- After 20 years, of leadership, FIFCO CEO Ramón Mendiola will step down and retire.
- Under his leadership, the business has experienced unprecendented growth, while adopting a triple bottom line strategy that created a higher purpose for FIFCO and its 6,000 employees.
- Rolando Carvajal, current Chief Business Officer, will become the new Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2024.
October 24, 2023. San José, Costa Rica. The Board of Directors of Florida Ice and Farm Company S.A. – FIFCO- announced today, the retirement of Ramón Mendiola Sánchez’s as CEO of the company. He willleavie his position on December 31 of this year.
“First of all, I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to Ramón for these years in which we have worked together. Under his leadership, FIFCO has experienced an unprecedented transformation from a Costa Rican brewing company to an integrated food and beverage company, with complementary businesses in hospitality, retail and an expanded geographic presence in Central and North America,” said Wilhelm Steinvorth, president of FIFCO’s board of directors.
Under Ramón’s leadership, the business has experienced sunprecedented growth. In addition, FIFCO stands out in the world as a leading company in sustainability, with carbon positive, water positive and zero waste operations, besides promoting a balanced portfolio, smart alcohol consumption and addressing challenges such as multidimensional poverty. “During these years, Ramón has focused on making our purpose: bringing a better way of living to the world a reality, giving meaning to what we do every day, creating value beyond the economic, promoting social and environmental prosperity simultaneously in the countries where we operate,” added Steinvorth.
Ramón Mendiola shared an emotional message to FIFCO’s collaborators: “It has not been an easy decision, but I am ready and feel it is time to transfer the reins of this organization’sto the next generations that will undoubtedly continue holding FIFCO’s name high, safeguarding its essence, its culture and its outstanding reputation. I leave with the peace of mind of having fulfilled my mission and knowing that I leave in their hands a company in frank growth, we have highly valued brands that embracea holistic triple bottom line strategy that brings our purpose to life and gives meaning to what we do every day.”
Rolando Carvajal Bravo Named New CEO
In line with the succession plans, the Board of Directors announced Rolando Carvajal Bravo, current Chief Business Officer, as the new CEO, who will hold office on January 1, 2024. Rolando has more than 25 years of experience in business and has been an integral part of FIFCO for almost 20 years, supporting the company’s growth and achievements across different categories, as well as its geographic expansion.
“Rolando has the necessary credentials to assume the challenge of leading FIFCO to the next level. He is a team player, a born entrepreneur, and a commercial visionary. Personally, I believe that his characteras a prudent, polite and strong person will ensure that our company continues to enjoy a work environment based on respect and solidarity,” reflected Steinvorth.
About FIFCO
FIFCO is a beverage and food company with 115 years of history, and operations in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador and the United States, 7 manufacturing plants and 15 distribution centers. It has 3 business divisions that include “Florida Bebidas” (food and beverages), “Florida Hospitality” (real estate) and “Florida Retail” (retail sales). It exports to 18 countries around the world and has a portfolio of 1,500 products.
