grain board at a severe
competitive disadvantage.
1987
Consultant
World Bank, POLAND
An economic and trade-related evaluation of three value chains in the first Eastern European
country to begin the transition to a market economy. Assessed the potential competitiveness
of state-owned enterprises and proposed alternative ways of structuring value chains in order
to improve the viability of successor firms in a market economy.
1980
Consultant
Agribusiness Associates, Cambridge, Massachusetts – USA
Evaluated the strategies of key competitors, and developed an approach to reposition the
client’s business and redesign in detail its organization based on a strategic analysis of the
U.S. flour milling and baking industry, with emphasis on effects of U.S.-Canada Free Trade
Agreement. Analyzed potential for a computerized rural information service, including which
elements of the proposed service constituted a viable business and how they might conflict
with the firm's core activity. Designed a worldwide trading and marketing division from
scratch. Studied a wide range of commodity systems, identified acquisition candidates and
other entry approaches, and developed a detailed design of the global organization including
information flows and control systems.
1989 – 1990
Vice president
TBS Inc., Lexington, Massachusetts – USA
Principal in Agribusiness Group undertaking consulting assignments for US agribusiness and
national associations. Advised the National Corngrowers Association on the nutritional value
and U.S. ‘target’ price of cereals,the support price policy, the relationship between the
‘target’ price for corn, sorghum, barley and rye and the linkages between the grain and sugar
value chains.
1988 – 1989
Vice president
Agribusiness Associates, Waltham, Massachusetts – USA
Strategic analysis for agribusiness companies, responsible for quality of professional analysis
of firm’s assignments.
1987 – 1988
Assistant Professor
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Résumé of John H Young
Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts – USA
Designed and taught three new courses on Policy Business and International Business:
Introduction to International Business, International Business and Business Policy.
1979 – 1982
Vice president
Early & Daniel Industries, Indianapolis, Indiana – USA
Vice president responsible for developing planning system, diversification studies, strategic
audits and management education for a regional grain company.
1972 – 1977
General Manager
Tate+Lyle do Brasil Ltda, Rio de Janeiro – BRAZIL
Country manager for a leading commodities trading and shipping firm. Resolved conflicts
between trading, shipping and sugar technology divisions previously doing business
independently in Brazil. Successfully coordinated the provision of a complete commercial
and technical service to the Brazilian sugar industry.
____________________________________________________________
Contact Information:
Email:
[email protected]
Telephone:
+770·8858·7480
Mail:
John H. Young c/o USAID
7030 Almaty Place
Dulles, Virginia 20189-7031
U.S.A.
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Résumé of John H Young