Matthew Aho has crafted history-making market-entry strategies for Akerman clients across wide-ranging industry sectors including: short-term vacation rentals, airlines, cruise lines, online travel agencies, telecom providers, live music concerts and venues; film, sports leagues, information technology, and banking and financial services. A recognized authority on U.S.
Rear Admiral Alfonso Fabián González Belmonte is a graduate of the Heroic Naval School, where he earned a degree in Naval Science and Engineering in 1995. He achieved the rank of Rear Admiral in November 2023.
He has specialized in Maritime Meteorology and Naval Command and holds a master’s degree in Naval Administration (General Staff Diploma). Additionally, he has completed diploma programs in Teaching Education for Youth and Adults and Teaching Competencies.
Raúl Ruiz Robles is the secretary of economic development of Oaxaca. With over 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur, he previously led Grupo Barette and Industrias Electrometálicas. He has been a leader in Oaxaca’s business community, serving as president of COPARMEX Oaxaca and as a local advisor for Grupo Financiero Banorte. Committed to social responsibility, he leads the Mexican Electrical Foundation, supporting vocational training.
Originally from Orizaba, Veracruz, Sergio de la Maza is electrical mechanical engineer graduated from Universidad Veracruzana, and he is currently executive vice president and managing director of TenarisTamsa, leader in the steel pipes manufacture and services supply, mainly for the energy industry.
Ernesto Pérez Astorga is the secretary of economic and port development of Veracruz, a role he holds for the second time after being appointed again in 2024. He has had a distinguished political career, serving as senator of the Republic for Veracruz in two terms (2019-2020, 2021-2024). During his time in the Senate, he chaired the Finance and Public Credit Committee and was Secretary of the Foreign Relations Committee for Asia-Pacific and Africa.
Laura Ripani is the IDB country representative in Mexico. In this role, she leads a multi-disciplinary team that engages with both public and private sectors, partnering with clients and stakeholders to co-create and deliver economic development solutions. Previously, she served as chief of the Labor Markets and Social Security Division at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), specializing in labor markets and employment opportunities. Before joining the IDB, she worked at the World Bank on poverty and labor market projects in Latin America. She holds an M.A.
Marcelo Gilardoni is a career diplomat and has served in Los Angeles, Vietnam, Venezuela, Trinidad & Tobago, and Italy before becoming an ambassador of Argentina to Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar. He also held different positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina throughout his career. He was appointed to Consul General in Miami in 2024.
Jonathan Ruíz is the general director of Special Projects and Regional Editions at El Financiero, responsible for the edition of Bloomberg Businessweek México magazine and the strategy for expansion and audience growth in new markets.
Gregory Romero is senior vice president of Natural Gas Pipelines in Mexico since July 2024. In this role, Greg oversees TC Energy's operations in Mexico. TC Energy is the largest Canadian investor in Mexico, with approximately $11 billion in assets.