Guided by Expertise.
Driven by Purpose.
Our advisors bring decades of domain knowledge across the sectors that define Captiva Verde's work — from water science and environmental policy to defense logistics and ESG investing.
Simon Lester
Co-Founder & CEO, ESKA Water | MBA INSEAD | MA Oxford
Simon Lester has over 30 years of experience in beverage and consumer product markets across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. He co-founded ESKA Water — one of Canada's leading bottled water brands, built on a unique purity position from its glacially formed aquifer in Quebec — scaling it from a start-up to a top-ten bottled water company nationally. Prior to ESKA, Simon founded Cott Corporation's premium private label beverage business in the UK and Europe, building joint ventures with the Virgin Group before a successful exit to Cadbury Schweppes PLC. He currently serves as co-founder and CEO of the Radically Good Food Company, a specialist ultra-clean organic chocolate brand supplying leading snack companies across North America and internationally. Simon holds an MBA from INSEAD and an MA from Oxford University.
Josh F.W. Cook
Former EPA Region 9 Administrator | USC Associate Professor
Josh F.W. Cook is a seasoned government executive and public policy leader with over 30 years of experience navigating complex political and natural resource challenges. He most recently served as EPA Administrator for Region 9 — overseeing environmental protection across Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Islands — where he led efforts to protect clean air, water, and land for millions of people. Prior to this, Josh served as Chief of Staff and Minority Caucus Chief of Staff in the California Legislature, and held senior federal appointments from the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture and from the President of the United States, serving within the Senior Executive Service. He currently serves as a lecturer and Associate Professor at the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California. Josh holds a Master's degree from California State University, Hayward, and is a veteran of the California State Guard.
Chris Harvey
Former CEO, JP Morgan Securities | Harvard Economics
Chris Harvey spent 39 years at JP Morgan Chase — one of the world's largest financial institutions with $4 trillion in AUM — helping to build and expand the firm's investment banking capabilities across multiple roles and markets. His career spanned client banking, head of foreign exchange options, emerging markets derivatives, and leading an advisory and solutions team focused on corporate finance valuation and tax and accounting efficiency. He served as CEO of JP Morgan's Latin America Private Bank and as Chief Country Officer for Japan, before taking responsibility for reputational risk across the firm's investment bank in the Americas. Chris holds a degree in Economics from Harvard University.
Mark Rodd
CEO, Rodd Hotels & Resorts | Atlantic Canada's Premier Resort Chain
Mark Rodd is the CEO of Rodd Hotels and Resorts, Atlantic Canada's premier resort destination and the largest independently owned hotel company in the region. Founded in 1935, Rodd Hotels has earned numerous accolades from major golf publications as the top golf resort destination in Atlantic Canada, building a reputation for exceptional guest experiences and authentic regional tourism. Mark brings decades of expertise in destination development, tourism strategy, and luxury resort operations — making him an invaluable voice for guiding Captiva Verde's eco-tourism infrastructure deployments. Sustainability and respect for the environment are cornerstones of Rodd Hotels' operations, alongside a deep commitment to employees, community stakeholders, and long-term regional stewardship. Mark is a graduate of the University of Prince Edward Island.
Dan Hokanson
Retired 4-Star General, U.S. Army | 29th Chief, National Guard Bureau
Dan Hokanson is a retired 4-Star General and former member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He served as the 29th Chief of the National Guard Bureau, the second largest military organization in the Department of Defense, where he was an advisor to the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council. He also led the National Guard State Partnership Program with over 110 countries around the globe, conducting numerous senior political and military engagements.
General Hokanson served 38 years in the Army and Army National Guard, including fourteen years as a general officer. His deployments include Operation Just Cause, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He is also a command pilot with over 2,600 flight hours in over 30 different fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
General Hokanson earned a B.S in Aerospace Engineering from West Point, an M.A. in International Security and Civil-Military Relations from the Naval Postgraduate School, and an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He also completed a year-long National Security Fellowship at Harvard University.