Bob Normand

Bob Normand grew up in Massachusetts and lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Belgium and Florida over a period of forty years before moving to Costa Rica in 2008 for retirement.

He graduated from Villanova University with a M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, worked in the plastics and chemical industry for 17 years and then founded several small businesses in computers, computer supplies and office furniture. Later he was a principal management consultant to over 110 businesses and founded the Institute for Smart Business Management to help entrepreneurs turn around troubled businesses.

Writing and teaching have always been of interest to Mr. Normand and his teaching credits include several semesters as an Adjunct Professor of Small Business Management. He also wrote a book to help struggling entrepreneurs called: Entreprenewal - The Six Step Recovery Program for Small Business.

Mr. Normand writes a monthly newsletter called “The Golden Gringo Chronicles”, now approaching its 100th edition, to share his experiences living as an expat in Costa Rica. He also produced a paperback version of the Chronicles ("The Golden Gringo Chronicles" - A Practical Guide to Retirement in Costa Rica) that deals with the problems of relocation and obtaining residency in Costa Rica.