Michael Riggs

Current

Knowledge & Information Management Officer at FAO

Past

Information Management Specialist at FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
Information Dissemination and Management consultant at APHCA
Board Member at Midori Pharmerica

Director, New Business Development at Green Cross Corporation

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Education

Chulalongkorn Mahawitthayalai
Columbia University - Columbia Business School

Connections

175 connections

Industry

Information Services

Websites

Michael Riggs’s Summary

A key member of FAO’s global team to enhance the positive impact of information and communication technology (ICT) in agricultural and rural development, and increase availability, accessibility and application of good practices.

The lead facilitator of the e-Agriculture community of practice, with over 5,600 individuals from more than 150 countries, who are focused on improving ICT4D.

Focused on issues of people, processes and content in ICT.

Engaging in active knowledge sharing, through traditional and new methods and tools, to improve our understanding and performance in solving complex, multi-disciplinary challenges.

Prior to joining FAO, experienced in the private sector with responsibility for technology transfer, project development and coordination of information flows between international partners.

Educated in both economics and organizational management, with extensive on the job experience in cross-cultural management and communication.

Michael Riggs’s Specialties:

knowledge sharing methods and tools, catalyzing communities of practice and international collaboration, conceptualizing and communicating new ideas, information surveys, building individual and organizational capacity in ICT4D

Michael Riggs’s Experience

Knowledge & Information Management Officer

FAO

(Government Agency; International Affairs industry)

April 2009 — Present (9 months)

My current position (see Summary section).
Information Management Specialist

FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

(Government Agency; International Affairs industry)

December 2000 — April 2009 (8 years 5 months)

As FAO’s information management officer for the Asia-Pacific region, I was responsible for initiating and managing collaborations with partners around the region to improve sustainable development through the application of modern information and communication technology (ICT). I led the establishment of new partnerships and new communities of practice, conducted information assessments, formulated knowledge strategies, increasing the impact of good practices, and expanded the dissemination of the Organization's regional information.
Information Dissemination and Management consultant

APHCA

(Information Technology and Services industry)

January 2000 — December 2000 (1 year )

Initiated new electronic media dissemination strategies based on website and CD-ROM to expand audience, with a particular focus on low bandwidth areas of Asia-Pacific.
Redeveloped APHCA’s online image and communication program based on user surveys and feedback.
Improved publications work flow.
Board Member

Midori Pharmerica

(Pharmaceuticals industry)

1995 — 1998 (3 years )

Developed and advised on strategic plans to integrate with global operations.
Director, New Business Development

Green Cross Corporation

(Pharmaceuticals industry)

1993 — 1998 (5 years )

Facilitated cross-cultural communication and collaboration to achieve corporate goals of an expanded product portfolio.
Managed information work flows critical to successful product development and regulatory approval.
Established partnerships, characterized development scenarios and initiated market-oriented research.

Michael Riggs’s Education

Chulalongkorn Mahawitthayalai

MA , Economics , 1998 — 2002

Thesis: (2002) "Trade as a factor of productivity growth in Thailand’s agricultural sector"
Columbia University - Columbia Business School

MBA , Organizational Management & Marketing , 1991 — 1993

Activities and Societies:

Japan Students Assoc. and Japan Study Tour (1992)

Additional Information

Michael Riggs’s Websites:

Michael Riggs’s Interests:

The potential for ICT and knowledge sharing to have a positive impact on society and livelihoods; the anthropological side of the Internet; culture and economics taken together; organizations as organisms; food & wine; Bhutan, China, Thailand (my adopted home). I am active using social media under the moniker "mongkolroek" (a name that was given to me in Thailand).

Michael Riggs’s Groups:

International Association of Agricultural Information Management Specialists (IAALD)

RAPSA (RAP Staff Association), Chairperson 2005-9

Columbia Business School Alums
IAALD
Knowledge Management Experts
Web2forDev - Participatory Web 2.0 for Development
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations current and former employees
ICTforD
eIndia - India's Largest ICT Event