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Resume and Professional References

Tourism    Travel    Hotels    Airlines    Restaurants    Agents    Forums    Things to Do



Education:

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
LASIR (Latin American Studies / International Relations)
Aug 1988 – Dec 1990

UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA BOLIVIANA
La Paz, Bolivia
Communications / International Relations
Feb 1987 – Dec 1987

CONCORDIA COLLEGE
Moorhead, MN
History / Political Science
Aug 1984 – Dec 1986

AMERICAN COOPERATIVE HIGH SCHOOL
National Honor Society Graduate, May 1984
La Paz, Bolivia


Work Experience:

VPO SERVICIOS BILINGÜES
(Owner, VPO Bilingual Services)
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Self-Employed Translator / Interpreter
January 2008 – Present

Written translation, proofreading and editing of medical, geological, legal, technical, aeronautic, petrochemical, educational, scientific, literary and other types of documents. Verbal interpretation at meetings, seminars, conferences, conventions and other types of events. Voiceovers for radio, television, documentaries and commercials.
Languages: English to Spanish/Spanish to English/Portuguese to Spanish/Portuguese to English

TALENTO BILINGUAL SERVICES
Fresno, California, USA
Self-Employed Translator / Interpreter
August 2005 – December 2007

Member American Translator’s Association
Written translation, proofreading and editing of medical, geological, legal, technical, aeronautic, petrochemical, educational, scientific, literary and other types of documents. Verbal interpretation at meetings, seminars, conferences, conventions and other types of events.
Languages: English to Spanish/Spanish to English/Portuguese to Spanish/Portuguese to English

VPO SERVICIOS BILINGÜES
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Self-Employed Translator / Interpreter
October 1998 – June 2005

Registered Translator US Embassy, La Paz, Bolivia, US Consulate, Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Written translation, proofreading and editing of medical, geological, legal, technical, aeronautic, petrochemical, educational, scientific, literary and other types of documents. Verbal interpretation at meetings, seminars, conferences, conventions and other types of events. Voiceovers for radio, television, documentaries and commercials.
Languages: English to Spanish/Spanish to English/Portuguese to Spanish/Portuguese to English

BUGANVILLAS HOTEL CONDOMINIO
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
http://www.hotelbuganvillas.com
Contract Marketing Consultant
Jan 2000 – Apr 2001

One of the largest 5-star Hotel / Condominium Complexes in South America
Structured and organized new condominium sales and marketing office. Trained sales and customer service personnel (4 people). Defined and carried out sales, publicity and promotional marketing plans for condominium sales and rental, hotel reservations, event services and the hotel’s exclusive social and sports club for non-residents and guests. Designed bilingual promotional brochures and materials. Aided in planning hotel inauguration. Established publicity, press and media relations.

EMPRESA MADERERA BERNA
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Head of International Trade, Non-Traditional Wood Species
Feb 1997 – Oct 1997

Restructured and reorganized international lumber and finished wood products sales office, personnel, computerized inventory and sales databases, and the flow of export documentation as directed by new owners/management. Re-trained and reorganized 8 non-traditional lumber sales staff along with the Head of International Trade, Traditional Wood Species. Ensured sales and export staff coordinated closely with forestry engineerings and production personnel to ensure sufficient inventory and timely shipments to international customers. Participated in weekly meetings with management and forestry engineers. Met monthly with owners/managers of other lumber companies and members of the Bolivian Chamber of Forestry to analyze and ensure accurate understanding of Bolivia's new "Ley Forestal" (Forestry Law) as this industry had just recently been capitalized in January 1997.

BUREAU VERITAS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Houston CRE c/o BVNA, INC.
Houston, Texas, USA
http://www.bureauveritas.com
Houston CRE Supervisor / Commercial Analyst
Feb 1995 – Sep 1995

Supervised personnel and export inspection staff to ensure the timely, accurate and proper conduct of export inspections and documentation, most of which were under international government contracts. Cultivated relationships with new and existing customers. Hired and trained office staff and contracted/trained export inspectors concerning company policies and procedures, Quality Assurance manual and procedures, export inspections and documentation. Reported to and coordinated all inspection documentation Miami CRE Manager and staff, as well as Stamford Human Resources Office.

CRISIS INTERVENTION OF HOUSTON, A United Way Agency
Houston, TX 77098
http://www.crisishotline.org
Hispanic Outreach Coordinator
Aug 1993 – Feb 1995

Responsible for the operation and expansion of the Spanish Crisis Hotline, recruitment of bilingual volunteers, committee members and directors, and promotion of Spanish Hotline services. Developed and implemented promotional strategies involving extensive public speaking, presentations at fairs and expositions, television and radio appearances, and print promotions. Made over 125 speeches and presentations in English and Spanish, at companies, civic groups, churches, schools, social service agencies, law enforcement agencies, and television and radio audiences. Enlisted cooperation and coordination with the police and fire departments, mayor’s office, city council, churches, companies, governmental agencies and non-profit agencies.

CETRO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Houston, TX 77042
International Trade Services Coordinator
Apr 1991 – Oct 1992 Houston, Oct 1992 - May 1993 Miami

Projects in Houston - Texas, Miami - Florida, Mexico City and Cancun - Mexico
Designed and presented service proposals and international bids. Negotiated national and international purchase / sales trade contracts. Supervised and coordinated quotes, purchasing, financing, freight forwarding, inspections, customs, suppliers, public and media relations, and other general services for national and international customers including oil companies, hotels, marinas, golf courses, etc. In Miami responsible specifically for project coordination between purchasing agents, freight forwarders, import/export agents; payments to suppliers through international letters of credit; assignment and control of ocean, air and land shipments from manufacturers worldwide to the construction sites; status reports to main office and customers’ personnel; translation and interpretation as needed.



Community Involvement:

Sigma Delta Pi, National Spanish Honor Society http://www.sigmadeltapi.org
USAID Leadership Center of the Americas - Trainer
Houston Inter-American Chamber of Commerce http://www.cityofhouston.com/areachambers.htm
Houston Bolivian Association, Board of Directors http://www.kantutahouston.com
Hispanic Women in Leadership, Houston http://www.hwil.org
Houston Citizens Police Academy Graduate http://www.houstontx.gov/police/vip_hcpa.htm
Houston Police (HPD)Command Officers Association, HPD Mental Health Association
HPD Positive Interaction Programs, HPD Women’s Advisory Group
United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast http://www.uwtgc.org
Santa Cruz International Women’s Association
Operation Smile – Volunteer Interpreter http://www.operationsmile.org



Excerpts from Letters of Reference:
(Other References Available Upon Request)

Charis spends the majority of her time fulfilling speaking engagements and believes that increasing a person's awareness of services available increases their ability to combat loss of hope...

David Jobe
Supervisor, Crisis Hotline of Houston

Charis has dedicated herself to the improvement of community life. Through compassion and understanding she has positively influenced many people. Most apparent is her positive attitude and her ability to motivate others.

Manuel F. Zamora
President, Houston Police Department Police Command Officers Association

Charis... your contributions will help us give hope for a renewed life to people whom, unfortunately, have suffered injuries as a consequence of criminal acts.

Rhea Borda, U.S. Consul, Santa Cruz, Bolivia
President, Jessika Borda Foundation for Victims of Delinquency, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

[Charis] consistently displayed an enthusiasm and sense of responsibility seldom seen in the average employee. She often went beyond what was expected of her...

Alan R. Parrish
Sergeant, Houston Police Department

Charis provides high quality services responding to requests in a very punctual manner and maintaining the confidentiality of our documents at all times.

Bruno Alarcon
Citibank N.A., Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Charis completed our legal documentation even more quickly than expected and this was one of the factors that contributed to the success of our presentation...

Jay Sánchez, Transredes, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

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