Chemistry was always present in my home. My father was an intelligent entrepreneur in the chemical industry, and my aunt had a degree in chemical sciences. I became a chemical engineer purely out of vocation and rejected the idea of becoming a sales engineer during my studies. I was a trainee at the most important chemical company in Spain in its Strategic Planning Division, a role that was not very technical but very financial. I then landed at Westinghouse Spain as a Refueling Engineer for 6 years, where I worked in a highly technical role and eventually became responsible for the Decontamination and Radioactive Waste Treatment Department.
A shift in direction: I entered the HVAC world. In 1990, I was recruited as the General Manager of Tour & Andersson Spain (TA), a Swedish multinational leading the global market in HVAC systems hydronic balancing. In this managerial position, I was also the marketing director, sales director, and financial director…for the same salary. I promoted Total Balancing starting from scratch, giving hundreds of lectures, and writing numerous articles. I was responsible for developing operations in Latin America, and when the English Group IMI acquired TA, I was promoted to Vice President.
Another shift: in a management buyout, we purchased Commtech Spain, a commissioning services subsidiary of IMI, and acquired the representation rights for Fagerhult, a Swedish multinational leader in lighting solutions, establishing Fagerhult Spain. Four years later, we sold both companies to Fagerhult AB. During all those years, I technically and commercially promoted commissioning services, which were scarcely applied in Spain. My intensive engagement with ASHRAE since 2009 was crucial for this promotion.
Over a year ago, I retired from Fagerhult and we completed a management buyout to acquire back Commtech, where I am the managing director, and a partner. I’m a current member of the Spain-Sweden Chamber of Commerce Board.
Technique, commercialization, management, and entrepreneurship have been my drivers. I continue to enjoy my profession and responsibilities daily and am fortunate to keep learning.