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Joel Nagel

Co-Founder

For those who know him, it’s no surprise that cofounder of ECI Development, Joel Nagel, ended up as Chairman of one of Belize’s premier banking institutions. 

He has been a pioneer of international law for quite some time. His enthusiasm for law and international relations emerged early in his adult life. After receiving his undergraduate degree in 1986 from Allegheny College, Joel headed to the University of Bonn to study as a Fulbright Scholar for a year. 

He returned to pursue a law degree at West Virginia University, which he received in 1989. To solidify the link between his passion for global business affairs and the law, Joel went on to obtain his L.L.M. in International Law and Taxation from Georgetown University Law School, where he graduated with honors. He then returned to Europe for additional post-graduate studies, including time at the Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands.

A Pioneer of International Law

Before launching Pittsburgh’s first boutique law firm, Joel spent some time working for the U.S. Department of Commerce in the Office of Chief Counsel for International Commerce. His tenure there gave him further experience in the intricacies of government affairs, a skillset which would later prove itself essential. He then joined Buchanan Ingersoll, one of the largest law firms in the country.

Joel Nagel founded Nagel & Associates, LLC in 1992. The firm develops and implements strategic plans that assist their global client base through complex legal issues, such as asset protection, international commercial transactions, structuring corporations in foreign markets, immigration and emigration matters and tax planning.

Global Specialization

Nagel is currently a member of the American Bar Association and has served on the board of over 25 companies

Being an attorney who specializes in international asset protection and global commercial transaction structures, has provided a wealth of experience in his role as Chairman of one of Belize’s premier banking institutions.

Caye International Bank, Ltd. was the first bank in Belize to become United States FATCA compliant. As the only international bank headquartered on the island of Ambergris Caye, Caye International Bank has a license to work with both corporations and individuals from around the world, to provide international banking services.

Not only does Attorney Joel Nagel bring solid international legal and banking experience to his role as chairman, but he is invested in the bank’s success within the greater community in which he has served for many years.

Pushing the International Envelope

Nagel’s strategic eye and willingness to push the envelope have enabled him to be a global entrepreneur, founding ECI Development and successfully concluding a number of high-profile projects in Africa, Europe and Central America. Among his development projects are transportation centers, hotels, retirement communities, and financial centers. 

Rounding out his immersion in foreign relations, Joel represented the Government of Belize as Ambassador to the U.N. in Vienna, Austria, as well as Ambassador to Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.

He has also served as Board Member and Secretary for the Violetta Chamorro Foundation and the Nicaraguan Development Corporation

Giving Back to Communities

Joel Nagel has  been involved in a variety of philanthropic activities. He has been a member of Rotary for over 25 years, serving as the President of the Pittsburgh Rotary Club, District Governor for the Rotary Clubs in Western Pennsylvania and the organizer and founder of the Ambergris Caye Rotary Club in San Pedro, Belize.

In his positions with Rotary, Joel developed the concept of building off-the-grid health clinics in Nicaragua, called the Roberto Clemente Health Clinics (honoring Pittsburgh Pirate baseball player Roberto Clemente who died delivering medical relief supplies to Nicaragua after the Earthquake of 1972). To date, Nagel in conjunction with Rotary have built three clinics in Nicaragua.

Nagel started the annual “Shark Tank Belize” program to help fund promising Belize start-up companies. He also sponsors the Christmas Toys Distribution Program together with the Living Word Church in San Pedro, Belize – the annual event began in 2009 and donates 1,000 to 1,500 toys to disadvantaged children each year.