Andres Duarte ’65, Roll #1090

Born in 1943, schooled in Venezuela, Andres Duarte ’65 was more than just
a citizen of that country, his roots were deep in the United States as well.

THE EARLY YEARS

In 1909 his fraternal grandfather Andrew Duarte-Level left Venezuela for the states where he married an English/ Welsh immigrant Blodwen Jones, and set out to raise his fortune and family. His first job was as a Singer Sewing Machine salesman. Later, after moving to New Jersey, he became the mayor of East Orange in 1941.

Andres’ father, Andre Duarte Level II, was born in 1913 with full US citizenship. He worked in the Lincoln Tunnel project as a “ground hog” for nine months and graduated from Cornell University in 1936. When oil was discovered in Venezuela in 1928-29, he returned to a country which, as a result of his parentage, also recognized him as a citizen. At that point, the young Duarte could not speak Spanish, having been raised and schooled in the U.S. He soon began work in road construction supporting the rapidly expanding oil fields. Soon after WWII broke out, he was drafted by the U.S. Navy. He joined the Seabees to use his skills in road building and construction and was sent to build airports in Trinidad, Puerto Rico and Brazil to support the U.S. air traffic movements through South America and Africa.

On Andres’ maternal side of the family, strong U.S. ties were also much in evidence as his grandfather Eliseo Vivas-Perez had left Venezuela for the U.S. in 1914 as a political outcast having challenged the authority of a dictator named Gomez. After the move to the U.S., Andre’s mother and her five brothers were all educated in colleges throughout the U.S. while the parents moved to Philadelphia. They remained there until 1936 when, with the fall of Gomez, the family returned to Venezuela. Soon after returning to Venezuela, Andre’s parents-to-be attended a social event at the U.S. Embassy where they met for the first time and, as the saying goes, the rest is history.

Andres Duarte was born in 1943 in Caracas and was educated in the local Jesuit schools for 12 years. Upon graduation in 1961, and with a significant family history of education in the U.S., the die was cast for Andres to follow the same path.

OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

Initially Andres applied to both Cornell and Northwestern, and was accepted by the latter where his uncle was on the faculty at the time. He visited his uncle who told him about a small college in mid-Ohio (OWU) where he had previously taught and recommended it as more suitable for Andres than Northwestern. He felt that OWU, with its small campus and its excellent academic program would better fit the culture and school life to which Andres had been accustomed. So with that advise, although never having visited the OWU campus, Andres applied and was accepted by OWU at the last minute.

BETA MEMORIES

Arriving at OWU (his first time to the campus) to register for classes in August, 1961, Andres moved into the “low rent” district at the Selby Stadium dorms. Soon thereafter, he was introduced to freshman rush and was attracted to Beta through his meetings with Clark Dove ’63 … and Jim Tennison ‘62. He later met other Beta campus leaders … George Conrades ‘61 (who was visiting campus to see his future bride, who was still attending OWU…), and who had been student body president and Mel Trumble ‘62, class president and member of the football team. These outstanding Betas were among the most  important influences attracting Andres to Beta Theta Pi.

Although Andres was supported for membership by brothers Dove, Tennison, Conrades and Trumble, controversy stirred within the house as a result of the prejudices which existed at that time. The controversy over the pledging of a foreign student was quite heated and divisive. Alumni were asked for their advice. Brothers Dove, Tennison, Conrades and Trumble were adamant in their support of Andres, and were soon joined in support by Hal Fausnaugh ’48 and Jim Wyant ’50, from the alumni ranks. Ultimately, through the advocacy of these brothers, Andres was pledged Beta. [Note: This was not the first time for such a controversy at Theta chapter. The editor remembers well a similar incident in the mid ’50s…..one which ended with the student being denied membership, to the deep dismay of many of the brothers.

Pledging memories for Andres include his being awarded “the cow bell’ … an honor bestowed on the one pledge identified as the “most outstanding goof off.” It was passed down to Andres from the previous recipient, John Duvall ‘64. Whenever and wherever the bell rang, the wearer was required to recite from memory passages from “For Whom the Bell Tolls.”

After being driven to pulling his hair out from the “ringing bell,” Andres was clued in by brother Bruce Jarvis ‘60 to “put some paper in the bell and don’t worry about it any more.” Upper classmen always had ways of solving freshmen problems! The following year, Andres passed along this unique tradition by awarding the bell to “Rip” van Winkle ’66.

OWU

Andres noted several key memories of his days at OWU. First, the campus curiosity toward foreign students; Second, the “teamwork” displayed in both the classroom and the fraternity house; Third, the immaturity of students in using alcohol. In contrast, in Venezuela you grew up exposed to it and learned to cope with it in moderation, with wine served at home. But for the American students, it was altogether new and cause for “trying out” new limits in acts of immaturity. Fourth, it was the first time Andres could date anyone of his own choosing, and not have a chaperone — either a sister or a mother —!

Following graduation from OWU in 1965 having majored in Geology/Economics, Andres continued his education with an MS in Geology from the University of Oklahoma in 1967 and an MBA from both Northwestern (where he started) and IESA in Venezuela (where he finished) in 1969. While in Chicago in 1968, Andres had a memorable and forgettable experience during the McGovern political convention riots. A fire resulting from the riots forced him to make an emergency escape from his apartment which was located above a liquor store — a lucky escape! Also at that time, he again ran into George Conrades, in the streets of Chicago, and renewed old ties.

 CAREER

Returning to Venezuela in 1969, Andres began his career working for the government for one year in oil/gas production. This was followed by seven years working for a conglomerate in construction work.

By 1975, he started his own consulting business which later evolved into equity interest in various ventures in commodity trading, transportation and port development in Venezuela.

In September 1992 Brother Duarte was offered the C.E.O. position of Linea Aeropsostal Venezolana, a government operated airline, with the mandate to privatize the airline. At the time the national airline was losing $25 million / year. During his struggle to make the airline profitable, Andres became “persona non grata” as he had to make drastic changes to the company, including selling aircraft, eliminating 180 pilots and downsizing the airline, that only had 19 planes, but over 4000 employees. These changes caused major trauma throughout Venezuela. As a result of his implementation of necessary operational efficiency changes, Andres became the scorn of many and the center of attention in what was considered a national scandal. The airline was the first state-owned institution that was being “privatized.” Following the changes instituted by Andres, the government divested itself of the airline which was bought by Cuban nationals residing in Miami … and by 2000 had the company flying again under private ownership. Unfortunately for Andy, it was two hard years of traumas and difficulties … but he did that as a service to the country.

Following this period with the government, Brother Duarte returned to the active management of his own company, Duarte Vivas & Associados C.A. (DVA). Its initial activities included the operation of companies related to the petroleum sector as well as consulting for engineering firms and commodity trading companies. Products include oil, agriculture, chemical and metallurgical products.

DVA began expanding into shipping and related services, with the establishment of two shipping companies, and a  customs, stevedoring and and ship agency business. DVA consolidated its presence in this area with the purchase of the Victor H. Selinger shipping agency in 1992.

DVA employs over 30 people for its trading/commodity activities and is currently the largest independent company in
Venezuela in its specialty. Total employment is over 150 and as recently as 1999, thirdparty sales and purchases exceeded $200M. DVA subsidiaries, joint ventures and affiliated companies number more than 11.

Brother Duarte notes that these have been difficult times for Venezuela. Through government mismanagement the standard of living is poor and little improvement has been seen by the majority of its citizens. More than 20 percent unemployment with 1.3M in public employment with only a population of about 10M is an unacceptable cost to the country. Religious leaders have been indifferent to social change and in politics there are “too many chiefs and not enough indians.” Profits from oil, in the past, have masked solutions in others aspects of Venezuelan economic and social structure … i.e., education, agriculture and the general standard of living. He notes that there exists a need for strong, enlightened political leadership dedicated to the efficient management of his country and its resources.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Brother Duarte has always played an active role in his communities. He has served on various boards including the Chamber of Commerce Federation of Venezuela, Petroleum Chamber of Venezuela, American C of C. He also has served as an outside director of Banco Venezolano de Credito and as V.P. of the British School of Caracas. Since 1995 he has served Ohio Wesleyan University as a member of its Board of Trustees.

Andres and his wife, Laura Otero de Duarte, have three children: an 11-year-old daughter, Camilla, who attends the British School in Caracas, and young Andy, 12-years-old, who attends Gordonstoun school in Scotland. Daughter Emily, 16, is a high school senior studying at the St. Paul Prep School in Concord, N.H. Hopefully, she will soon be ready to move on to Delaware and OWU.

Laura, also raised in Venezuela, is a freelance costume designer and has contributed professionally to many art organizations, including the Caracas Opera, Venezuelan TV stations and the Pittsburgh Opera.

Andres’ permanent home address is:
Andres Duarte
Duate Vivas & Associates, C.A.
Av. Ppal del Bosque, Torre Credicard,
Piso 15, Ofc. 154, Chacaito
aduarte@dvaccs.com
http://www.dvaccs.com
His USA mailing address is:
Andres Duarte
Jet International M 472
P.O. Box 20010
Miami, FL 33102-0010

DUARTE REFLECTIONS

Looking back, Andres noted with some concern what he considers weakness shown in recent history at Beta and the Greek system. He senses that the priority for students is more of “individualism” rather than deferring to the needs and accomplishments of their groups. Beta always had strong, intelligent brothers, but when the concern for individual achievement and activities became more prevalent, then the strength of the Greek system was compromised. Fondly reflecting on his own experiences in Beta, he expressed genuine concern that we continue to support the young men of Theta chapter and encourage their return of the values of brotherhood
within Beta.

SALUDOS
Andres Duarte represents the best of Beta. He has generously given of himself to both his University and to his fraternity. We salute him and are proud to say to Andres Duarte … thank God you’re a Beta!