Our Firm
Ambassador Hans H. Hertell
Founder & Chief Executive
Officer
George Benjamin Villar
Co-Founder & Chief Operating
Officer
An attorney with over 30 years’ experience in government, public affairs, business, and banking, Ambassador Hans H. Hertell was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic on November 8, 2001. When he finished his tour on May 1, 2007, Ambassador Hertell was the second longest serving U.S. Ambassador and he was awarded the prestigious Cobb Award for Excellency in Diplomacy by the Department of State.
Ambassador Hertell has been involved in infrastructure projects all over the world. Ambassador Hertell was principally responsible for, among others, the development of the 263 MW electric LNG co-generation facility in Puerto Rico (the "EcoEléctrica Project") and the 500 MW electric fossil fired facility in Colombia (the "Northern Energy Node Project"). Additionally, Ambassador Hertell is directly involved in free economic zones development ("Induparks"), power projects ("Northern Energy Node") Mining projects ("Colcco") and distributed generation projects ("Exxius").
Before being an Ambassador, Mr. Hertell’s experience includes being the Managing Director for Latin America and the Caribbean for Black, Kelly, Scruggs and Healey, a government and public affairs company based in Washington, D.C. He was President of a publicly traded company, Ponce Federal Bank (NYSE), and a founding partner of the third largest full service law firm in Puerto Rico, Goldman, Antonetti, Ferraiuoli, Axtmayer and Hertell. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. Amb. Hertell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University of New York, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Puerto Rico.
George Benjamin Villar possesses unparalleled expertise across the finance, construction, and mining industries. A native of Brooklyn, New York, George began his career in union construction as an apprentice, progressing to journeyman, foreman, and eventually general foreman. He later earned a master’s degree in Civil Engineering and an MBA with a concentration in structured finance. Over the years, George has managed and contributed to the design, construction, and development of over $2.7 billion worth of commercial, residential, and industrial projects in New York, with individual projects as large as $400 million.
Recently, George successfully secured a $2.2 billion rare earth element processing agreement for Chimera Minerals Inc., a subsidiary of Chimera Capital's Circular Mining Company. Additionally, he oversees multiple mining claims that are in due diligence and contract negotiations.
With 35 years of experience, George has held various executive positions, including Project Manager, Senior Project Manager, Operations Director, Owner’s Representative, and Bank Representative for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), as well as for domestic and international banks such as BNB/Alma Bank.
Throughout his career, George has directed projects and arranged financing in diverse sectors, including Science & Technology, Retail, Luxury Residential, Hospitality, U.S. Government & Defense Contractors, Commercial & Financial, Broadcast & Media, Healthcare, Historical Renovations, Mission Critical, Laboratories, and Gold Mining.
Charles Birnbaum
Chief Investment Officer
Charles Birnbaum has a rich and varied business background in capital markets, bond trading, top tier management, financial market industry analytics and financial services. Charles Birnbaum was a Head Trader for a Wall Street specialty bond trading firm that transacted over a billion dollars in trades annually. In that capacity he was in charge of overseeing the trading floor, as well as trading the firm’s largest portfolio.
Charles also managed all aspects of the trading process, including identifying trading needs, building allocations, trade execution and ensuring the timeliness, completeness, and accuracy of all trades. He actively monitored primary and secondary markets for trade opportunities and maintained strict compliance with all investment policies and company specific guidelines.
Charles has brokered sustainable energy and natural gas transactions in hundreds of millions of dollars to large industrial institutions, and developed a funding company factoring energy accounts receivables as another financial solution platform to create liquidity. Today, Charles assists in the effort to continuously improve the capability and scalability of Chimera’s investment processes.
Frank E. Orenstein
Managing Director, Hospitality, Gaming & Resorts Development
Kerri Lee Darling
Partner, Technology & Innovations - Chimera Minerals Inc.
Mr. Orenstein’s career encompasses many landmark events in the hotel industry. As Vice President of Development for Four Seasons Hotels Limited, Mr. Orenstein initially assisted in developing the original Four Seasons’ concept and developed the first Four Seasons’ properties in the United States, Canada and Europe including the Four Seasons on Hyde Park Corner in London. As a member of the Executive Committee, he was instrumental in Four Seasons’ significant growth around the world.
In 1979, Mr. Orenstein left Four Seasons to become a hotel developer enjoying considerable success throughout North America and Europe. His many successful transactions include: the development and sale of Toronto’s prestigious five-star King Edward Hotel; the development of six commercial hotels in partnership with Novotel Division of Accor, S.A.; the acquisition of over 5,000 hotel rooms for one of North America’s largest budget operators; the development and sale of a luxury budget chain and the sale of a five-star resort in Jamaica.
Frank Orenstein also carried led the expansion of Days Inns in Canada and Europe and the acquisition for Grand Heritage Hotels of the Four Seasons’ position in the Clift Hotel San Francisco. Mr. Orenstein has been responsible for the development of over $1 billion in hotel real estate and has raised in excess of $400 million in equity for various hotel related projects.
Mr. Orenstein has also recently completed the development of the $100 million Four Seasons Resort and Vacation Club in Scottsdale Arizona. The site selection, concept, development and financing was undertaken by Mr. Orenstein who was a partner with Four Seasons and other private investors. Mr. Orenstein subsequently became Vice-Chairman of the Park Plaza Hotels and Resort in partnership with Olympus/Hicks Muse. The partnership was responsible for expansion of the Park Plaza and Park Inn brands world-wide and subsequently sold their interest in the 200 hotel chain portfolio to Carson Hotels and Resorts. Mr. Orenstein is a graduate of Toronto & Queens University Law School and resides in Palm Beach, Florida.
Robert Donnelli
Managing Director, Structured Finance & Biomedical Sciences
Robert has a distinguished career spanning over 25 years in the financial industry, with a focus on technologies, emerging market strategies, and the healthcare sector. As a results-oriented entrepreneur, he has built a reputation for identifying and capitalizing on cutting-edge opportunities in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and digital healthcare. His expertise extends to investment strategies that bridge technology and finance, enabling companies to innovate and thrive in fast-evolving markets.
As a former partner of the Stonegate Berkeley West Arbitrage Fund, Robert demonstrated his ability to manage complex investment strategies, driving significant returns for his clients. He was also a founding partner of Tuscano Partners, a private investment research firm that specialized in sourcing transformative technologies, with a particular emphasis on healthcare innovations. This role allowed him to combine his deep financial expertise with a keen eye for disruptive technologies in the medical field.
Robert’s leadership experience includes serving as CEO of the Boloto Group, an investment education and technology incubator dedicated to empowering consumer markets. In this capacity, he fostered the development of innovative solutions, guiding startups through incubation to commercialization. His strategic vision helped these companies navigate the complexities of emerging markets while building sustainable business models.
Before his work in technology and healthcare, Robert was a partner in several notable firms. At Riptide Trading, he played a key role in advancing equity and equity options execution and order management software. As a partner in Mercury Shamrock, an electronic equities market-making firm, Robert contributed to the firm’s success in navigating the rapidly evolving electronic trading landscape. He also served as a primary equity options market maker on the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), where he honed his expertise in market dynamics and trading strategies.
Throughout his career, Robert has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead, innovate, and deliver results in highly competitive industries. His diverse background in finance, technology, and healthcare positions him as a visionary leader with a proven track record of success.
Kerri Dalpe Darling plays a key role in advancing Chimera’s success in mining and strategic metal extraction in Circular Mining. With a deep understanding of mining, refinery technologies, and resource extraction, Kerri leads a high-performing team at Chimera Minerals Inc., driving growth in mining operations, developing new proprietary beneficiation technologies and strategic partnerships.
Her extensive knowledge of project finance and her ability to navigate the complexities of the mining industry ensure effective project delivery and expansion in the extraction of critical metals.
Kerri is instrumental in securing new business opportunities for Chimera in both mining and strategic metal markets, focusing on clients in need of project debt and equity finance for resource development and extraction projects.
In addition to her role in business growth, Kerri supports Chimera’s Board of Directors in creating strategic account plans, providing industry insights, and coordinating with strategic partners within Chimera’s network. She ensures client requirements are accurately reflected in Chimera’s mining solutions and proposals, making her an invaluable asset to Chimera’s continued leadership in the extraction and refinement of strategic metals.
Paul Drexel
Managing Director, Sustainable Energy & Solar Technologies
Paul Drexel brings over 25 years of expertise in the acquisition, design, construction, and commissioning of large-scale multi-megawatt solar projects. With a wealth of experience in renewable energy, Paul has been instrumental in the successful execution of numerous high-capacity solar installations. He is particularly known for his innovative approach to project optimization, having implemented Continuous Improvement (CI) monitoring systems that involve data collection and performance analysis to ensure projects deliver their expected returns and operate at peak efficiency.
Paul has also made significant contributions to the design phase of solar projects by reducing the acreage footprint, streamlining the number of inverter stations, and cutting related costs, all while maintaining project capacity and performance. His ability to optimize designs without compromising output or functionality has been a key factor in maximizing the financial viability of these large-scale renewable energy initiatives.
Paul’s career began in New York as a supply chain commodity trader, where he developed deep relationships with clients across China and other international markets. His expertise in global trade allowed him to facilitate the acquisition of goods for numerous companies, with a particular focus on sourcing from Asia. This global experience, combined with his fluency in navigating the complexities of international supply chains, has proven invaluable in his later work in the renewable energy sector.
In addition to his work in solar energy, Paul has a solid background in both private and public sectors, collaborating with government entities and corporations alike. His knowledge spans the entire spectrum of project development, from securing corporate credit and debt facilities to managing acquisitions. Paul's understanding of financial structures and his ability to navigate the intricacies of project financing are essential assets to the team, ensuring that projects not only meet performance goals but also deliver strong financial returns.
With a unique blend of technical expertise, global supply chain management, and financial acumen, Paul Drexel is a key player in driving innovation and success in the renewable energy sector. His contributions continue to be integral to the team's mission of advancing sustainable energy solutions.
Advisory Board Management
Nigel Parker
Senior Advisory Board Member,
Estate Management/Mining
Yair Oren
Advisory Board Member,
Technology/Communications
Nigel Parker is a multifaceted professional with extensive industry knowledge and strong managerial capabilities, which he has successfully applied across a wide range of assets and projects. His career began in insurance and financial services with Prudential, where he gained a solid foundation in managing financial portfolios. He later pursued a degree in Estate Management at Reading University, further expanding his expertise in asset management and development.
Nigel firmly believes that the success of any project lies in the hands of the people managing it. Over the years, he has had the privilege of collaborating with a diverse range of entities, including EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) companies, family offices, government agencies, and family trusts. His work spans asset management for individual projects as well as for larger groups aiming for growth, diversification, and new opportunities in the market.
One of Nigel’s key strengths is his ability to identify and create added value at every stage of a project’s lifecycle. Whether it’s during the origination, planning and permitting, contracting, or sales and marketing phases, he brings a keen eye for detail and a strategic approach that enhances project outcomes. His expertise is not limited to just managing existing assets—Nigel is skilled at finding untapped opportunities that drive value and growth.
In addition to his asset management skills, Nigel works closely with project owners to model business plans that are attractive to investors. His deep understanding of capital markets, combined with his strategic insights, enables him to craft plans that not only secure funding but also generate sustainable profits for all stakeholders involved. By bridging the gap between vision and execution, Nigel ensures that projects are not only feasible but also financially rewarding.
With a career marked by a diverse portfolio of successful projects and partnerships, Nigel Parker continues to be a sought-after advisor for those looking to navigate the complexities of asset management and project development. His ability to blend strategic thinking with practical execution makes him a valuable asset to any team aiming for long-term success.
Yossi Shazar
Advisory Board Member, Oil, Gas & Energy
Yair is a seasoned innovator, entrepreneur, and executive with over 30 years of experience, primarily in the technology industry. His career is marked by a deep understanding of cutting-edge technologies and a track record of success in both founding and scaling businesses.
Yair's leadership and technical vision were pivotal during his time as CTO of MobileAccess Networks, a company specializing in in-building wireless solutions. Under his guidance, MobileAccess grew its annual sales from $3 million to over $50 million, leading to its acquisition by Corning in 2008. His ability to drive innovation while scaling operations made him an invaluable asset to the company during a period of rapid growth.
Before his tenure at MobileAccess, Yair co-founded and served as CTO of Chromatis Networks, an optical networking company that revolutionized metro optical networks. Chromatis’ groundbreaking technology caught the attention of Lucent Technologies, which acquired the company in 2000 for an impressive $4.75 billion. Following the acquisition, Yair continued to contribute his expertise as CTO of Lucent's Metro Optical Networking Unit, where he played a key role in shaping the company's strategic direction in the optical networking space.
Prior to founding Chromatis, Yair served as Chief Architect and head of Software Development for Scorpio Communications, an ATM switching company that was acquired by US Robotics in 1996. His work at Scorpio Communications cemented his reputation as a visionary technologist capable of driving forward-looking innovations in highly competitive markets.
Yair’s career began with six years in an elite technological unit of the Israeli Army, where he managed mission-critical system development projects. This experience provided him with a strong foundation in project management, system design, and cutting-edge technological development—skills that he would carry forward into his civilian career.
A highly respected figure in the tech world, Yair holds a B.Sc. (Summa Cum Laude) and an M.Sc. in Computer Science from the Technion, Israel’s premier technological institute. He is also the author of several patents in areas such as ATM switching, optical networking, and wireless systems, underscoring his contributions to the advancement of these technologies. Yair's rich blend of entrepreneurial experience, technical expertise, and leadership in both early-stage startups and large corporations continues to make him a valuable asset to Chimera.
Yossi Shazar has been actively engaged in the power generation and oil & gas industries for more than 30 years. Over the last decade Yossi has led commercial negotiations and executed dozens of gas sale agreements (GSPAs) valued at billions of dollars on behalf of an Israeli oil & gas venture (Ratio Energies Limited Partnership – “Ratio”) mainly with industrial clients as well as independent power producers (IPPs).
Yossi played a key role in Ratio's fundraising of nearly $1B of senior debt from an international consortium of banks and the issuance of several series of subordinated public bonds, all in support of its share in the construction of Leviathan - a mega scale natural gas field located offshore of Israel and operated by Chevron. More recently, Yossi was instrumental in the commercial negotiations among Leviathan partners to develop a floating LNG (FLNG) project in Israel.
Yossi began his career in early 1990s as an industrial engineer with the Israel Electric Corporation. He then worked as a business development and commercial manager for an Israel based IPP developer which was controlled by the US based Energy Investors Funds (EIF) and was involved in the development of the first IPP in Israel as well as the development of several medium scale infrastructure projects.
In the early 2000s Yossi represented the US based IPP generator AES Corporation in Israel and managed the collaboration to team up with several local IPP developers to bid on a large-scale combined cycle gas fired power plant. He then joined Bateman Litwin, as a business development and marketing manager for the power generation sector and led the negotiations with potential clients towards the execution of various EPCM contracts.