A Colombian Civil Engineer with a M.Sc. degree on Agricultural Economics from Cornell University. Currently, the Executive Director of the Colombian Corporation of Agricultural Research (Corpoica). With vast managing experience at the public and private sector where he has dealt with diverse issues such us policy design, business development, strategy, planning and project design and implementation.

On the public side, served in various roles; as Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Advisor to the Colombian Government on Coffee Matters and one of the lead negotiators of the Colombia-US Trade Promotion Agreement, among other roles.

On the private side, worked for TetraTech, Inc.as Deputy Chief of Party for a large development program in Colombia, served as Syngenta's Business Development Manager for the Andean Countries and the Caribbean, and has done consulting in food marketing. He was the Chief Commercial Officer of the Colombian Coffe Growers Federation.