published Tue, February 14, 2012
Maria das Graças Silva Foster takes over as CEO of Petrobras
Brazil’s President, Dilma Rousseff, was in Rio de Janeiro today (Feb. 13) to attend the inauguration of the new CEO of Petrobras, Maria das Graças Silva Foster.
An engineer and a 32-year career employee at the company, Foster
had been serving as the director for Gas and Energy since 2007. She
was born in Caratinga, in the state of Minas Gerais, and will take
over from Bahian economist José Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo, who
holds the record as the longest serving CEO at the helm of
Petrobras, with six years and seven months in office.
Dilma Rousseff, who for seven years
chaired the Petrobras Board of Directors, highlighted the Company's
importance for Brazil: "I am keenly aware of the competence of the
staff of this company, which represents the nation's ability to
overcome challenges. I want to say goodbye to Gabrielli, a great
companion who directed Petrobras over the past few years, and greet
Graça Foster, who will know how to continue with the achievements
made by the management that is now coming to an end, using all the
natural ability and integrity that have always underpinned her
professional life."
Gabrielli thanked Petrobras'
directors for the knowledge gained and ideas exchange. "I am sad I
will no longer be working with such extraordinary people. It is
unlikely that I will find such dedication, competence and
efficiency as there is among Petrobras' staff. Meanwhile, I am glad
to know that I leave the company in the hands of someone with such
ability, loyalty and companionship as Graça Foster. She is first
rate," he said.
The now former CEO of Petrobras
recalled how he gradually won the confidence of both market and oil
workers and looked back on some of the accomplishments of his
administration. "This unknown economist from Bahia managed to
overcome the initial distrust of the financial market and the oil
companies. As highlights of my term in office, I would like to
point to Brazil's achievement of self-sufficiency in oil, the
increased investments in refining and the Company's return to
petrochemicals, the creation of Petrobras Biocombustível and the
regulatory framework for the pre-salt."
Gabrielli also cited the creation of
the theme-based networks together with research institutions, the
domestic content policy, and the biggest share offer in history,
amounting to some $70 billion, held in September 2010. He credited
his many achievements to having been "a conductor of great
musicians", and wrapped up his remarks with a reference to his
sense of mission accomplished, "realized and recognized."
Also attending the ceremony were
ministers, congressmen, governors, mayors and other public
officials.
Date: 14/02/2012