Florent Avella is the Managing Director and Founder of Silver Oaks Group of Companies. Florent brings with him a wealth of experience from across the globe. He carries a degree in Hospitality Management, Certification in Accounting & Finance, US GAAP, as well as Real Estate & Hotel Investment Certification from Cornell University in NY. Florent’s favorite quote: “Price is what you pay, Value is what you get”.
Our Team
``Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.`` -- Helen Keller
Florent Avella
Managing Director
Teresita Juan
Executive Administrator
Teresita is a versatile Executive Administrator at Silver Oaks for the past 5 years. She is a “Jack of all Trades” and has come to master each role and task within and out of her designated scope of work.
Aside from her administrative skills, she has built extensive knowledge of the hotel industry in Belize through the conduction of numerous business plans, hotel market studies and investment analysis.
Teresita is also a proud female entrepreneur, owner, and manager of D’Vine Cravings – an independently run cevicheria, since 2018.
Teresita holds an associate degree in business and a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Sara Escalante
Finance Administrator
Sara is an accomplished accountant with 10 years’ experience in the accounting and finance field. She has worked at prominent organizations such as Ka’ana Resort, the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) and the Pedro R Lizarraga Group of Companies. She is versed in tax preparation, internal audits, budgeting and forecasting. Sara holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Belize.
Rina Mendez
Business & Administration Manager
Rina holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Her combined accounting and business administration work experience of 15 years has evolved from construction developments to flourishing in the hospitality industry and recently earned integral accounting experience in Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) and Not for Profit Organization (NPOs). Rina was employed by one of Belize’s largest resort management companies, where she escalated in her position from an accountant to successfully managing an accounting team of 10+ members as deputy financial controller. Rina joined the Silver Oaks team in August 2021 as Senior Accountant, and her role has grown to support the team as the Business & Administration Manager in the accounting, human resources, team management, and business administration.
Maricruz Contreras
Accountant Supervisor
Maricruz is an accomplished accountant with eight years’ experience and holds an associate degree in accounting. Throughout her career, Maricruz has developed strong accounting, analytical and administration skills having held various positions within the hotel and construction industries. Her duties at Silver Oaks Management Services Ltd include filing tax information and checking the accuracy of all financial documents to ensure accuracy and transparency.
Lillian Centeno
Senior HR Administrator
Lillian is a seasoned Human Resources professional with eight years of experience in the field. Her journey in HR began shortly after she earned her associate degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting.
Throughout her career, Lillian has demonstrated exceptional ability in managing multiple tasks and deadlines, ensuring that all HR functions operate smoothly and efficiently. Her expertise extends across various aspects of human resources, including recruitment, employee relations, and compliance.
Dedicated and proactive, Lillian continues to leverage her skills and knowledge to contribute to the strategic objectives of Silver Oaks Management Services Ltd and its clients.
Lissette Arragon
Capacity Building Coordinator
Lissette is a growing professional with a passion for numbers and a keen eye for detail. She has sharpened her skills in financial management and analysis through her experience at prior job positions.
Lissette is a team player and thrives in a collaborative work environment, where she can leverage her skills and experience to drive results.
Lissette holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
Alexia Contreras
Junior Accountant
Alexia is a meticulous and dedicated junior accountant with three years of practical experience in the accounting field. She holds an associate degree in business management, equipping her with a strong foundation in both accounting principles and effective organizational strategies. Known for her reliability and goal-oriented approach, Alexia consistently meets deadlines while ensuring accuracy and efficiency in her work.
Her attention to detail and enthusiasm for optimizing processes make her an asset to any team, as she actively seeks ways to enhance productivity and streamline workflows. Committed to professional growth, Alexia embraces new technologies and methods to continually improve her skills and deliver exceptional results for her team and clients.
Amairani Novelo
Accounts Clerk
Amairani is a personable and detail-oriented accounting professional with a decade of experience serving the financial needs of corporations. Growing up in northern Belize and working across the country, she has developed a broad expertise in various facets of accounting, allowing her to make every transaction seamless and efficient. Outside of work, Amairani enjoys traveling and exploring new places, which fuels her curiosity and love for new experiences.
Seidy Valdez
Hotel Head Accountant
Seidy Valdez is the Head Accountant at Silver Oaks, bringing a decade of expertise in the accounting field. She holds an associate degree in Business Science from the University of Belize. Seidy began her career in the hospitality industry as a front desk clerk, and through her dedication and hard work, she advanced to the accounts department, eventually becoming the Head Accountant. She has also earned certifications as a Financial Controller and in Cost Analysis & Reporting Techniques from the International Business and Economic Forum (IBEForuM).
Outside of work, Seidy enjoys spending quality time with her family, whether camping, traveling, or watching movies. Passionate about helping others, she also mentors small business owners in accounting during her free time.
Roxanne Richards
Assistant Accountant
Roxanne serves as the Assistant Accountant at Silver Oaks Management Service, where she applies her expertise in financial reconciliation and inventory management to strengthen the client’s accounting processes. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Belize and brings a robust background from various accounting roles, underscoring her commitment to accuracy and efficiency.
In a previous position at a botanical garden, Roxanne expanded her skill set by supporting both accounting and administrative functions, gaining unique insights into operations and plant care. At Silver Oaks, she plays a crucial role in upholding financial integrity and ensuring operational efficiency, actively contributing to the company’s growth and success.
Tania Cruz
Payroll Clerk
Tania Cruz is a versatile professional with academic training in tourism, business, and accounting. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Belize in 2020 and brings three years of experience in the lending sector, where she gained valuable expertise in both lending and accounting while working at a leading credit union in Southern Belize. Tania is eager to leverage her combined knowledge in tourism and accounting to further her career and drive her professional growth.
Wilkin Solorzano
Income Auditor
Wilkin Solorzano serves as an Income Auditor, specializing in financial accuracy and compliance. In this role, he is responsible for reviewing and completing daily revenue reconciliations, reconciling cash sales, and preparing comprehensive audit reports for clients. Wilkin’s meticulous attention to detail and commitment to accuracy ensure that all revenue records are precise and transparent, contributing to the financial reliability of the organizations he supports. His expertise in income auditing helps provide clients with a clear and dependable view of their financial operations.
Ellerry Esen
Head Accountant
Ellerry provides essential support in administrative tasks and contributing to financial and accounting functions as needed. She brings a strong background in optimizing hotel operations, having overseen the implementation and configuration of POS and PMS systems for improved efficiency. Additionally, her experience in preparing income audit and tax reconciliation manuals highlights her expertise in financial compliance and process improvement. Ellerry’s skills and proactive approach make her a valuable asset in supporting smooth operations and financial accuracy.