SMADE board brings construction, engineering and development experience to 2026 agenda

GREAT BAY--The St. Maarten Association for Development Environment (SMADE) has set an ambitious 2026 agenda centered on increasing the participation of qualified local companies and professionals in major public and private development projects, and a closer look at its newly elected board shows a leadership team whose professional backgrounds closely reflect that mission.

SMADE recently identified greater local participation, stronger professional standards, certification, safety, training and closer cooperation between government and the private sector as central priorities. The association also intends to engage the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) on access to recovery and development projects, financial institutions on funding opportunities for contractors and developers, and insurers on products better suited to the construction industry.

The six-member board brings together experience spanning construction, civil and structural engineering, major infrastructure, real estate development, project management and the execution of large public and private projects.

Brian Mingo, Chairman

Chairman Brian Mingo brings a combination of executive management, infrastructure and construction experience to SMADE.

Mingo previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Princess Juliana International Airport, assuming that position in January 2019. His tenure placed him at the center of the airport's recovery and reconstruction following Hurricane Irma, including the rebuilding of the terminal, one of the largest reconstruction projects undertaken in St. Maarten in recent years. Before joining PJIAE, Mingo also held senior positions within the TelEm Group, including serving as General Manager of TelCell.

His professional career has since moved directly into the construction sector. Mingo lists himself as General Manager of Mingo Construction since May 2025, adding hands-on private construction experience to the large-project and corporate management background he developed at the airport and telecommunications company.

Yuri Daal, Secretary

Secretary Yuri Daal brings extensive engineering, design, project-management and property-related experience through his role as Managing Director of Independent Consulting Engineers N.V. (ICE).

ICE is a locally established engineering consultancy with more than four decades of work in St. Maarten and the surrounding Eastern Caribbean. Its services span structural and civil engineering, architectural services, project management and supervision, environmental engineering, physical planning, material testing, foundation engineering and real estate appraisals.

Daal's background therefore provides the board with expertise extending from the early technical and planning stages of development through construction supervision and property valuation.

Sjors Ooteman, Treasurer

Treasurer Sjors Ooteman provides a direct link to St. Maarten's private residential and hospitality development sector.

Ooteman is part of the Engineering and Conception team at FT Construction, which forms part of the wider FT Development Group. FT describes itself as a real estate developer and builder involved in residential and hotel development in St. Maarten, while FT Construction serves as the group's general construction operation.

The group's development portfolio includes projects such as Aqua Resort, Dolce Beach Residence, The Hills Residence, Fourteen and other residential and hospitality developments, giving Ooteman exposure to the engineering, design and execution requirements associated with significant private-sector projects.

Alexander Carchidi, Board Member

Board Member Alexander Carchidi brings experience from the development consultancy, design and construction side of the industry.

Carchidi is identified as Managing Director of Geotec Development N.V., a St. Maarten company operating in development and construction-related services. Public business information associates Geotec with real estate development consultancy, design, construction and general contracting.

That background gives the board additional experience in the process of moving projects from concept and design into physical development, an area particularly relevant to SMADE's objective of creating stronger opportunities for locally established companies and professionals to participate throughout the development chain.

Diego Martinez Pantin, Board Member

Board Member Diego Martinez Pantin adds another private-sector perspective to the SMADE leadership, with experience connected to the broader development and real estate environment in the region.

While less detailed information about his professional activities is readily available in public sources compared with several other board members, his participation in SMADE adds to a leadership team that brings together experience across construction, infrastructure, engineering, property development and related commercial activity.

Michiel Witteveen, Board Member

Board Member Michiel Witteveen brings some of the board's strongest experience in large-scale civil works and infrastructure.

Witteveen is a director associated with Windward Roads, as well as Central Mix Concrete and construction operations serving Saba and St. Eustatius. Windward Roads specializes in complete infrastructure projects and has worked across St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius. Its activities include road construction and maintenance, asphalt and concrete production, general construction, harbour and civil works, and design-build projects.

The company's project history includes infrastructure ranging from roads and utilities to airport, port and other major civil works. Windward Roads has also participated in public reconstruction and development projects in St. Maarten, placing Witteveen's experience firmly within the type of large-project environment SMADE hopes to make increasingly accessible to qualified local businesses.

Taken together, the composition of the new board reflects the sector SMADE represents. Its members bring experience from major infrastructure, engineering consultancy, private real estate development, design, general contracting, construction management and large-project execution.

SMADE has said it wants greater collaboration among contractors, developers, government, the NRPB, banks, insurers and other stakeholders, while raising standards in certification, training, professionalism and safety. It argues that expanding meaningful participation by qualified local companies can help retain expertise and economic activity in St. Maarten, generate employment and build greater local capacity to undertake the country's future development.

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