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The Co-Founders
Since 1992, Bill Chase has been volunteering regularly as a dentist in the Fundação Esperança dental clinic. In addition to being a practicing dentist, Bill has been an active member of his community including serving as the President of the Michigan Dental Association and Governor of Rotary District 6400.
Ron Bertagnoli has been the executive director of the Fundação Esperança for over 20 years and was honored as one of the "10 Most Important People in Santarém" for the last decade. Daniel Weiss, Ph.D., was the founder and executive director of Amizade, Ltd. for seven years and was honored for his humanitarian work in Santarém by the US State Department and the Arab Gulf Fund of the United Nations.
Soon after 3AO was created, many former volunteers and supporters of the Fundação Esperança rallied to our cause. These supporters included Jerry Tupper, Dr. Gil and Joan DeBiasi, Dr. Jed Johnson, Dr. Dennis Gates, Dr. Bob Backus, and Dr. Newt Kellacky, and Dr. Fred Hartman.
Though 3AO maybe a relatively young organization, we have deep roots. To understand the full scope of the Amazon-Africa Aid Organization, one must look the history of the Fundação Esperança.