IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Energy trader values outdoors, Africa
There’s an interesting phenomenon among Boca Grande residents: they tend to perceive their lives as rather mundane or uneventful. However, engaging them in conversation often reveals fascinating stories, and Doug Tinkler exemplifies this phenomenon.
Initially claiming he has little to share, Doug soon delves into recounting the time he found himself alone in a buggy canoe in Africa, facing a charge by three elephants. Indeed, Doug spent a significant portion of his life in Botswana, where he contributed to business development while encountering captivating experiences with both people and wildlife. This summer, Doug plans to return to Botswana to volunteer with a charity dedicated to assisting HIV/AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children.
Residing in Boca Bay for about eight months annually, Doug and Pam Tinkler divide their time between Boca Grande, Atlanta and various destinations, often chosen with Doug’s fishing pursuits in mind. While Idaho has recently become a favorite location for fishing, they also have plans to attend the Australian Tennis Open next year.
“My favorite fishing spot, however,” he revealed, “is right outside my back door.” The view and fishing opportunities from his bayfront property are indeed spectacular.
The Tinklers purchased their Boca Grande home a decade ago.
“I felt incredibly fortunate to have discovered Boca Grande,” said Doug. “A close friend from Atlanta bought a house here, and our children attended school together. One spring break, they invited us to join them at their new Boca Grande home. Despite my parents owning a condo in Naples for years, and having visited Boca Grande numerous times, they never mentioned its allure. They used to visit Boca Grande solely for lunch!”
“We spent the week here and within three days, we knew we had found something special,” said Doug.
Although they didn’t find anything that week, they established a rapport with a local realtor who kept an eye out for suitable properties. They purchased it sight unseen.
“We absolutely love it,” he said. “We were fortunate. We acted swiftly and acquired what turned out to be the perfect home for us. We cherish the view, and I spend countless hours fishing right outside our back door.”
Initially, Doug’s social interactions in Boca Grande were limited as he was still working. He focused primarily on fishing during his visits. However, as time passed, he made numerous friends and became actively involved in the community.
This inclination toward community engagement seemed inherent to their new home. “It appears to be a norm here,” Doug observed.
“While my wife acquainted herself with everyone – playing tennis, socializing, and now playing bridge, and hence knowing everyone on the island – I’ve become more acquainted over time,” he remarked.
This year, Doug ventured into tennis, discovering its unexpectedly social nature. He also harbors a secret affection for pickleball. Golf was his pastime, but since retiring, he’s devoted more attention to fishing and now, tennis.
“It’s been fantastic. I’ve met numerous people, and it’s incredibly social. Plus, I’m getting some exercise, which I thoroughly enjoy,” he noted.
Doug’s upbringing in Newtown, Connecticut, predates the tragic school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. Despite the family’s relocation from the town before the incident, they keenly felt the sorrow of the affected community.
Reflecting on his deep emotional response to tragedies, Doug recalled his decision during graduate school to participate in a program that took him to Africa — a choice that will see him returning this summer.
As an undergraduate, Doug initially pursued geology, desiring a career that embraced the outdoors. However, the harsh northeastern climate led him to shift his focus to business. Attending Vanderbilt University, Doug seized an opportunity during his second year to join the Emerging Markets Development Advisers Program initiated by the U.S. government’s Agency for International Development. The program aimed to bolster democracies and enhance lives by deploying recent business graduates to support private-sector enterprises in developing countries.
Feeling a sense of duty, Doug accepted the call. Twenty- three participants embarked on assignments.
Doug found himself in Botswana for eleven months, contributing to marketing efforts at Kwena Concrete, a company manufacturing concrete products. He also collaborated with the Botswana Development Corporation, striving to modernize the economy.
Doug vividly remembers Botswana’s transition in the early 1990s, buoyed by its diamond discoveries. Despite economic progress, the country grappled with the devastating impacts of HIV/AIDS.
Motivated by his connection, Doug is poised to return this summer to assist in humanitarian efforts, particularly focusing on orphaned and vulnerable children.
Reflecting on his journey, Doug acknowledges his unexpected attachment to Botswana and the promise he made to aid its children upon returning home.
Following a successful career in energy trading, marriage to Pam and raising two children, Doug retired and ventured into business ownership. He eventually sold his company and fully retired in 2021, prompting him to fulfill his vow to return to Botswana.
“When you make a promise like that to God, you really have to keep it,” he affirmed. “I am going back to Botswana. It is something I’d always said I would do.”
