The Extraordinary Assembly of Ecopetrol is preparing to approve this Tuesday the entry of six new members to the company’s board of directors, who were nominated by the government of Abelardo de La Espriella.
They are Carlos Augusto Suárez, José Camilo Manzur, Jorge Alberto Jaller, Ludmila del Carmen Vergara, Betzy Patricia Martínez, and Claudia Margarita Lafaurie.
Only three members will be ratified in their positions: Luis Felipe Henao, chairman of the board and spokesperson for minority shareholders; Ricardo Rodríguez Yee, for the producing departments; and César Loza, representing the workers.
At the meeting, held at the Ecopetrol headquarters in Bogotá, 72 shareholders attended, a considerably lower number than the more than 2,000 people who attended the ordinary assembly last March.
Carlos Alberto Castellanos, Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance, attended the extraordinary assembly representing the Nation as the majority shareholder of Ecopetrol.
These are the members of Ecopetrol’s board
- Luis Felipe Henao: Lawyer with ministerial background and experience on boards such as EPM and Banco AV Villas. His continuation ensures continuity to the board during a time of political transition and the appointment of the new CEO of Ecopetrol.
- Ricardo Rodríguez Yee: Industrial engineer, former deputy comptroller for Mines and Energy, former director of Upme, and expert in restructuring processes of state-owned companies. His continuation is especially relevant to avoid interruptions in forensic audits and to maintain the standards required of a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
- César Loza: Economist, Ecopetrol supervisor, and former president of the Unión Sindical Obrera (USO). His presence brings operational and labor perspectives, direct knowledge of the company, and experience in mining-energy regulation.
- Carlos Augusto Suárez: Lawyer, specialist in fiscal control, with extensive experience in crisis management and advising governors. He is the political communication strategist for President Abelardo De La Espriella and contributes expertise in narrative design, public opinion analysis, and reputation management.
- José Camilo Manzur: Civil engineer with a master’s degree in Economics and president of Asocodis. He understands regulation, tariffs, subsidies, the incorporation of renewable energies into distribution networks, and liquidity problems in the electric sector.
- Jorge Alberto Jaller: Currently the ambassador of Colombia to Venezuela. He worked for several years at Grupo Éxito, where he held responsibilities in retail and operations. He brings experience in large-scale business management, results orientation, and stakeholder management.
- Ludmila del Carmen Vergara: Lawyer with more than 25 years of experience in the public, financial, infrastructure, and construction sectors. She currently serves as Superintendent of Transportation.
- Betzy Patricia Martínez: Her career as a lawyer provides legal solidity, institutional experience, and the ability to manage risks and complex regulatory environments. She has worked for more than 25 years in the public and private sectors, with experience in contracting, infrastructure, banking, and administration.
- Claudia Margarita Lafaurie: She has more than 20 years of experience as a lawyer specializing in hydrocarbons, natural gas, and electric generation. Her time at the ANH and in the private sector allows her to combine knowledge of the State and regulation with a business perspective.