After spending thirty-nine weeks in Central Asia, Greg Rangel has decided he doesn’t want to leave. A seasoned businessman, Rangel has proven to be one of the most versatile and enthusiastic Citizens Development Corps (CDC) volunteers to visit the region through the USAID-funded initiative. Since the end of Soviet rule, the countries of Central Asia have been making the slow and sometimes rocky transition from central planning to a market-based economy, the strength of which is based upon small businesses. Rangel succeeded in shaping production methods of companies he worked with to enlarge their market shares and to increase the sustainability of their operations.

During his assignment in Uzbekistan, Rangel used his personal expertise in aquaculture to advise community members on how to develop and maintain fish farms. From this advice, Shams Navoi was able to expand its fishing and poultry production operations to make it more self sustaining, profitable, and able to export to more markets. Shams Navoi reconstructed its fish farms, improved its facilities, and trained its staff to upkeep the ponds. Rangel also suggested that the company use its agricultural land to grow wheat, alfalfa and soya, the byproducts of which could be used for resale and for fish-feed. In 2003, Shams Navoi tripled its pond sizes, turned a profit for the first time, and secured a $1 million loan to expand its business activities in the region.