About Patrick
Mr. Hiebert graduated with a degree in Computer Science and after working as a consulting specialist on emerging technologies for several years Patrick co-founded an Energy Management Software firm,TransEnergy Management, which quickly grew from the founders to over 300 employees, a valuation in the high 8 figures and with offices in the US, Canada, South America, Europe, and Australia.
After the company was acquired just prior to an IPO, Patrick founded a second software company, Epikos Solutions, which also grew quickly with significant revenues and was also privately acquired. With financial freedom, looking for a change of lifestyle and the desire to “give back” and make a difference in people's lives, Patrick moved to Central America. Mr. Hiebert founded the Help Them Help Themselves charitable foundation and continues to be very committed to improving the lives of the less fortunate through leading projects that focus on healthcare, education and shelter in various areas in Central and South America.
Mr. Hiebert also understands that helping people is about giving a “hand up”, not a “hand out”. In order to best make positive change, Mr. Hiebert decided to create job opportunities for local people by creating self supporting and successful businesses in their areas.
Mr. Hiebert has also used his technology knowledge combined with a love for self-sustainability over the past several decades to become a prominent expert in designing and developing eco-friendly and smart-home communities. While downsizing his own lifestyle from living in a large home to a condominium to living on the ocean in a boat, Patrick realized the benefits of “right-sized” living and self-sufficiency. Now as the COO for ECI Development, he leads the company’s TES (Tiny, Eco-Friendly, Smart) community development in Belize, Panama, Nicaragua and beyond.