Aarón Esliman Salgado  (Executive Director)

Fisheries Engineer from University of Baja California Sur (UABCS) (1990 to 1995).  Completed his thesis titled “Description of red lobster fishery in Natividad Island, B.C.S.” in 1998.  Aaron holds three degrees in Administration and Management from San Diego State University (USA) and two from the Technological Institute of Superior Studies of Monterrey (Mexico).  Aaron was trained in conservation techniques of endangered species by the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation as well as in the conservation, management and environmental conflict resolution by Mexico’s National Commission of Protected Areas (CONANP)

He served as Sub-Director for the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve (Mexico) from 1996 to 2001 and founded the Niparaja Natural History Society, A.C. where he worked on various marine, terrestrial and community development projects.  While with Niparaja he also founded sea turtle monitoring groups at El Pardito and Agua Verde.  Since September 2008 he has served as the Director of Grupo Tortuguero of the Californias, A.C.

Antonio Arballo Gonzalez  (Manager of Operations)

Public Accountant from the Technical Institute of La Paz, Baja California Sur, with a specialty in accounting, administration and management of non-profit organizations from the University of Guadalajara (Mexico).  Antonio began providing services to non-profit organizations to achieve mutual benefits, conservation achievements and environmental preservation.  He has strengthened his abilities by participating in financial courses, symposiums and seminars.  From 2006 to 2008 he collaborated as an independent financial contractor for Pro Peninsula (ProCaguama and Conservation Tourism, Friends for the Conservation of Cabo Pulmo A.C., Guardians of the Water A.C., Bahia Madgalena Baykeepers A.C., Union for Workers of Education A.C. and Pro Tortugugas (Guatemala). Since September 2008 he has worked full time as Operations Manager for the Grupo Tortuguero. 

Yañez (Scientific Coordinator)

Acquired a Bachelors degree in Biology from Cayetano University (Peru). Prior to working with sea turtles she was a Lead-Guide in the Amazon rainforest in her natal Peru. Ingrid has worked with numerous sea turtle conservation and investigation projects in countries throughout Latin America. From 2003 to 2007 she was Co-Director for the Costa Rican Sea Turtle Restoration Program’s (PRETOMA) nesting beach programs, and participating in the creation of the Caletas-Ario National Wildlife Refuge (2005).  Ingrid has been Scientific Coordinator for Grupo Tortuguero since May 2008, and Co-Founded the Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Project (Proyecto ¡CAREY!) in 2007, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at generating information and conserving critically endangered hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) in the eastern Pacific Ocean.