José Arozamena
José Arozamena
Chairman and CEO
A graduate of the University of Southern California in Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mr. Arozamena has been an active participant in private equity investments in the U.S., Europe and Mexico since 1981. He has led transactions in the following industries:
- Industrial Products
- Non-Durable Branded Consumer Goods
- Durable Branded Consumer Goods
- Transportation Services
- Service Industries
- Wholesale Distribution
- Retail Distribution
From 2005 to 2008, through Cambium, Mr. Arozamena occupied the position of Operating Partner to Lehman Brothers' Merchant Banking funds III and IV in Europe, private equity funds with combined capital of over $ 2.0 billion. Mr. Arozamena was responsible for working with management of the invested companies, and in some cases assume the position of CEO, to set strategy, improve results and improve governance.
From 2003 to 2005, as CEO of Cambium, Mr. Arozamena led the acquisition of, or investment in, American Rice, Inc., Mineraqua Portugal Lda., and PetroAlianza.
From 1995 to 2003, Mr. Arozamena was Chief Executive Officer and Partner of Alpha Private Equity Group, a dedicated direct private equity investment vehicle for several large families. At Alpha, Mr. Arozemena was responsible for over 15 investments including Majorica and La Casera.
Mr. Arozamena has also been a strategic advisor to Thyssen Industrie, DAF Trucks, Grupo SOS and other international corporations.
Mr. Arozamena serves, or has served, on the Board, including acting as Chairman of the Audit and Compliance Committee, of various companies in Europe, Mexico and the U.S. and has taken full daily responsibility for the turnaround of over five companies in these markets. Among these companies are:
- Verallia, S.A. (France)
- Spumador, Spa (Italy)
- MW Brands, S.A. (France)
- SOS Cuétara USA, Inc. (Houston)
- American Rice, Inc. (Houston)
- Mineraqua Lda. (Lisbon)
- Saludaes, (Portugal)
- La Casera, S.A. (Madrid)
- Arglass, Inc. (New York)