Gorongosa Ventures Owner

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Gregory C. Carr is the Sole Member of Gorongosa Ventures, an Idaho for-profit LLC that is the majority owner of agriculture, tourism, aviation, and forestry companies in Mozambique.

Mr. Carr (66 years old) was born and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He attended Utah State University, graduating as the Valedictorian in 1982, and then earned a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School in 1986. Later that year, inspired by the breakup of AT&T, he founded Boston Technology, one of the earlier firms to sell voice mail systems to telephone companies. Carr served as the chair of Boston Technology until it was merged in 1998 with an industry participant in a transaction valued at $800 million. 

From 1996 to 1998 he was chair of Prodigy, an early global Internet service provider. He also co-founded Africa Online in 1996 and served as its chair until 1998. 

Through his leadership of these technology companies and subsequent investments, Carr acquired substantial net worth that he now invests in Mozambican opportunities. He is in an “all-of-government” agreement with the Government of Mozambique to develop nation-wide agricultural, tourism, and aviation businesses through Gorongosa Ventures.  He has 20 years of experience in Mozambique.  His first project in Mozambique was to co-manage and restore the nation’s flagship national park–Gorongosa– to prepare it for the tourism industry.  Gorongosa has been called the most successful rewilding project on the continent of Africa.  Carr’s work has been featured in international newspapers, magazines, television programs, and long-form films.

Doug Flynn is CEO of Gorongosa Safaris. He believes in conservation as a serious business—one that can protect wild places by generating real returns. A proven professional with more than 12 years’ experience, Doug is recognized for his deep knowledge of African ecosystems and his drive to safeguard them through practical, market-based solutions. A leader at SYSTEMIQ, the “green McKinsey,” Doug helped grow the organization that became known as the world’s leading environmental advisory and investment firm. He then helped build Revalue Nature, a specialist carbon finance and development company, before returning to his true calling on the ground in Africa as CEO of Gorongosa Safaris.

At Gorongosa Safaris, Doug is focused on building a high-performing, for-profit tourism operation that attracts international travelers, creates jobs, and delivers strong revenue growth year over year. He brings a clear commercial lens to the safari business —optimizing guest experience, expanding market reach, and developing world-class safari offerings. His approach is straightforward: well-run tourism can be a powerful engine for local economies and a reliable source of income that sustains long-term stewardship without sole reliance on philanthropy.

Ryan Kirkham is President of Gorongosa Ventures LLC, where he leads the growth of durable, socially responsible enterprises tied to the broader Gorongosa region. With a career that combines rigorous financial leadership and a long record of mission-driven management, Ryan helps build ventures that strengthen local livelihoods, expand private-sector opportunity, and deliver measurable, long-term value for communities and stakeholders.

A licensed CPA with a Master's in Accounting from Utah State University, Ryan began his career in public accounting, advising organizations on financial reporting, compliance, risk management, and strategic planning. He later joined the Gorongosa Project and the Carr Foundation, serving as Chief Financial Officer for the past 15 years. In these roles, he has directed multi-year financial strategy and cross-border operations for major infrastructure and enterprise development, hospitality and tourism growth, workforce and community programs, and complex international organizational structures—ensuring strong governance, accountability, and results. He is a life-long resident of the State of Idaho and enjoys outdoors activities.

Sofia Molina is a business development leader with more than 14 years of experience growing high-value coffee brands and agricultural value chains across global markets. She previously served as General Manager of Gorongosa Products, leading commercial strategy, international distribution, and multi-stakeholder partnerships that supported over 5,000 smallholder farmers. 

Earlier in her career, she managed major national accounts at Fairtrade Canada and founded a premium coffee venture in Honduras. Sofia currently works with Tree Canada, supporting corporate partnerships to increase revenue. Fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, she brings strong business development, market expansion, and strategic growth expertise to Gorongosa Ventures. 

Nate Bendall is a seasoned entrepreneur that has spent 15 years in the logistics and distribution industry. He founded Final Mile Solar in 2017, a distribution company that generates over $30 million in revenue annually with an emphasis on providing end to end logistics for solar installers. He owns two utility patents that provide a unique way to deliver solar panels on top of roofs. He looks for creative ways to find solutions to old problems. He graduated from Utah State University with degrees in finance and economics and currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife, Melinda, and 5 children. In his spare time, he can be found coaching his kids in basketball or being a supportive spectator with the various sports they play. 

Prior to joining Brighton in 2019, Robert recently served as President of Hawkins Companies managing all activity associated with more than 280 projects and 12 million square feet of retail space across 25 states. Robert’s experience also includes time as a licensed attorney at Givens Pursley and as a CPA at PwC. Robert graduated with high honors from J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University and as Valedictorian from the Utah State University College of Business. Mr. Phillips lives in Boise, Idaho.