Power of SUNY

SUNY Morrisville Prof Lends Expertise to Soy & Maize Company in Africa

SUNY Morrisville Associate Professor of Business and Entrepreneurship Dr. Christopher Scalzo traveled to Kenya, East Africa, in Summer 2010, to share his entrepreneurial skills and help a soy and maize producing company enhance its operations.

During his three-week trip, Scalzo helped Soy Afric, Limited, a company located in an industrial area in Nairobi, Kenya's capital, redesign the plant layout, assess their production flow and implement a new accounting system. The company needed assistance with operational and financial changes, so Scalzo applied his entrepreneurial expertise to offer solutions to the company. 

Like many volunteers, Scalzo's work not only allowed him to help and inspire others, but it also provided him with a new learning experience and personal growth. He takes that back to his SUNY classroom and his students, who he hopes to get funded to accompany him on similar trips in the future.

Scalzo will return to Kenya in Dec. 2010 to help the company install a new financial and accounting system, and he'll return again in Summer 2011 to help them implement a marketing plan and provide training for Soy Africa Limited and its customers and suppliers.

Two years ago, Scalzo spent part of his summer helping dairy farmers in Honduras, where he was recognized with a President's Volunteer Service Award, a prestigious national honor which lauds volunteer service.