ECI - Setting New Standards

ECI is headquartered in Belize, with administrative offices in Nicaragua, and property currently in Belize, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Our mission is to create value through socially-responsible development of real estate in the Americas promoting a comfortable, enjoyable lifestyle for its partners and communities.

By maintaining North American building and development standards, living south of the border can provide the lifestyle North Americans desire for far less than it normally costs in the US or Canada, as the cost of living is approximately half. This is ECI’s market advantage.

Grand Baymen Executives

Mr. Michael Brunette – Founder, Grand Baymen

Mr. Brunette has been in the construction industry for over 30 years. He also spent seven years as a real estate sales agent, marketing re-sale and new homes in the Denver area. He is one of the founders of Grand Baymen Belize, designed and built the San Pedro Club facility, conceptualized the condominium community, and was involved in the preliminary plan development.

The Grand Baymen Community is a result of Mike’s vision and drive to create a desirable, private and secure community on this unique four acre garden property.  He diligently worked with the development team, endeavoring to incorporate elements of design that are unique to Belize and typify the Caribbean island lifestyle.  His personal goal has always been to develop a secure gated community with amenities and services that meet the needs and desires of owners and savvy investors. 

Mike held the position as the President of Grand Baymen from January 2008 until August 2011, when Eddie Littlefield stepped into this role.  As a Founder and a proven builder in Belize, Mike continues to offer input and construction oversight as-needed.

Prior to becoming involved with Grand Baymen, Mr. Brunette designed and built several homes in San Pedro Town that are recognized for their creative design, as well as the existing San Pedro Club facilities.  After building this facility, he and his wife opened the San Pedro Club and operated it for five years before selling it to ECI in 2008 to form Grand Baymen Belize. Since opening in early 2003, the Club has offered the most diverse athletic club amenity package available to the residents of San Pedro Town.

Through the successful completion of these projects Mike established a proven track record of success, effectively working within the local politics and community. His diverse experience and breadth of knowledge about the construction industry served him well.  He gained valuable experience working with locally available resources, giving him a perspective and insights about what works in this region and market.

Mr. Brunette began his career in the construction industry working with his father, who was a homebuilder in Colorado.  He learned through hands-on experience, and direct involvement in the various facets of the construction process. During a lull in the Colorado housing market in the 70’s, he ventured into the related field of real estate sales and marketing, becoming a licensed real estate agent for seven years.

In 1990 Mr. Brunette relocated to California, where he became a licensed General Building Contractor. He owned and operated his own construction company for the next 10 years, specializing in commercial tenant finish projects. He competitively bid and won numerous projects for major firms in the California Bay Area.

Mr. Brunette and his wife, Ann, discovered Belize in 1999, when they visited because of her interest in diving, and their desire to own a little piece of paradise somewhere in the Caribbean. They both recognized that San Pedro Town was in an expansion stage, and felt that there was considerable potential and opportunity due to its increasing visibility as a desirable tourist destination. They purchased property, built their first home/apartment building, and became more involved in the community. The Brunettes decided that they would live in San Pedro long-term and enjoy the rewards and beauty of the island lifestyle.

Mr. Brunette and his wife have resided in the home he built, on the Baymen Garden property, since 2003.   He and his wife are planning to move into one of the Baymen Garden penthouses, upon completion. 
 

Ms. Ann Kuffner Brunette – Co-Founder, Grand Baymen

Ms. Kuffner Brunette is an environmental engineer who spent the majority of her prior career in marketing and sales for major US corporations. She and her husband Mike jointly developed the concept for, built, and operated the San Pedro Fitness Club in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. They owned and operated the San Pedro Fitness Club for five years before selling it, and their adjoining property, to ECI, to form Grand Baymen Belize.

After selling their business and property to ECI, Ms. Kuffner Brunette moved to Ambergris Caye fulltime.  Since the buyout, she has taken on whatever role was needed to assure Grand Baymen’s success.  Until early 2011, she was the Vice President of sales for the Grand Baymen development. She was responsible for Grand Baymen’s condominium sales until that time.  Until August of 2009, she acted as the Director of the San Pedro Fitness Club.  At that time a Club Manager was hired so she could focus all of her time on Baymen Garden marketing, sales, and advertising.  

Now Ann focuses her energy and time on blogging about Grand Baymen and Ambergris Caye, writing about the Belize lifestyle, and speaking at conferences.  She continues to actively participate in the Grand Baymen Chill Weekends and at international conferences, as she thoroughly enjoys showing visitors the Ambergris Caye lifestyle that she knows and loves.

Ann earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in chemical and environmental engineering, from the University of California.  She worked in industry and consulting throughout the USA for 30+ years. She held the position of Vice President (VP) of Marketing and Business Development for major consulting firms for over 15 years. She also has been a Vice President/ Operations Manager, managing up to 125 staff and $25M of consulting business.

In 1999 the Brunettes decided to travel to Belize, where they purchased property for a vacation home. Ann is an avid scuba diver and aerobics dance enthusiast. After spending time in Belize, the Brunette’s became intrigued by the idea of building a premier athletic/country club in San Pedro. Ann missed having a clean, sophisticated athletic club to frequent, similar to those in the USA. Whereas Mike developed the design concept, Ann worked on developing the services and offerings, many of which are still provided at the San Pedro Fitness Club today. During the last five years she spent as a corporate VP in California, she often took vacations in Belize. During those vacations, she actively worked to improve the San Pedro Fitness Club, addressing the client needs of the local expats, general community and tourists.  

Before moving to Belize, Ann began taking American Writers and Artists Institute classes, to become proficient as a travel, lifestyle and copy writer.  Now her primary focus is on writing about Belize, Ambergris Caye and Grand Baymen.  Since moving to Belize, she has had a variety of articles published by reputable international travel and lifestyle companies, such as Live and Invest Overseas, and International Living.  Ann also volunteers her time as a Belize Correspondent to several organizations, answering questions sent in by people considering relocating or retiring to Belize.

After many years of working in a corporate environment, Ann thoroughly enjoys living in Belize and sharing her wealth of knowledge about San Pedro Town and Belize with newcomers. You will often find her at the San Pedro Club, working out while she chats with other members.