International CEO of the Year: the multinational executive who has increased company's profits and sales as well as developed new markets in Latin America and the Caribbean

Latin Trade, Nov, 2006

ANTONIO VIANA BAPTISTA

President, Telefonica Moviles

ACHIEVEMENTS As President of Spain's Telefonica Moviles, the Latin American wireless unit of Spanish telecom Telefonica, Viana Baptista oversaw a US$5.85 billion acquisition of BellSouth's Latin American assets. Furthermore, the company launched GSM networks in six countries. Telefonica Moviles also took on a new brand, operating under the name Movistar across Latin America.

BACKGROUND Viana Baptista has served as chairman and chief executive officer of Telefonica Moviles since August 2002. He is an economist with a degree from the Catholic University of Lisbon. He holds a post-graduate degree in European Economics and an MBA from INSEAD. Viana-Baptista is also a member of the board of directors of Telefonica.

QUOTE "There is still significant potential for penetration growth in Latin America."

LUIZ FERNANDO EDMOND

President for Latin America, AmBev

ACHIEVEMENTS The brewer boosted by 8.2% volume for beer sales in Brazil last year, the highest rate in a decade. Also in Brazil, net revenues per hectoliter increased 7% because of brand management to promote premium offerings, such as Bohemia (up 28%) and Original (up 44%). Despite higher sugar and aluminum prices and often-unfavorable exchange rates, the company cut its per-hectoliter costs by improving distribution.

BACKGROUND Edmond joined the Brahma beer company in 1990--it would merge with rival Antarctica to become AmBev--and held various positions in the distribution and sales departments. Edmond served as head of sales from 2002 to 2004 before taking over Latin America operations in 2005. He holds degree in engineering from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.

QUOTE "Although moving forward, we are not satisfied and will continue to pursue growth."

CRAIG HERKERT

President and CEO for the Americas, Wal-Mart International

ACHIEVEMENTS In 2005, Herkert oversaw acquisition of a third of Central American Retail Holding Company. Wal-Mart would raise that stake a year later. The retailer also opened more stores in existing countries, turning Latin America into one of the retailer's hottest growth markets. Wal-Mart also has expanded rapidly in its existing Latin American markets.

BACKGROUND Herkert has held his current position since January 2004. From 2000 to 2003, he was chief operating officer of Wal-Mart International, responsible for international merchandising, marketing, and operations. Prior to joining the U.S. retailer, Herkert spent 23 years with supermarket chain Albertsons of Boise, Idaho. Herkert holds bachelor of science degree in marketing from St. Francis College in Joliet, Illinois and a master's degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.

QUOTE "While we've accomplished a lot at Wal-Mart, we're never satisfied."