Who I am

DRIVEN | DISCIPLINED | DELIBERATIVE | DILIGENT | DISCERNING | DECISIVE | DUTIFUL

Agile C-level executive and senior leader with a lifetime of entrepreneurial and corporate experience. Masterful at scaling enterprises for fast-track growth in consumer products and software/technology. Known for driving revenue and organizational change in global markets with high cultural competence and adeptness at understanding diverse markets. Recognized for skills in organizational integration, and transformations. Emphasis on generating value and strategic execution. Strong communication skills always pursuing simplification and engagement of stakeholders. Open to new challenges and creative consulting opportunities.

Areas of expertise:

  • CPG, Grocery and food Retail Expertise: Significant experience in diverse sales channels for CPG products; specifically product placement, inventory supply, negotiation, brand highlighting, and trade marketing, among others.  

  • Turnaround Leadership: Extensive experience leading organizational turnarounds and business transformations. Most frequently leveraged on technology /data analysis and cultural change.

  • Management Consulting: Previous experience in management consulting.

  • Strategic execution:  leadership of time sensitive projects in consulting context. 

  • Mergers & Acquisitions: Proven record of accomplishment managing and leading mergers, integrations, and carved out options.

  • Private Equity Experience: Experience working with Private Equity-owned or backed companies.

  • Cross-cultural Competence: Skilled at adapting product and service offerings to different markets.

  • Strategic Partnerships: Experienced in structuring international business partnerships.

  • Governance: Knowledgeable in board governance and reporting.

  • Business Innovation: Creative vision in driving product and service innovation.

  • Organization Building: Skilled in recruiting, developing talent, and aligning people, processes, and systems.

  • Marketing and Sales: Proficient in propelling revenue, market share, and customer capture.

  • Financial Stewardship: Strong financial planning and analysis skills.

  • Technology Deployment: Effective in selecting and managing technology at the enterprise level.

Recent Engagements

  • Business Consulting: Management and strategic orientation for fast food company (Alicrio) with production facilities, and 80 + fast food locations nationwide and franchises (2024). Distribution of products in retail and food service space.   

  • Board Memberships:  recruited by Heidricks & Struggles as  President of the Board of Directors at Grupo Y, a complex industrial rubber company exporting to LATAM markets (2022 to Date). Member of the Board of Directors of the Columbus School (private bilingual school).

  • Digital Transformation: Consultancy services to deploy and expand digital products in a multi-plant, $40M USD printing company (Cadena SA - From 2022 to 2023).

  • Business Brokerage: Associate with Next Coast Brokerage of CA, USA, brokering significant technology transactions in Latam, and Senior Advisor of MD Investment Banking.

  • Community Impact: Member of the Investment Committee, Bogota Chamber of Commerce Board, charged with directing resources to promising startups.

Professional History

PRODUCTOS RAMO [2016 – 2020] - Bogota, Colombia
President [2018 – 2020] • Board of Directors [2016 – 2018]
Developed and executed disruptive business strategies, expanding the business into new product lines and implementing formal corporate governance. Transformed a $250M USD family business into a corporate entity, entering new markets (from bakery to snacking), and optimizing distribution, achieving unprecedented sales and volume growth (+ 7%).

JOHN RESTREPO & CIA [2014 – 2018] - Medellin, Colombia
General Manager
Turned around and modernized a multi-channel distributor, achieving profitability and positive EBITDA. Led the turnaround of a $200M USD distribution enterprise, simplifying operations, reducing inventories, streamlining logistics, reshaping its culture, achieving positive EBITDA within a two year span.

BIMBO [2011– 2013] - Peru and Mexico
Corporate Director, Mexico | General Manager, Peru
Restructured the management team and optimized operations, significantly increasing EBITDA. Improved the Peruvian subsidiary’s results and sustainability, increasing EBITDA by 213%.

PROEXPORT [2008 – 2011] - Miami, FL
USA Trade Commissioner
Led efforts to promote Colombian exports, tourism, and foreign direct investments, exceeding performance quotas. Secured record FDI´s (US$ 11,000 Million annually) into Colombia, and drove tourism programs, significantly increasing American tourist visits by 183%.

SOFTLAND-MECOSOFT [1990 – 2008] - Bogota, Colombia
President (Andean Region) [2005 – 2008] • Founder and President [1990 – 2005]
Founded and grew a software company, achieving international prominence and a successful sale to Softland International Group (PE Owned). Founded and grew the business to an important valuation, establishing it as a leading ERP/accounting systems provider in LATAM.

EDUCATION:

STANFORD UNIVERSITY - Executive Management Certificate
UNIVERSITY OF EAFIT - Master of Business Administration
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS - Bachelor of Science, Computer Science
INALDE - Certificate of Corporate Governance