FOUNDING PARTNERS

HERMINIO BLANCO MENDOZA

President

Over the course of four administrations Dr. Blanco has played a key role in Mexico’s transformation in the global economic scene. He was Secretary of Commerce and Industrial Development (1994-2000), Undersecretary for International Trade Negotiations (1993-94), Mexico's chief negotiator of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (1990-93), Undersecretary for International Trade (1988-90), and economic advisor to President Miguel de la Madrid (1985-88). As Secretary of Commerce and Industrial Development he was responsible for the successful negotiation of free trade agreements with ten Latin American countries, Israel, and the European Union. He also contributed to the initiation of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with Japan.

Dr. Blanco received his Bachelor's Degree from the Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM) and his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Chicago.

JAIME ZABLUDOVSKY KUPER

Executive Vice President

During the NAFTA negotiations Dr. Zabludovsky served as Deputy Head of the negotiation. In 1994 he was appointed Deputy Secretary for International Trade Negotiations, assuming, among others, responsibility for the design and implementation of Mexico's trade strategy in the main international forums: WTO, OECD, APEC and FTAA, as well as for the implementation and administration of NAFTA and the free trade agreements signed by Mexico with Chile, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Colombia and Venezuela

He led the negotiations of trade agreements between Mexico and Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Israel, as well as the Agreements for the Protection and Reciprocal Promotion of Investments between Mexico and Germany, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, Holland , Luxembourg and Switzerland. He served as Ambassador of Mexico to the European Union and as Chief Negotiator of the Mexico-EU Free Trade Agreement (1998-2001).

Dr. Zabludovsky obtained his BA in Economics from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and a Ph.D. in Economics from Yale University.

FERNANDO JOSÉ SALAS VARGAS

Vice President

Dr. Salas is an economist specializing in applied microeconomics with extensive experience as a commercial negotiator and public deregulator. He has worked within the Economic Research Area of Banco de México (Mexico’s Central Bank) and served as an economic advisor to the President. In 1989 he collaborated on the privatization of the telecommunications company Teléfonos de México (Telmex). He participated in the NAFTA financial services negotiations (1991-94) and is co-author of the rules of procedure for dispute resolution mechanisms. He was also one of the Mexican negotiators of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC). From 1994 to 2000 he proposed to the Federal Executive and Congress the creation of the Federal Commission for Regulatory Improvement (COFEMER), a body he later presided.

Dr. Salas obtained his BA in Economics from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and a Ph.D. in Economics from Stanford University.

SERGIO GÓMEZ LORA

Chief Executive Officer

During nine years he represented Mexico in International Trade Negotiations.

He held several responsibilities at the Commerce and Industrial Development Ministry (SECOFI), as part of the International Trade Negotiating team. From July 1993 until late 1994, he was Trade Counselor in Mexico's NAFTA Office in Ottawa, Canada. He was also Director for International Trade Agreements, responsibility under which he followed-up the implementation of the NAFTA, as well as the five FTAs Mexico has subscribed with Latin American countries. He was also the Ministry of the Economy's representative for the implementation of the Environment and labor NAFTA side Agreements (1996-98). He was named Trade Counselor representing the SECOFI as part of the negotiating team of the Mexico-EU Free Trade Agreement.

He received his Bachelor's Degree in International Relations from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and his Master's Degree in International Relations from the Laval University in Quebec, Canada.

LINDA PASQUEL PEART

Legal Director

Ms. Pasquel advised Mexico’s Ministry of Economy on international trade negotiations for thirteen years. During that period she served as Director of Market Access, Rules of Origin, Intellectual Property and Customs Procedures. She was the lead attorney for the negotiation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Mexico and the European Union and for the FTA between Mexico and Japan. In 2004 she was appointed Deputy Director General of the Legal Consulting Office for Negotiations. She joined IQOM in May 2007 as head of the Legal Department.

Ms. Pasquel has a law degree from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM).