BNamericas has been running energy conferences in Latin America with an overall track-record of over 6 years. 4th BNamericas Andean Energy Summit has been successfully held for the previous 3 years.
For a copy of the draft program, please contact Kenneth Bauco at kbauco@bnamericas.com or 56 2 9410308. The final program will be available for download and viewing on the website by February 15, 2010.
Currently confirmed speakers include:
Abraham Abdala Bichara Handal
CEO
AES El Salvador, (El Salvador)
Studied Electrical Engineering and Administration, both careers at the Universidad Centroamericana “Jose Simeon Canas" UCA.
Currently, the president of the AES El Salvador companies, role he has overseen during the last year. Bichara, an engineer, has an outstanding professional and managerial trajectory, as well as extensive experience in the power sector, both nationally and internationally, which provide a significant strength for sound leadership based on extensive knowledge of the sector.
With 24 years of experience, he has had regional responsibilities, such as the AES Latin America Operations Director, in which he provided support and monitoring operations in many areas such as electrical power generation, distribution and marketing in the following 7 Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, El Salvador, Panama and the Dominican Republic. AES's businesses under his management included 48 generation plants capable of generating over 11,000 MW, plus 9 distribution companies whose market reached more than 8 million customers and had approximately 10,000 employees.
Alberto Cisneros Lavaller
CEO
Global Business Consultants (Venezuela)
He is currently CEO/President of Global Business Consultants (GBC) an outsourcing consulting firm in the areas of planning, negotiation and oil business, position he has held since 2003. He worked for Pdvsa and its affiliates for 20 years. In 1983 he joined the oil industry as Head of the International Energy Policies at Maraven, one of the former affiliates of Petróleos de Venezuela. And since 1992 he worked at the Strategic Planning Department of PDVSA as a Senior Advisor in International Energy and Politics until 2003.
From 1989 to 1992 he was part-time advisor in International Negotiations to the President of the Republic of Venezuela.
He is Full Professor at Doctoral level at the School of Law and Political Science in Central University, Venezuela, as well as the Center for Development Studies (CENDES) (1985-onwards). In his vast academic experience among the posts he had held were those of Director of the Master in Latin American Integration, at the Institute of High Administrative Studies (IESA), in Caracas, Venezuela (1981-1983); and Associate Visiting Professor at the University of Illinois, in Urbana Campaign, USA (1984).
Alberto is an attorney by training, graduated at the National University of La Plata, Argentina, in 1971. He earned his master in Political Science at the same University in 1972 and his PhD in Political Science and International Relations at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA, in 1977.
Alex Lima
Managing Director
Enterprise Sales, Canada, Latin America, Caribbean, Microsoft (United States)
Alex Lima more than 27 years of experience in Manufacturing and Information Technology. As the Managing Director of Manufacturing Industries for Microsoft Latin America and Canada, his mission is to understand Microsoft clients’ business issues and how Microsoft products and services, extended with a large ecosystem of partners, can address them. He is part of the Microsoft Global Manufacturing Leadership and the Global Industry Leadership teams. He has worked in oil and gas, utilities, chemical segments in a variety of capacities, in sales, business and manufacturing operations, consulting and in IT.
Alex Lima is considered an expert in the applications of IT as an enabler of supply chain management, of manufacturing operations, industrial automation and product development. Alex is particularly interested in the problem of business and IT alignment, particularly IT governance, and in helping Microsoft clients to invest in collaboration, unified communications, integration, Office technologies and in maximizing the ROI of IT.
Alex Lima is a frequent speaker in international events, participating in events in Asia, Latin America, US and Europe. He has published and written a couple of articles and has hold frequent meetings with industry leaders, analysts and executives. Alex Lima has a BS in Mechanical Engineering, a MBA and a MS in Industrial Engineering, with focus on the computer simulation of manufacturing environments. He has a series of specialization degrees, including artificial intelligence from MIT.
Before joining Microsoft, Alex Lima worked at Hewlett Packard worldwide, in Cap Gemini with large US and Canadian clients and as CIO of Alumax Engineered Metal Processes in St Louis. He has lived in the US, in Canada and Latin America.
Alex lives in Miami - Florida with his wife and 2 children.
Alvaro Jose Rodriguez
Partner
Posse, Herrera & Ruiz Abogados
is a partner of Posse, Herrera & Ruiz and his practice covers a broad range of corporate law matters, concentrating in natural resources and energy law (including oil & gas, mining, power generation, biofuels and environmental law), mergers and acquisitions and related finance transactions.
Alvaro Rios Roca
Socio Director para America Latina
Gas Energy y DI International
Alvaro Ríos, partner of Gas Energy and Managing Director of Gas Energy Latin America since 2008, has over 25 years of experience in regional energy issues and mainly oriented to the natural gas chain. Mr. Ríos is the former Executive Secretary of OLADE (Latin American Energy Organization) a multi-governmental organization based in Quito, Ecuador (2006 to 2007) and a former Minister of Mines and Energy of Bolivia (2003 to 2004). Mr. Rios has spoken in numerous international energy events, written articles and been interviewed extensively on Latin America energy issues. Mr. Rios has assisted designing and participated in teaching in energy master and postgraduate programs in Bolivia. Has a degree in Chemical engineering from Texas A&M University and postgraduate studies in Chemical Engineering from University of Houston. He has also been Managing Partner of Mediterranean Energy in Lima, Peru, and senior advisor of joint World Bank-Bolivian Energy Ministry project on Natural Gas in 1991-1992. Mr. Ríos started his carrier as an international project coordinator and manager for the Latin American market in the petrochemical industry (Generon Systems, a DOW Chemical joint venture; P.R.M. Corp.; Carco International Corp.)
Álvaro Ríos Ramírez
Colombian, Knowledge and Projects
Energy and Resources, Deloitte (Colombia)
Álvaro has a 9-year experience with the Firm and 20 years of experience as auditor and consultant in local and international entities, participating and supervising different engagements in private and public companies in sectors such as:
• Energy, Oil & Gas
• Telecommunications
• Basic Sanitation
• Manufacturing
• Services
• Commerce
Currently, Álvaro is the Lead Partner of the Management Audit Division and Public Utilities Consulting Services for Colombia. He leads the Energy and Public Utilities Industry.
He is the partner responsible for all in management and results audit engagements in public utilities in the energy industry (transportation, generation, distribution and commercialization) and basic sanitation (aqueduct and sewage, and cleaning), gas (transportation and distribution), management audits for key processes or activities in public utilities and multilateral banking companies.
In the public utilities sector, there outstand audit and consulting projects such as: The Auction for Allocations of Energy in Firm (“Subasta de Asignación de Energía en Firme”), Energy Exchange (“Bolsa de Energía”), National Dispatch Center (“Centro Nacional de Despacho”), Transportation System Management (“Gestión del Sistema de Transporte”), Analysis of the Electrical System and Advisory for Energy Purchases (“Análisis del Sistema Eléctrico y Asesoramiento para Compra de Energía”), Loss Reduction Plan (“Plan de Reducción de Pérdidas”), energy efficiency in aqueduct and sanitation companies.
The following are among its clients: Interconexión Eléctrica – ISA, Expertos en Mercados – XM, Grupo ENDESA, Grupo Unión Fenosa, OXY, Transelca, ISAGEN, Empresas Publicas de Medellín, EMCALI, Grupo Promigas, Termovalle, Empresa de Acueducto de Bogotá, Gas Natural, CNEE de Guatemala, Telmex, Telefónica, etc.
Álvaro is a professor in the public utilities specialization at Universidad Externado de Colombia and Universidad de San Buenaventura teaching management audit; he is a lecturer in graduate courses and enterprise forums, as well as instructor in local and international courses.
Álvaro has participated in multiple technical, administrative, and managerial education courses at local and international levels.
Andres Sammartino
Sales Director
Andean & Southern Cone Region, Power & Water Solutions, Emerson Process Management - Latin America (Colombia)
Andrés Sammartino has a University degree in Electronic Engineering from “Universidad Nacional de San Juan - Argentina”, and also holds an MBA degree from “Universidad Argentina de la Empresa – Argentina”. He has a broad experience in both O&G automation and Power automation business after working 15 years within different main global automation providers. Now he is based in Mendoza, Argentina, managing the Power & Water Division from Emerson Process Management in South America
Arnold Volkenborn
Vice President
Schlumberger Business Consulting, (México)
Arnold Volkenborn has more than 15 years of combined technical and consulting experience in the hydrocarbon industry. Arnold’s areas of expertise include strategy development, performance improvement and program implementation. Before joining Schlumberger Business Consulting, Arnold worked as Principal in the Chemicals and Petroleum Practice of Charles River Associates and as senior manager at Arthur D. Little, Inc in Boston and Mexico City. In the early part of his career Arnold worked for The M. W. Kellogg company based in Houston.
Bernardo P. Cardenas M
Partner
Cardenas & Cardenas Abogados (Colombia)
Brian Brokowski
Vice President Marketing & Communications
SG Biofuels (Guatemala)
Brian Brokowski has more than 15 years experience in communications and marketing working with corporate, consumer, government and non-profit organizations. Mr. Brokowski specializes in brand and reputation development, media relations, issues management and crisis communications. He most recently consulted with Sempra Energy where he managed media efforts surrounding several high profile renewable energy projects. He spent ten years with Fleishman-Hillard, one of the largest public relations agencies in the world, where he led programs for some of the nation’s most recognized brands, as well as emerging companies. Mr. Brokowski graduated magna cum laude from the University of San Diego with a degree in communications and political science.Brian Brokowski has more than 15 years experience in communications and marketing working with corporate, consumer, government and non-profit organizations. Mr. Brokowski specializes in brand and reputation development, media relations, issues management and crisis communications. He most recently consulted with Sempra Energy where he managed media efforts surrounding several high profile renewable energy projects. He spent ten years with Fleishman-Hillard, one of the largest public relations agencies in the world, where he led programs for some of the nation’s most recognized brands, as well as emerging companies. Mr. Brokowski graduated magna cum laude from the University of San Diego with a degree in communications and political science.
Carlos Alberto Barreto Nieto
Director
Ampet de Colombia (Colombia)
(Petroleum Association of Municipalities of Colombia) Master in Economics and economist: Universidad Nacional de Colombia.
Carlos Colom Bickford
President
Presidente, CNEE (Guatemala)
PROFESIONAL EXPERIENCE
2007- To date: Comisión Nacional de Energía Eléctrica – CNEE, Guatemala (Electricity Sector Regulator)
• President
2004-2007: Instituto Nacional de Electrificación – INDE, Guatemala
• General Manager and Secretary of the Board of Directors (2005-2007)
• Coordinator of the Hydroelectric Promotion Office (2004)
2003-2004: The Walsh Group, Chicago, IL
• Project Engineer
2001: Del Valle University, Guatemala
• Professor of the Engineer Faculty
- Head Professor of the Hydraulic and Pneumatics Systems classes for those in the Engineer Major in their last semester
- Student teacher for certain classes, such as Material Science
Carlos Lopez
Regional Director
PIC-Marubeni Energy Group
Charle Gamba
President & CEO
General , Canacol Energy (Colombia & Brasil)
Mr. Gamba founded the Corporation in 2008. The majority of his professional career was spent working in various technical and management roles with a variety of major and mid-sized international oil companies. Prior to creating Canacol, Mr. Gamba was Vice President of Exploration for Occidental Oil and Gas Corporation based in Bogota, Colombia. In his 8 years with Occidental, Mr. Gamba lived and worked in Ecuador, Qatar, Colombia, and the USA, working in a variety of technical management roles. Mr. Gamba has also worked for Alberta Energy Company in Argentina and Ecuador, and for Canadian Occidental Petroleum in Indonesia, Australia, and Canada. He started his professional career as a geologist with Imperial Oil in Calgary. Mr. Gamba holds an MSc and PhD in geology.
Clovis Francisco Santos
Gerente de Exploración y Producción
Petrobras Colombia (Colombia)
Edgardo Alfredo Calderón
Gerente de la UE
SIEPAC (Costa Rica)
Eduardo Reyes
Executive Director of Operation
Globally Green Energy Consortium (Panamá)
Ing. Reyes has held the position of Deputy Administrator General of ANAM (Vice Minister rank) since 2004. For the last five years, his duties focused on assisting the General Administrator in achieving all the environmental objectives that Panama mandates by law. Eduardo Reyes has been engaged in the UNFCCC process since 2002 and dealt with Climate Change issues since 2000 under CDM, and Adaptation Projects under UNDP. His last two meetings after Poznan COP 14 were the AWG-LCA and AWG-KP talksand SBSTA, SBI, AWG-LCA and AWG-KP both in Bonn from March 29 to April 8, 2009 and from June 1st to June 12th, where he participated in all issues under negotiation that ultimately will shape the content of the post 2012 Agenda that should be reached at Copenhagen next December 2009.
He is the UNFCCC focal point in Panama, the GEF technical point in the country, and the active negotiator under UNFCCC processes. Ing. Reyes was also the Technical Focal Point for The Global Environment Facility (GEF), which deals with Biodiversity, Desertification, and Climate Change issues for the Resource Allocation Fund (RAF) and other GEF funds. He is the appointed head of the National Designated Authority (DNA) whose duties include the education regarding CDM activities and processes, the structuring of projects as possible CDM qualifying projects, and the building of a portfolio of possible CDM projects. His work with CCAD, ANAM, and UNFCCC involved responsibilities as Country Coordinator of the Environmental Energy Partnership (EEP) program under the auspices of the Government of Finland. In this capacity, he was part of the EEP Steering Committee (ESC) that evaluated project proposals from Central American countries. Due to his strong involvement in the EEP, Panama jumped from having one project approved in the period January 2002-August 2004 to having 26 approved, out of 52 presented at the date of writing (2009), the result of being very creative and innovative in all the proposals submitted, and of following at all times the issues concerning transfer of technology as specified in the UNFCCC.
Eduardo Rocha Perez
Partner
Deloitte (Colombia)
Eduardo has worked with tax consulting for the past 14 years, supervising work for clients in various sectors, such as oil and gas (upstream, midstream and downstream), energy and utilities,and manufacture.
As Partner of the Tax and Legal Division, Eduardo has developed projects related to Corporate Tax Consulting (Colombian and International Taxation), Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Restructuring, Transfer Pricing, and has actively participated as speaker in international and local events.
He was the leader of the team hired by Petrobras in Colombia for the international restructuring of the group.
Eduardo graduated as lawyer and obtained his postgraduate degree on Straight Power Mining. He is member of the Oil and Mines Lawyers Bureau, the Colombian Institute of Tax Law (ICDT for its acronym in Spanish) and of IFA Colombia. His further academic background includes courses on International Oil Finance at the University of North Texas, Oil Legislation, International Power Industry, Transfer Pricing: Basic Foundations, and has attended several Worldwide Mining Encounters.
Federico Echavarria Restrepo
Gerente general
AES Chivor & Cia S.C.A. E.S.P (Colombia)
Francisco Charry
President
EB&T (Colombia)
Frank Thiel
Vice President and Regional General Manager - Mexico
Intergen (México)
Vice President and Regional General Manager - Mexico
Frank Thiel is responsible for the day-to-day management of InterGen assets in Mexico (1,100MW La Rosita Power Project, 271MW Chihuahua Power Project, 252 Campeche Power Project and 51% of the 600MW Bajio Power Project).
Prior to this, Mr. Thiel managed the InterGen interest in the 460MW Quezon Power facility in the Philippines. Mr. Thiel has also served as a Vice President responsible for operations and maintenance of InterGen’s United Kingdom, Netherlands, Turkey and Egypt operating plants. Prior to joining InterGen in 1996, Mr. Thiel held positions with Westinghouse Electric Power Corporation, Bechtel Power Corporation and Marine Pacific of California.
Mr. Thiel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from California Coast University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resources from the University of San Francisco.
Graham Dallas
Senior Manager
International Business Development, London Stock Exchange (UK)
Graham Dallas is a senior manager at the London Stock Exchange, where he heads a team responsible for the Exchange’s Business Development activities across the Americas. He plays an integral role in building and maintaining the Exchange’s profile and presence in the corporate and advisory communities of London and the financial centres of Europe, North and South America, focusing on attracting international companies to the London markets.
His team has won listings of companies from Brazil, Peru, Argentina and Mexico, as well as the USA and Canada.
Graham has worked in the capital markets of London, Paris, New York, and Hong Kong, and joined the London Stock Exchange in 2002.
Hector Ulloa
President
Structure Banca de Inversión (Colombia)
Henry Jimenez
VP and COO
Centro Energético de Las Américas (Panama)
Chemical Engineer (BA-1977), Master of Science in Engineering (MSEng.-1981) and Master Business Administration (MBA Studies-1981), at University of Texas Austin, all with Honors.
More than twenty five (30) years experience in the worldwide energy hydrocarbon industry. Has served as Director of Operation (COO) for large EPC contractor in Latin America, General Manager of Capital Projects and Engineering for a major Oil company, Business Development Manager, Project Director, Training Manager, Process and Project Engineer; Also, as downstream plant manager, operation superintendent and plant engineer. Scope of projects has ranged from feasibility studies to EPCTK of grassroots industrial complexes valued in excess of US$3.0 billion. Operational facilities handled have ranged from gas compressor stations to large processing facilities and pipelines, with capacities of 2.0 BSCFD of gas, 500 MBD of oil refining, 100 MBPD of NGL, 10 Mtpa of LNG and 200 MBHP.
J.M. "George" Castellanos
President
ININCORP (Colombia)
U.S. Citizen, multicultural origin (Latin America/US) with solid interpersonal skill and good business acumen. Natural deal maker, communicator and team builder, with strong and proven senior management and cross-cultural corporate skills, can successfully interface with all levels of management and/or government in a multinational business environment. 100% Language fluency and commercial proficiency in English and Spanish. Partial proficiency Portuguese and French.
Over 20 years proven experience in international engagements with U.S. Fortune 500 multinationals, (Cinergy, Enron, KCPL, Exxon, Occidental Petroleum, Morrison Knudsen, Williams) in major Infrastructure (Oil, Gas, Coal, Pipelines and Power/Energy) projects.
Proven experience in identifying business opportunities, developing successful business proposals, structuring & analysis of business transactions project financial models and most important, successfully closing deals.
Ines Helena Velez Perez
Gerente de Gas
EPM (Colombia)
has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from EAFIT University, a master’s degree in International Business from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, a degree in Information Systems from EAFIT University and several courses in high Management and Marketing, among others.
Currently she is the General Manager for the Natural Gas service of Empresas Públicas de Medellín – EPM – leading the competitive strategy for the developing and expansion of natural gas in homes, small businesses, fueled natural gas vehicles and major industry in the Department of Antioquia and other municipality’s of the country.
She previously was a Commercial Assistant Manager in the electrical Transmission and Distribution service, her main goal in this position was to improve the knowledge of customers with low income and design for them different options of billing, payment and avoiding frauds in the electric service. She has had other positions such us: Assistant Manager for Major Industry Customers, Chief for the Electric Energy Sales Division and chief of Financial Energy Department, all in EPM.
EPM, since its creation in 1955, is an integrated state owned Utilities Company property of the municipality of Medellín, administrative entity of this city, capital of the Department of Antioquia, Republic of Colombia.
It provides electric energy, natural gas, water, sanitation and telecommunications services with high international quality standard satisfying customer’s needs. EPM provided the telecommunications services directly until June 2006, when all the Telco business was split to create EPM Telecomunicaciones S.A. E.S.P., UNE, subsidiary of the EPM corporate Group.
She is a member in the following Board of Directors: Transoriente, Naturgas and Fundación Integrar S.A.
Javier Genaro Gutiérrez Pemberthy
President
Ecopetrol (Colombia)
• CEO since January 22, 2007
• Previously served as CEO of ISA since 1992
• More than 30 years of experience in the Colombian energy industry
• Received several awards as the best enterprise leader in the country
• Mr. Gutiérrez earned a degree in civil engineering, a master’s degree in industrial engineering from Universidad de los Andes and a specialization degree in finance from Universidad EAFIT
Javier H. Cuervo Carmona
Senior Energy Economist, División de Energía (ENE/CCO),
Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (Colombia)
Jay Gallegos
CEO
Mesoamerica Energy (Costa Rica)
Jay has a Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Sevilla, Spain. He was an instructor and founder of the Training Center in Wind Energy in California. He has extensive experience in wind power, having held numerous positions in this field over the last two decades, including: Field Engineer, Training Director, Recruitment and Training for all new sites, Director of Technical Translation, Construction Supervision, Turbine Erection, Commissioning, Maintenance Manager, Site Manager, and General Manager. His international experience includes projects in Spain, Holland, India, North America and Central America. Jay has dedicated the last 16 years to the PESRL wind project in Costa Rica, and recently, the last 5 years, to developing and growing Mesoamerica Energy, currently serving as CEO.
John Paul Moscarella
Senior Managing Director
Emerging Energy & Environment LLC (United States)
Mr. Moscarella is Senior Managing Director and Principal for CleanTech Fund. He has over 20 years of clean and alternative energy experience including fund management, project development, carbon finance and management; and co-founder of AIM-listed Econergy, a renewable energy developer that built up a 260 mw (170 mw net) portfolio, sold to GDF Suez in 2008. MBA, Yale; BS, Engineering, Cornell.
Jorge Barrigh
Managing Director
Natsource (Panama)
With roots in Honduras and Ecuador and currently based in Panama City, Panama, Jorge Barrigh has over 14 years experience in the energy, environment and finance space.
Currently he is Senior Managing Partner and Founder of SENGEN Investments S.A., an environmental investments & advisory firm based in Panama.
In this role, Mr. Barrigh is currently engaged as Senior Advisor to a US based Private Equity Fund currently focused on Renewable Energy Investments in Latin America and the Caribbean, a European based global leader in Carbon Asset Management, and a Canadian Environmental consulting firm.
Prior to his current activities, Mr. Barrigh was Managing Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at Natsource LLC, where he led their carbon transaction origination and investment activities throughout the region.
Jorge Neher
International Partner
Macleod Dixon (Colombia)
Jorge's practice areas include mining, oil and gas electricity and energy, environmental law, foreign investments, administrative law and international commercial law.
Jorge’s mining practice is the largest in Venezuela but also includes extensive experience in Colombia and other countries of Latin America, such as Mexico, Peru, the Guyanas, etc. It includes advice to major and junior mining companies on acquisitions, joint-ventures, corporate and project finance, regulatory and environmental matters, development of projects of precious and base metals, precious stones, industrial minerals, coal, etc.
Jorge’s experience in the oil and gas sector includes mergers and acquisitions, structuring of equity and project finance in Canadian and other international markets for resources companies, mainly in Colombia.
In the power sector, Jorge has advised domestic and international clients in matters concerning privatization of integrated and distribution utilities; BOOs and BOTs, project finance for IPPs, regulatory matters and others.
Jorge joined the firm as Principal in 2003, after nine years as Partner of his own law firm in Caracas. Before that he was an Associate for four years and Partner for two years at a Venezuelan law firm of international repute (1989-1994). During 1993 he worked with the London law firm Linklaters and Paines (now Linklaters).
