Gerardo Rivera Chaparro

• Project: Coffee fruit rot pathogen identification
• Prepared growth mediums (PDA, PDB & V8)
• Recollection of diseased tissue samples
• Purification of fungal isolates
• Sterilization of lab equipment & utensils

• Delivered introductory biology lab courses to undergraduate students
• Generated collective proposal to redesign & update the botany course offered to undergraduate students.
• Oversaw classes of up to 50 students in biology
• Checked assignments, proctored tests, and provided grades according to university standards
• Organized experiment and safety protocols
• Mentored students through office hours and one-on-one communication
• Documented attendance and completed assignments to maintain full class and student records
• Prepared lessons according to course outline to convey required material and deepen student understanding of subject matter
• Streamed classes online and uploaded videos for later viewing by distance and absent students

• Responsible for horticultural practices of all plant inventory
• Minimized material input waste
• Drove cargo transit vans
• Cashier & sales representative (30+ customers daily)
• Supervised in person orders and deliveries
• Proper & safe application of pesticides & fertilizers
• Established of watering & fertilizing regimens to minimize consumption by ≈ 20%

• Owner & operator of Garden Excellence LLC, a landscape design company
• Served as principal stakeholder over organization's complete operations
• Experience using QuickBooks for general company accounting combined with consulting with a private accountant professional
• Rendered designs with manual and computer-aided methods
• Sourced high-quality plant material and other supplies to complete new installations
• Put together realistic budgets based upon costs and fees
• Negotiated and fulfilled maintenance contracts for ongoing care
• Completed special projects such as recreational designs, site rehabilitations & residential green areas
• Consulted with customers and analyzed locations to develop concepts
• Led screening, hiring and staff scheduling to maintain compliance with group goals
• Monitored staff performance, providing final-say assessment over inquiries

• Directed phases for trialing germplasm of tropical pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) for resistance to the phytopathogenic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina
• Selection of starting varieties of Cucurbita moschata, the most common commercially grown ones in Puerto Rico
• Gathering of sample, preparation of growing medium and successive growth of fungal inoculum
• Application techniques for inoculation
• Created logistics for field and over 200 potted specimens
• Field harvesting methods of tropical pumpkins (over 3 acres plots)
• Preparation and storage of seeds for commercialization and research purposes
• Germination of seed germplasm

Appointed after a vacancy as a Municipal Legislator and Minority Leader for the Citizen's Victory Movement party (Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana – MVC) for Rincón, Puerto Rico. Bringing oversight to the town's incumbent government.

• Member of Oversight Commissions: Treasury; Appointments; Legal & Regulations; Education, Arts & Culture; Social Welfare, Auditing & Ethics; Health, Environmental Quality and Natural Resources; Youth, Recreation and Sports; Decoration, Public Works and Transit.
• Policy Analysis: Analyzed potential impact of policies on the community and conducting thorough research to support informed decision-making.
• Community Outreach: Built relationships with constituents, attending community meetings, and actively seeking input from residents to represent their interests effectively and ensure transparent governance.
• Conflict Resolution: Mediated disputes and found common ground among constituents, stakeholders, and fellow legislators to foster cooperation and resolve issues amicably.
• Strategic Planning & Doing: Developed long-term strategic plans for municipal growth and sustainability, considering factors like economic development, environmental impact, and quality of life for residents.
• Financial Resource Allocation: Identified and secured funding sources, grants, and partnerships to support local initiatives and community development.

As the representative for the political party (Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana – MVC), I am charged with supervising and evaluating all and any electoral transactions and processes done by the local Electoral Inscription Board for the Municipality of Rincón (Precinct 039). This in accordance with the current Puerto Rican Electoral Code and guidelines.

• Regulated voting centers and seven precinct subunits
• Examined and approved hundreds of voter transactions