Odebrecht
#166 VOL. XL MAY/JUNE 2013
English Edition
PEOPLE
Each individual’s contribution
makes everyone grow
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Online edition
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Online archive
Odebrecht
#166 VOL. XL MAY/JUNE 2013
English Edition
>Odebrecht Agroindustrial’s
Young Partner Program provides
a broader perspective on the
company’s business and propels
professional careers
>Organized by the Rota das
Bandeiras concession company,
the Hit the Net program brings
digital inclusion to rural youth
in São Paulo State
>In Angola, an internship
program for Civil Engineering
students offers opportunities
for professional growth and jobs
with the organization
>The community council improves
communication between
Braskem and the communities
in the vicinity of the Triunfo
Petrochemical Complex
>Read the story of Nércio Hex,
a Braskem leader in Rio Grande
do Sul who is admired for his
quiet, down-to-earth
leadership style
PEOPLE
Each individual’s contribution
makes everyone grow
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> Reports, features, videos and photos.
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> The Savvy Project interviews Wilmer
Castro, the officer responsible for
Production on construction projects in
the Dominican Republic
> Students produce designs for plastic
furniture for the Odebrecht Building in
São Paulo and win awards through the
Odebrecht Braskem Design Challenge
> “Mestre Pará,” a supervisor who has
been with the Group for nearly 40
years, leaves the Corinthians Arena
project to work on Line 5 of the São
Paulo Metro
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> NEW CONCEPT OF URBAN LIVING
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Odebrecht
Cover: Cremildo Massona,
an Odebrecht member
working on the Moatize
Expansion Project in
Mozambique.
Photo by Guilherme Afonso
#166
8
An essential investment in grooming leaders
at Odebrecht Agroindustrial
10
Mozambique: young people get growth opportunities
through strategic projects for their country
16
Community: programs that are changing lives in the
vicinity of two major projects in Mozambique
18
Braskem: establishing a way of thinking and acting that
calls for close harmony with the client’s teams
23
A corporate initiative gives design students an
opportunity to show their creativity
26
Interview: Fábio Januário and the mission of expanding
the Group’s presence in three countries on different
continents
30
The story of Alcinéia, who believed in herself, acquired
skills, earned respect and became a leader
32
High-quality community relations are a highlight of the
Rio Metro construction project
35
A wind power project in Rio Grande do Sul generates
synergy among generations
38
In Salvador, Bahia, homeless people and ex-convicts get
a chance at a new life
42
“Mestre Pará”: a seasoned construction supervisor puts
his experience on major projects at the service
of education
44
An “out of the office” conversation with Ricardo Weyll,
Danilo Abdanur, Félix Augusto Martins and Carlos
Brenner
46
Expat members’ wives join forces to help the needy
in Buenos Aires
50
In Argentina, Verónica Spirito always takes pleasure
in encouraging people to grow and develop
52
Angolan professionals hone their skills and play
a leading role in their country’s development
people
The map shows the
countries and Brazilian
states (in beige) where the
projects showcased in this
issue of Odebrecht Informa
are underway,
and where the people
featured in these reports
live and work
58
A team that came together, sought knowledge
and faced unusual situations, including a major
incident
60
Erlon Arfelli and the experience of a family that
is far from their home country
62
The feelings and tactics of expats who live far
away from their families
65
In the debut of the Ideas section, read about
polyethylene insulation used to soundproof
buildings, and other technological innovations
66
Gregory, Mark and James: American members
who have found good reasons to make their
careers at Odebrecht
69
Savvy: check out some of the highlights of the
statement by Wilmer Castro, who is on the
Odebrecht team in the Dominican Republic
70
Geraldo Villin and Carla Barretto are contributing
their experience to build team unity at Odebrecht
Properties
72
Antônio Cardilli receives an award from Engineering
News-Record magazine in the United States
74
While participating in an Odebrecht Foundation
project, Umberto Matteoni finds out that you can go
home again
76
Final chat: Institutional Relations and PR consultant
Rosi Gomes discusses what motivates her most about
her work
6
odebrecht informa
EDITORIAL
“This issue
of Odebrecht
Informa is about
people’s daily
lives in the
context of their
relationships
with their coworkers, clients,
partners and
communities,
as well as
the sphere
that could be
considered the
most important
factor for
all kinds of
teamwork: the
family”
M
People
who like
people
ichael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball stars of
all time, once said that talent wins games, but teamwork wins championships. He knew what he was talking
about, not only because he was a genius in a major team
sport but because, over the course of his career and his life, he has
always valued the quality of interpersonal relationships. This issue
of Odebrecht Informa is about all of that: people’s daily lives in the
context of their relationships with their co-workers, clients, partners
and communities, as well as the sphere that could be considered the
most important factor for all kinds of teamwork: the family.
You will find many stories in the following pages. Like how the
team of a drilling ship used their know-how and, above all, team
spirit, to prevent an unthinkable tragedy. You will discover how a
highly determined female company member managed to overcome
personal and professional challenges and achieve a leadership position in a historically male environment. You will see how people from
different generations interact in mutually enriching ways, which enables everyone to develop and overcome the physical, business and
philosophical limitations of the project on which they are working.
You will attest that sincere, respectful and responsible dialogue between companies and communities can get results that are not only
surprising but often invaluable for everyone involved. You will also
meet families that have become more mature and united after living
in several different countries.
All this and much more is at your disposal in the features and
sections of this issue of Odebrecht Informa, the last one to be published with the current editorial approach and format. Get ready for
something new. Just as it reaches its 40th anniversary (in October
2013) our magazine will be rejuvenated and transformed. The aim
of this makeover is to keep pace with the changes underway within
the Odebrecht Group, which, since its inception, has been made up
of people who love a challenge and are endowed with an inspiring
capacity to reinvent and improve themselves, constantly changing on
an unchanging basis.
the unity
8
Rodrigo Silva
(left) and Hugo
de Almeida:
making the
most of growth
opportunities
8
odebrecht informa
crew
Nearly 70%
of Odebrecht
Industrial’s
members are under
35 years of age
written by Eléa Almeida photo by Ricardo Teles
J
uraci Bastos, the officer Responsible for
People and Administration at Odebrecht
Agroindustrial’s São Paulo Hub, is a good
example of how the company’s investments in grooming young people are
contributing to local development. Juraci, 32, joined
Odebrecht in 2007, when the Alcídia Unit, where he
worked, was acquired by the company then called ETH
Bioenergy. Since then, he has worked on four action
programs that have involved taking on and overcoming
increasing challenges to achieve a leadership position
of ever greater complexity.
“Odebrecht Agroindustrial’s investment in the next
generation is a plus. It encourages young people to re-
main in their home regions and generates much higher local growth,” says Juraci, who was born in Teodoro
Sampaio, São Paulo. Today, as the leader of the People
and Organization program, he is one of the company
members chiefly responsible for organizing programs
that focus on the new generations and present them
with fresh opportunities. “When young people develop
in our organizational culture, our more experienced
members and the company itself will grow along with
them,” adds Juraci. “Grooming leaders is essential to
the perpetuity of Odebrecht Agroindustrial and the entire organization.”
Odebrecht Agroindustrial is one of the youngest
companies in the Brazilian bioenergy sector, and almost 70% of its members are under 35 years of age.
The company and its members are very similar in
terms of their youth and growth potential. Many people join the company fresh out of college, attracted by
the development opportunities it offers through several educational programs.
One of those initiatives is the Young Partner program, which selects about 40 young people per year to
undergo the process of acculturation within the Group.
In the second year, some Young Partners participate
in the Young Agroindustrialist program, which has
already groomed about 170 members. A partnership
with the National Industrial Apprenticeship Service
(SENAI) also prepares Young Apprentices between
the ages of 18 and 22 for their first job opportunity.
Rounding out the list, the company’s Internship and
Developing Entrepreneurs (PDE) programs focus, respectively, on college students and professionals with
leadership potential. All of these programs are tools
odebrecht informa
9
Juraci Bastos:
leadership in an
environment where
investing in the
next generations is
a top priority
for supporting individual development, but the foun-
“The potential for people’s development and recog-
dations for grooming company members lie in Educa-
nition here is amazing. It would have been impossible
tion through Work.
for me to complete my studies and achieve a lot of
things, like owning my own home, without the com-
Optimism, openness and drive
10
pany’s backing,” explains Rodrigo.
Outside the company, members are encouraged
According to Antônio Ailton Andrade, the officer Re-
to supplement Education for Work with courses
sponsible for People and Administration at the Mato
specifically related to their fields. This was the case
Grosso do Sul Hub, young people contribute a great deal
with Rodrigo Silva, the administrative supervisor for
to Odebrecht Agroindustrial, thanks to their optimism
Procurement at the Mato Grosso do Sul Hub. He had
about the future, innovation and openness to change, de-
been working at the Eldorado Unit for five years when
sire for growth, and penchant for swift action.
Odebrecht Agroindustrial acquired it in 2008. Rodri-
Based on 36 years’ experience in the organization,
go was a 21-year-old administrative assistant at the
the leader argues that the advantage of the strong
time. The company encouraged him to invest in his
presence of members under the age of 35 is ensur-
education, and he finished his Business degree that
ing that the business keeps going thanks to people
same year.
who are both acculturated and imbued with the spirit
odebrecht informa
Horácio Enokihara
of change. “Young people see the bioenergy sector as
well. Young people are innovative: they might make
an environment that is conducive to their growth and
mistakes, but they have a strong desire to do things
consistent with their way of being, and working with
differently,” says Hugo.
more experienced people is very rewarding. It’s a winwin relationship,” he observes.
The energy of those younger members is contagious, and affects the seasoned professionals who
One of Antônio Ailton’s former direct team mem-
recently joined the company. This was the case with
bers, Hugo de Almeida, 27, planned to leave his
Maria Zélia de Sena, a farm machine operator at the
home state of Mato Grosso do Sul before joining Ode-
Conquista do Pontal Unit, whose son, work front lead-
brecht Agroindustrial. However, the growth opportu-
er Marcelo Barbosa de Sena, encouraged her to keep
nity the company offered him made him rethink that
going with her professional education. Marcelo coun-
decision. In five years, Hugo has gone from sanitation
sels young people to devote themselves to work and
worker and janitor to administrative supervisor at
self-development, “and never forget to help their co-
the Eldorado Unit. He says that his personal experi-
workers.” He adds: “Within the company’s philosophy,
ence has made him strive to set an example for other
the ethos of service, planned delegation and decentral-
promising young people. “I’ve made lots of mistakes.
ization make the relationship go smoothly: the older
People can question what I do, and I take criticism
members believe in their younger co-workers.”
odebrecht informa
11
12
A NATION
renewed
written by Edilson Lima photos by Guilherme Afonso
Young Mozambicans
get work opportunities
and are groomed for
leadership positions
Jorge Maltezinho
(left) and Francisco
Tembew: relationship
of trust
W
hen he traveled by plane for the
first time at the age of 6, Francisco Tembe was so enchanted
that, from then on, he dreamed of
being a pilot. However, the years
went by, he grew up, and Electrical Engineering spoke
louder when it came time to choose a profession. But as
luck would have it, both of his dreams eventually came
together. When he was interning with the company in
2011, Francisco worked on the Nacala International
Airport project, which Odebrecht built in Mozambique.
Today, at the age of 26, he has an Engineering degree,
and is helping build electrical, electronic and air navigation facilities in his country. He proudly declares: “I
have learned a great deal about airports and aircraft,
because everything has to be connected.”
Francisco was born in Maputo, the nation’s capital.
When he was 6, he and his family moved to the city of
Beira, in Sofala Province, where he went to primary and
secondary school. A dedicated student, he was always
at the top of his class. In high school, he took art class
and discovered a passion for drawing, which, together
with his curiosity about electricity, led him to study
Electrical Engineering.
After interning on the airport project, Francisco
graduated from college in late 2011. He was hired the
following year, and joined the first group to take part in
Odebrecht’s Young Partner program in Mozambique.
that area, but he is so dedicated to his work that it wasn’t
“He is a talented young man who is committed to ev-
necessary. When he has an issue he comes straight to
erything he does,” says Engineering Manager Jorge
me, and we find the solutions together.”
Maltezinho, who follows Francisco’s work closely.
14
On the basis of this relationship of trust between
Maltezinho was born in Mozambique when it was
the leader and team member, Francisco recently over-
still a Portuguese colony. In 1976, a year after his coun-
came a major challenge for himself and the project:
try gained its independence, he moved to Brazil, where
traveling to São Paulo to meet with the manufacturer
he majored in Civil Engineering. He lived there for 13
of the electric generators and decide which model to
years before returning home, where he worked on sev-
use. “At first, I was nervous about dealing with such
eral engineering projects before joining Odebrecht in
experienced people, but everything went well and we
2009. His first project for the company was the coal pro-
closed the deal,” he recalls. Maltezinho recommended
cessing plant for the Moatize Coal Mine, a Vale venture
Francisco for the 2013 edition of Odebrecht’s year-long
based in Tete Province. By the time he joined the airport
Young Builder Program. “I’m eager to learn more,” says
project in 2011, he had acquired a tremendous amount
Francisco.
of experience, which he shares with his team members
According to Nuno Teixeira, the Project Director for
on a daily basis. “Our relationship is based on trust,” he
the airport, bringing young Mozambicans into the com-
argues.
pany is critical for its growth. “In addition to creating
Speaking of Francisco, his leader, Maltezinho, says
opportunities for people who are from here, with all the
the young man was a pleasant surprise: “We were going
positive impacts that entails, it also makes the company
to hire an experienced professional to lead the team in
increasingly national and identified with this country.”
odebrecht informa
Cremildo Massona with
co-workers at the jobsite:
determined to achieve
his goals
Numbers for Nacala
and Moatize projects
Nacala International Airport
Begun: 2011
Valued at:
People (peak):
Earthmoving:
Asphalt:
Drainage system:
Metal structures:
Floorings and coatings:
Delivery: 2014
USD 202 million
1,050
2,100,000 m3
85, 000 t
9,700 m3
1,700 t
34,000 m2
Moatize Project
Phase 1
Begun: 2008
Valued at:
People (peak):
Concrete:
Reclaimed land:
Earthmoving equipment:
Expansion
Begun: 2012
Valued at:
People (peak):
Earthmoving:
Concrete:
Earthmoving equipment (units):
Civil construction equipment (units):
Delivered: 2012
USD 1.1 billion
7,000
127,365.43 m3
4,255,529.64 m3
208
Delivery: 2014
USD 490 million
3,500
4,500,000 m3
70,000 m3
130
70
A necessary stimulus for growth
promoted to General Foreman, taking responsibility for
Cremildo Massona, 29, was just as eager as Fran-
several teams at once. “I realized that this was a chance
cisco to take part in the Young Builder program. He
to grow, so I pursued my goals,” he says.
joined Odebrecht in 2008 as a Hydraulics Technician on
Ângelo recalls that he made a point of urging his team
the Moatize Coal Project. Recognizing his hard work,
member to go to college and get a degree in Civil Engi-
talent for leadership and commitment, his leader, Ân-
neering: “As his leader, my role is to encourage him to
gelo Souza, the officer Responsible for Civil Construc-
increase his knowledge and leadership ability.” So it was
tion Management, recommended him to take part in
that Cremildo enrolled in a private university in 2010. Half-
the program. “Cremildo is a very charismatic leader.
way through his studies, he bravely tackled his demanding
The way to keep growing is to offer ever greater chal-
work load at school when construction of the first phase
lenges,” he says.
of the Moatize Coal Project reached its peak in 2011. The
Cremildo was born in Quelimane, in Zambezia Prov-
following year, during the second phase, the Moatize Ex-
ince. In 2003 he moved to Maputo, where he took a tech-
pansion, Cremildo was promoted to Infrastructure Super-
nical course in hydraulics and worked until 2008. When
visor, heading a team of over 90 workers.
he arrived in Moatize, all he saw was savannah stretching
“We encouraged Cremildo to take on this new chal-
for miles around. “I took part in virtually all the hydraulic
lenge, which he did with humility and courage. To give
installation projects, from the jobsite to the accommoda-
you an idea, some of the people on his team used to be
tions,” he says. Cremildo began his career with the Proj-
his leaders,” says General Construction Manager Mar-
ect Engineering team and, subsequently, became the
cos Camargo. Everything went smoothly, and still does.
Team Supervisor for the production area. In 2009, he was
To say the least.
odebrecht informa
15
COMMUNITY
The power of
good vibrations
In Mozambique, educational
and vocational initiatives are
helping the nation develop
written by Edilson Lima photo by Guilherme Afonso
I
n the shade of a mango tree,
With a view to providing job
a group of 30 women from the
skills, Odebrecht is also running
Mathapué community who are
the Acreditar Professional Educa-
participating in the Acreditar (Be-
tion Program at Nacala and the
lieve) Literacy Program meets ev-
Moatize Expansion Project, which
ery day to learn to read and write.
the company is carrying out in Tete
Organized by Odebrecht in the vi-
Province. All told, 2,284 people
cinity of the Nacala International
have graduated from the program.
Airport construction site in Mo-
A partnership with the National
zambique, the program focuses on
Institute of Employment and Voca-
training literacy teachers to work
tional Training (INEFP) is enabling
with adults, particularly women,
Acreditar to share knowledge and
for whom the illiteracy rate is as
ensure its sustainability. “This
high as 81% in that country. Forty-
partnership is key to making Mo-
five literacy teachers graduated
zambican workers more competi-
from the program in 2012, and
tive,” says Eduardo Chimela, the
they are already at work in local
Institute’s General Director.
students
Father Lucas Romão, from the
are progressing on a daily basis,
Dom Bosco School’s Acreditar Ed-
because the teaching method is
ucational Center, observes: “In ad-
based on everyday experience,”
dition to technical training, these
says educator Zinha Aquitial.
courses teach values.” Margarida
neighborhoods.
“The
The company also offers the
Manica, 22, is a program gradu-
Acreditar Apprentice Program for
ate who now works as a bricklayer
on health (Health+), providing
teenagers (aged 13 to 18), who are
on the Moatize Expansion Project.
basic civil documents (Citizen-
taking on more and more of a lead-
She says she feels fulfilled: “I be-
ship Counter) and closing the
ership role in Nacala. “Here I’ve
lieved in this opportunity, and I’m
digital divide through computer
learned what it means to be a good
proud of who I am.”
education (Hit the Net). In the
past two years, these initiatives
citizen, and to respect and value
our culture,” says Fula Pucudade,
18. Fifty-six teens are currently
benefiting from the program.
16
odebrecht informa
The path to sustainability
have
Odebrecht also offers pro-
people. To ensure the sustain-
benefited
some
14,000
grams in Mozambique that focus
ability of these social outreach
Acreditar
Literacy Program
participants:
mobilizing people in
Nacala
programs, the company’s teams
nesses and institutions in order
for 2013 is to carry out programs
are implementing partnerships
to guide investments in social
that will create work and income
aimed at transferring knowl-
projects,” emphasizes Reinaldo
opportunities through a business
edge to the Government and lo-
Souza, the officer Responsible
model for agriculture. To achieve
cal organizations. “We are cre-
for Odebrecht’s Social Outreach
this, Odebrecht will act as a cata-
ating a forum for the Integrated
Programs in Nacala.
lyst for local initiatives that are
and Sustainable Development of
To make the most of the op-
already in place, linking together
Nacala, with the participation of
portunities that Odebrecht’s con-
programs run by the Government,
the Government and local busi-
struction projects create, the goal
NGOs and donor agencies.
odebrecht informa
17
quality
in relationships
A key factor that makes Braskem
teams and their work stand out is
close harmony with clients
written by Luiz Carlos Ramos photos by Celso Doni
18
18
odebrecht informa
From left, Émerson
Madaleno, Elaine
Almeida, Marco Valério
Antunes, Hagop
Guerekmezian and
Hagop Guerekmezian
Filho: an informal and
productive relationship
A
t one end of the supply chain, there’s
Going from small polyethylene bags to PVC com-
Braskem, which produces raw mate-
pounds was a major leap for the manufacturer. Karina’s
rials with multiple uses. At the other
sophisticated machines make the compounds from
end, there’s the client who buys the raw
Braskem’s PVC resin, obtained by processing salt and
materials and converts them into fin-
ethylene with electricity at the industrial complexes in
ished products. But there are people behind the logos
Bahia and Alagoas. Karina’s production of 25,000 metric
– trained and sensitive people who do more than take
tons of PVC compounds/month is used to make shoes,
care of business: they create relationships of respect
packaging, electrical conductors and other products in
and friendship. And if the respect between credible
Brazil and over 20 other countries.
companies is spontaneous, the strength of the friend-
“I am an entrepreneur who thinks outside the box.
ships established between their professionals helps
It takes hard work, but I thank God and my father for
both sides join forces, consolidating partnerships and
all this,” says Hagop, standing alongside Valério and
ensuring mutual growth.
two other Braskem team members – sales assistant
The results of these harmonious relationships can
Elaine Almeida and engineer Emerson Madaleno. His
be seen in the four stories on the following pages. Ode-
son, Hagop Guerekmezian Filho, joins the conversa-
brecht Informa talked to the protagonists, four com-
tion. At the age of 26, Hagopinho, as he is known, is a
mercial account managers from different sectors of
mechanical engineer who does not regret trading kart
Braskem whose daily routines are based on relation-
racing for a role in the company’s management. “I have
ships with clients that are true partners. These are
a competent successor in him,” says Hagop, who also
just a few examples of similar cases that can be found
has two daughters.
throughout Brazil.
One thousand professionals work at the factory,
which now has a polyethylene and polypropylene unit
Valério, Hagop and growth
that uses Braskem’s raw materials. Karina’s Supply
It’s a rare day when Marco Valério de Moura An-
Manager, Galeno Farias, monitors the loaded trucks
tunes, Braskem’s PVC Accounts Manager, does not get
that arrive from northeastern Brazil. “It has been won-
in touch with Hagop Guerekmezian of Karina. “Some-
derful to see the work at the complex progress these
times I call Valério to discuss supply, but we also talk
past eight years,” says Valério. “Hagop’s enthusiasm is
about the economy, politics, family. We’re friends,” says
contagious. I feel like a member of the team.” Hagop
Hagop. He is the CEO of Karina, South America’s leader
smiles and confirms: “The admiration is mutual. I am
in the PVC compounds market.
grateful to Braskem, which supplies me with PVC, and
The two men’s business relationship began two
years ago, but the companies’ partnership dates back
to 1979, the year Karina was created in Guarulhos, São
brings me luck and friends like Valério.”
Jorge, Jair and solutions
Paulo – at the time when Odebrecht began investing in
In São Paulo, Braskem Polyethylene Market Man-
the Chemicals & Petrochemicals industry in Camaçari,
ager Development Jorge Alexandre Silva picks up the
Bahia, through CPC, one of the companies later con-
phone and dials the cell phone number of Jair da Rosa,
solidated under Braskem.
who is in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul:
“It’s been 34 years, and we have been Karina’s
“Where are you? Do you need anything?” Jorge has
most important supplier for all that time,” explains
worked at Braskem for 10 years. Jair joined Multinova
Valério. “We grew up together,” adds Hagop, as he
Indústria de Embalagens Plásticas two years ago. The
and Valério visit the company’s modern plant, located
company is a plastic packaging manufacturer estab-
in a 160,000-m² area near Guarulhos International
lished in 1988 in Farrukhabad, RS, now with branches
Airport. “When I was 21, my father, Antranig, gave me
in São Bento do Sul, SC, Simões Filho, BA, and Jaguar-
a plastic extrusion machine and rented a warehouse
iúna, SP.
next to this big lot, which I later bought to grow the
Multinova’s recent entry into the construction mate-
plant,” recalls the businessman, who is of Armenian
rials market has everything to do with Braskem. Jorge
descent.
Alexandre explains: “It’s a new application. After test-
odebrecht informa
19
From left, Fabiano
Munhoz, Éder
Campos Filho and
Paulo Freire:
shared reflections
and joint action to
find solutions
ing at the IPT [Technological Research Institute] in São
client and friend,” says Jorge, smiling, as he puts the
Paulo, we found that we can manufacture polyethylene
phone down.
foam used for soundproofing, thermal insulation and
protection for floors and walls. It is a cost-effective so-
20
Paulo, Éder, Fabiano and innovation
lution, as well as environmentally friendly, unlike wool
One April morning, Paulo Freire leaves the
glass and asbestos.” The company makes five types of
Braskem office in Salvador, in his home state of Ba-
foam insulation, all in accordance with ABNT [Brazilian
hia, and gets on a plane to Belo Horizonte, where Éder
Technical Standards Association] standard no. 15.575,
Ferreira Campos Filho and Fabiano Munhoz are wait-
which comes into effect in July. Construction compa-
ing for him. Braskem’s PVC Account Manager, Paulo
nies use Multinova’s insulation products, which are
has been with the company for 11 years. Éder is a
made from raw materials supplied by Braskem.
director of Precon in Pedro Leopoldo, Minas Gerais.
Jair da Rosa, Multinova’s Corporate Sales Manager,
Fabiano is an engineer, “born in São Paulo, a Bahian
says: “This partnership has enabled important achieve-
by choice and a Corinthians fan by passion,” and the
ments, such as publicizing Multinova products and
Odebrecht Project Director responsible for building 37
exhibiting them at the International Construction Exhi-
schools for the City of Belo Horizonte, through a PPP
bition in São Paulo in March. There was no room left
(Public Private Partnership). The client is Inova BH, an
for a booth at Anhembi, but Jorge Alexandre got us the
affiliate of Odebrecht Properties.
space.” Odebrecht construction companies have taken
When the three men get together, orange PVC roof
an interest in Multinova’s foam insulation and are now
tile samples appear – this is a new product Precon has
using it on their projects. “This is what we can do for a
made from Braskem raw materials, which will be used
odebrecht informa
in the schools. Éder explains: “Three years ago, Precon,
which has a 50-year track record in the roofing market,
went out in search of alternative materials and found
Braskem’s PVC.” The new roof tiles are economical,
lightweight, sturdy and fire retardant.
Precon started production at its new plant in
Marechal Deodoro, Alagoas, in the second half of 2013,
near the new Braskem complex. Paulo Freire observes:
“This cross-cutting is going to be replicated on other
Odebrecht projects, which will make these PVC roof
tiles well known in the Brazilian market.” Fabiano
Munhoz says that the tiles will be used in all of the 11
schools that are already under construction. Braskem’s
presence in these projects will go even further, Paulo
predicts: “We are in negotiations to ensure that the PVC
pipes and fittings and vinyl flooring we use in this project are also supplied by Braskem partners.”
Carlos Alvim and a brotherly bond
Thirty-five years ago, Carlos Soares Freire joined
the newly created Salgema, a manufacturer of chlorine and caustic soda based in the city of Maceió,
Alagoas, which Trikem acquired in 1996 and was consolidated under Braskem in 2002. Carlos lives in Rio
de Janeiro. He is an Account Manager, and one of his
From left, Cenibra staff members Lázaro Borges, Arnaldo Nick Junior, Efigênio Alvim and Cirino Silva, with Braskem’s
processing plant in the background: alignment and partnership
odebrecht informa
21
Jorge Alexandre Silva
talking to Jair da Rosa,
from Multinova: when
personal contact isn’t
possible, technology
helps out
clients is Cenibra – Celulose Nipo-Brasileira, a pulp
its output by train to Portocel in the Vitória metropolitan
manufacturer based in Belo Oriente, Minas Gerais,
region in the state of Espírito Santo, as well as export-
in that state’s Steel Valley. Efigênio Alvim has worked
ing it to manufacturers of paper and other items.
for Cenibra for 37 years. Today it is 100% Japanese
owned, with over 8,000 employees.
22
Alvim explains: “Carlos is like a brother to me. He’s
an outstanding professional, and he also tells great sto-
To produce about one million metric tons/year of
ries.” Carlos Freire says: “We are their exclusive suppli-
pulp, Cenibra processes wood from large tracts of
ers. We’ve created a very strong and positive relation-
eucalyptus forests, using caustic soda supplied by
ship with Cenibra, which goes beyond the professional
Braskem to whiten their product. Cenibra ships 95% of
and commercial spheres.”
odebrecht informa
Alessandro
Camara, from
Mais Packing:
debunking myths
with creativity
movement
I
creative
written by Alice Galeffi photos by Murilo Mattos
The Braskem
Design Challenge
helps expand the
plastic furniture
market in Brazil
“
t only succeeded because people were
caught up by the idea,” explains Carla Bar-
retto, speaking of the Odebrecht Braskem
Design Challenge. In addition to making
room for Brazilian design, teaching young
apprentices and enabling the creation of innovative
23
products that will be used in the outer area of the
new Odebrecht Building in São Paulo, the project
also helped explode the notion that plastic furnish-
ings are synonymous with stackable chairs and pool
furniture.
Carla is the Managing Director for Private Proper-
ties at Odebrecht Properties (OP), the company that has
Group portrait (from left): Jessica Leite, Filipe
Tucunduva, Renata Fernandes, Alessandro
Camara, Mônica Evangelista, Rafael Conforto,
Carlos Zardo Jr., Cesar Moraes and Cecília
Siqueira: business and academia join forces
to change paradigms
invested in and will manage the Group’s new building.
While developing the design of furniture that will be
used in the living spaces of the building, Carla saw
an opportunity to work with plastic items. Corporate
furnishings developed by Brazilian designers with this
material are in short supply, and it was found that the
end price of imports was more competitive than the
domestic alternative. Soon, the opportunity materialized. With the help of the Braskem team, they came up
with an initiative that would contribute to the development of this market in Brazil.
Mônica Evangelista, Braskem’s PP (Polypropylene)
Market Development Director for Construction and
Buildings, coordinated the development of a new project:
a challenge involving design students, encouraging them
to develop a family of furniture (a chair or stool, table and
chaise longue) using plastic as the raw material. The
winner’s designs would be produced nationwide.
Partnerships with universities
The Challenge was made possible by partnerships
with other institutions. Participating universities (the
24
odebrecht informa
that they could somehow reflect it in the furniture they
created. After that, the competitors heard presentations on issues such as sustainability, the life cycle
analysis of plastic and the product’s benefits. The third
phase was devoted to the creation and conceptualization of their designs. “The entire process was amazing because the atmosphere wasn’t at all competitive.
Mais Packing conducted it very well,” says Renata
Fernandes, a member of the FAAP team.
The winning design
“ELO” (“LINK”) was the name that the Challenge
winner, the IED team, gave to its line of furniture.
The theme was a reference to the Odebrecht Entrepreneurial Technology (TEO). According to the team,
TEO is the link that holds the organization together.
“What impressed us most about TEO was the fact that
it is the organization’s ‘brain,’ so we designed a line
inspired by the science of bionics, with neurons and
their branches, which all start from the same point,”
says Cecília Siqueira.
Istituto Europeo di Design - IED, Armando Alvares Penteado Foundation - FAAP, Centro Universitário Belas
Artes and Mauá Institute) recommended their best students and coordinated their teams. The Mais Packing
design company stepped in to advise the students, who
interned with the agency for three months during the
project development phase. Tramontina, a Braskem
client and the largest producer of plastic furniture in
Brazil, was responsible for manufacturing the items.
The first step of the Challenge was the briefing. The
participants learned about the company’s culture so
But the FDI team was not the only winner. Everyone involved in this project won too: OP will get
the exact type of furniture the company wanted;
Braskem had a chance to work with young talent
and demonstrate new uses of plastic; Tramontina
will mass produce the winning team’s furniture, as
well as the other teams’ designs; and, of course, all
the participants have had an opportunity to delve
into the job market, learn about design and client
relations, and be mentored by experienced and
qualified professionals.
odebrecht informa
25
Interview
Fábio Januário at
the Tower of Belém
in Lisbon: “We need
to bring Brazil to
Portugal”
26
26
odebrecht informa
nations
link between
written by José Enrique Barreiro
photos by Lia Lubango/Lusco
odebrecht informa
27
F
ábio Januário keeps an intense in-
OI – How would you complete this sentence:
ternational schedule. As Odebrecht’s
“The Angolan people taught me that...”
CEO for Portugal, Libya and the
FÁBIO - .... resilience and perseverance are very
United Arab Emirates, he seeks to
important. I learned that a people should never
closely monitor the business agenda
give up; they must always believe in their country
in these countries. But whenever he’s in Lisbon,
with immense potential.
he always makes sure to do two things: spend
time with his wife, Priscilla, and sons Hugo, 10,
OI – You’ve spent time with young Ango-
and Rafael, 5, and run 10 km five times a week.
lans, and now you are working with young
“I try to balance work and dedication to my family
Portuguese people. What about each of them
and health.” An engineer with a degree from the
caught your attention?
University of São Paulo (USP), he found his first
FábiO – The stages are different. The Portuguese live
job opportunity at Odebrecht, which he joined as a
in a mature country with a different business context.
trainee in 1994. In 1998, he went to Angola, where
The young Angolans impressed me with their motiva-
he worked for 14 years and became a Project
tion, their will to rebuild their country, to play their part
Director. Since September 2012, he has led the
in a young nation. In historical terms, we can say that
Odebrecht Group’s businesses in the three coun-
Angola was born yesterday, since it became indepen-
tries for which he is CEO. Neither the recession
dent in 1975, less than 40 years ago. Naturally, drive
in Portugal nor the period of transition in Libya
and commitment must be supplemented with experi-
nor the highly competitive market in the Emirates
ence and training, and that was precisely our role.
seem to faze him. That is understandable: at the
age of 27, newly married, he left São Paulo to live
OI – And what impresses you most about Por-
in Luanda and help the Angolan people rebuild
tuguese youth?
their country. “For me, challenges are synony-
FábiO – They are people with excellent academic
mous with motivation,” he says. “Few organiza-
backgrounds who speak several languages and
tions in the world would be able to offer growth
are easily mobilized and adaptable, because they
opportunities as rich and diverse as the ones I
are carrying on with the Portuguese tradition of
have had at Odebrecht.” In this interview, Fábio
setting out into the world in search of opportuni-
Januário talks about people, his experience in
ties that dates back to the times of the great navi-
Angola and how he intends to overcome this new
gations. The Group needs to make the best use of
challenge.
this capacity to increase the number of non-Brazilian expatriates in our international operations.
Odebrecht Informa – What is the most im-
28
portant thing you saw during the 14 years
OI – What is the formula for Odebrecht’s suc-
you spent in Angola?
cess in Angola?
Fábio Januário – I found a people that is very
FábiO – Our strategic agenda is very simple. It
receptive to Odebrecht and Brazil; a people that
consists of drive, courage, and creating opportuni-
needed support, appreciation and organizations
ties with Angolan characteristics. This is one of our
like ours that believe in them. We sought to in-
main features, our way of being, our philosophical
clude an increasing number of Angolans in our
values, our clear intention to establish a perma-
organization. While they are integrated into the
nent presence in the countries where we are pres-
company and assimilate our culture, they also
ent. The essence of our success is working with
teach us a great deal. They were committed and
local content in our business’s supply chain. But
took on the challenge, and together we have
it is important to say that if we have achieved a
helped each other in the task of rebuilding the
great deal, we still have a significant way to go in
country.
that country.
odebrecht informa
OI – What gratified you most in Angola?
and Brazilian and Portuguese businesses in general.
FábiO – My biggest thrill was seeing our projects
Portugal invests much more in Brazil than the other
completed. At the inauguration of the first stand-
way around. We have to handle that balance better.
pipe in a musseque (slum) in Luanda, people who
We must bring Brazil to Portugal. As for Libya, it is
had never had access to treated water before were
essential to leverage Brazil’s agenda in that country
celebrating it as a major achievement in their lives
through the support of the government and Brazil-
- and that was very moving. That was in the be-
ian institutions, as well as the performance of our
ginning. Luanda has made tremendous progress
large companies. Together, these actors could make
since then, and today the challenges involve a
a significant contribution to the reconstruction of the
new, rapidly developing Angola.
New Libya.
OI – Now you’re in Portugal. What was it like
to move from an independent nation that
was, as you said, “born yesterday,” to a country that was born 900 years ago?
FábiO – Angola has been experiencing tremendous
economic growth for over a decade. Portugal and Libya are at different stages. Portugal is going through a
recession, with limited opportunities. That means we
need to be very creative, rethink our operations and
develop new businesses. Libya is in transition, and our
future in that country will depend on the development
of its political and economic landscape. Odebrecht and
Brazil are ready to help Libya follow the path of success in building the New and Free Libya. In the UAE,
the challenge is altogether different. There we have a
wealthy nation, a different culture and a highly com-
“For us, at
Odebrecht,
talking about
people is not
rhetorical. We
are focused
on people, not
processes”
Fábio Januário
petitive economy. We’ll need creative projects and attractive costs, while ensuring that the people who are
hired locally and regionally assimilate our entrepre-
OI – As a leader, how do you establish rela-
neurial culture as quickly as possible. Our number one
tionships with people? Is there any particular
priority is the focus on the performance of the Pump-
way to go about it?
Station infrastructure works and sanitation project in
FábiO – For us, at Odebrecht, talking about peo-
Abu Dhabi, to ensure the creation, sharing and rein-
ple is not rhetorical. We always put our trust in
vestment of the wealth created and thereby establish
people. We are not focused on processes, but on
a sustainable basis for our growth in that country.
people - even in the industrial businesses. Our
ability to educate them and promote their growth
OI – What are the plans for Portugal and
is our biggest differentiator. My main strategy is
Libya?
to offer my time, applying the Pedagogy of Pres-
FábiO – We need an agenda that is closer to the one
ence. This is the key role of success, of healthy
we have in Brazil, which has experience in export-
complicity between Leader and Team Member. I
ing services to countries in Latin America and Africa,
like to hear people’s opinions, let myself be influ-
but has not been adequately instigated to think about
enced and take joint decisions. A leader is some-
the situation in Portugal. Investing in Portugal will be
one who convinces and rallies people, and has fol-
a major milestone for both Brazil and Odebrecht. It
lowers because they believe in the direction he is
will benefit everyone: the two countries, our Group,
proposing.
informa
29
Alcinéia: “Hey, isn’t it
called ‘Believe’ for a
reason?”
A DIRECT
WAY OF
LOOKING
I
at life
t was Alcinéia Nunes Silva who handed Brazil-
in the concrete finishing area, along with 20 other team
ian President Dilma Rousseff a bouquet of flow-
members. She is the only woman on the team. With her
ers on March 1 during the official opening of the
calm demeanor and perspicacity, she has captivated her
Steel Structures Fabrication Unit (UFEM), part of
co-workers, asserted herself and earned everyone’s re-
the Submarine Development Program - Shipyard
spect. “At first, nobody believed that I could work as a
and Naval Base (Prosub-EBN) underway in Itaguaí,
30
30
bricklayer. But I kept going,” she says.
Rio de Janeiro. The assistant bricklayer was chosen to
A resident of Itaguaí, Alcinéia, 42, used to work as a
represent the members working on that project at the
bus conductor, and was on disability from the National
ceremony because, like President Rousseff, she sets
Social Security Institute (INSS) due to a stress-related
an example of leadership. Alcinéia joined Odebrecht In-
illness when she heard there were openings in Ode-
fraestrutura (Infrastructure) two years ago: she works
brecht’s Acreditar (Believe) professional education pro-
odebrecht informa
A graduate of the Acreditar Program,
Alcinéia Silva, a member of the Prosub-EBN
Project team, is the protagonist of a story
of self-confidence and achievement
written by Luciana Lana photos by André Valentim
gram. She signed up, was selected, and completed the
She was the one who taught me almost everything I
course. When her family said all her efforts would come
know and helped me become a painter,” he acknowl-
to nothing, she kept quiet and focused on her goal: Hey,
edges gratefully. Luiz reports that, out of prejudice, many
isn’t it called “Believe” for a reason? she wondered in her
men do not want to work as a woman’s assistant. “I took
inner dialogues.
a chance and did great.”
The answer to the disbelievers came in January 2011,
If there ever was any, today that prejudice is a
when she got a job as an apprentice bricklayer. In less
thing of the past. “Everyone likes her,” says Rafael
than six months, Alcinéia was promoted to assistant
Ferreira, also an assistant bricklayer. “She’s easygo-
bricklayer. “She’s great at her job and gets along with
ing, but tough at the same time. She always wants to
everybody,” says the general supervisor, José Benedito
get everything done just right,” adds another team-
Cosmo, who observes: “People don’t do their work right
mate, Aldemir da Silva.
when they have trouble relating with their co-workers.”
Alcinéia smiles discreetly at the high praise she receives, and describes herself as a very observant and
“The truth is the key to harmony”
down-to-earth person. “I like to understand each indi-
Generally considered a quiet person, Alcinéia is also
vidual’s behavior. I keep my mouth shut and take in how
supportive and generous. Painter Luiz Carlos Lima
people act and react. But when something bothers me,
Valério, who worked as her assistant, can attest to that.
I speak out directly, no matter who it is I’m talking to, a
“She really wants to learn and share what she knows.
leader or a team member, it doesn’t matter. The truth
She’s a partner. She shows you the tricks of the trade.
is the key to harmony.”
odebrecht informa
31
LET’S
talk
ABOUT IT
T
32
he secret to good relations is following
When he discusses recruiting, Project Director Mar-
some basic rules. The main one is being
cos Vidigal is emphatic: “For me, having a good resume
able to put yourself in someone else’s
isn’t the only requirement. Before bringing someone onto
shoes. Luiz Antônio dos Santos, better
the team, I make a point of talking to people I know who
known as Luizinho, is the officer Respon-
have worked with that person before.” Vidigal sets the
sible for Community Relations for Linha 4 Sul, the joint
guidelines for his team’s interaction with the project’s
venture building Line 4 of the Rio de Janeiro Metro on the
neighbors: “I’ve always tried to make respect and hon-
stretch between the Ipanema and Gávea districts. One
esty my mottoes in life. Leadership isn’t achieved through
Saturday afternoon, he had a noisy machine shut down
rank. It depends on the example you set. And you also
because it was disturbing a wedding anniversary party
have to know how to listen.”
32
nearby. “You have to feel empathy. I explain to the people
Marcela Villas Bôas, a member of the Communications
that work with me that it isn’t the people who complain
Advisory team, agrees: “He gives direction and is always
who’re the pain in the neck; it’s us,” he says.
open to suggestions.” Listening is another basic rule for a
odebrecht informa
Marcela Villas Bôas,
Luiz Antônio dos
Santos and Paulo
Camizão: respect
and empathy
Open and
productive
dialogue with the
community is a
highlight of the
Rio de Janeiro
Metro Line 4
Project
written by Eduardo Souza Lima
photos by Carlos Júnior
healthy relationship with the neighbors. “Our approach is
10,000 names on the list
this: we are neighbors, we understand the hassle [of the
It is also important to plan ahead. The construc-
construction project] and want you to bring us your com-
tion project began in November last year, but the
plaints so we can minimize its impact,” she adds.
joint venture’s team reached out to residents before
Marcela welcomes suggestions and complaints re-
breaking ground. “We put together a list of 10,000
ceived through the joint venture’s various channels of
names. Those are the people we talk to almost every
communication, ranging from service centers to Twitter.
day,” says Marcela. “They told me: ‘We are here to
Then field agents get to work. “Some things require pres-
try to solve your problems.’ And they’ve always been
ence, personal contact, dialogue. For example, telling a
more than willing to help us out,” confirms Paulo
merchant that we will put up a fence in front of his store,”
Marcelo Camizão, the manager of two apartment
says Luizinho. And it’s also important to be frank: “I tell
buildings on Ataulfo de Paiva Avenue.
them it’s going to be a major headache. That’s how you
establish trust.”
At his suggestion, the joint venture acquired two
shopping carts and two wheelchairs for the tenants’
odebrecht informa
33
34
use. Because one building’s garage was blocked
small talk,” he says, with his usual down-to-earth
off, the company hired a valet parking service and
sense of humor. “You can’t just talk shop all day.”
a private parking facility. Also at the local resi-
Human warmth is key: recently, two women
dents’ request, the company has installed security
walked by an area where cement was being mixed,
cameras and special lighting along the fences near
and their clothes were slightly splattered. They
their buildings.
were asked to step into the jobsite to get a closer
Another means of communication is a bimonthly
look at the work being done there, and Odebrecht
newsletter with a print run of 40,000 copies, and the
paid to have their clothes laundered. When Marcela
PR team distributes pamphlets in the streets when-
found out that one of the women had a birthday
ever roads are closed or traffic is diverted. But, in
coming up, she gave her a bunch of yellow roses.
the end, the “Vidigal style” prevails: “I can sense
“They told me we had made friends with them,”
when a team member needs at least 15 minutes of
says Luizinho.
odebrecht informa
Odebrecht Archives
Metro jobsite in Ipanema:
urban construction
involves its own unique
challenges
energy
THE BEST
written by Bárbara Rezendes photos by Mathias Cramer
Victor Marques (third from left) with Gabriel Senarezi, Giuliana Di Credico, Christianne Cunha, Thiago Menezes, Albert
Santos and Rodrigo Garcia: mutually enriching input
The exchange
of experience
among
professionals
from different
generations is a
hallmark of the
Senandes Corridor
wind complex
project
“
W
e are all in this together, learning to make things
happen in a different way.” This statement by Victor
Marques, who is responsible for deploying Odebrecht
Energia’s first wind power venture, the Senandes
Corridor Complex, reflects the feelings of the entire
team that is working on this pioneering project.
Located in the southern Brazilian city of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul,
35
the complex is innovative in several ways. For example, it involves build-
ing high-tech wind turbines, the first made in Brazil. The complex’s large
installed capacity makes it possible to reduce the number of generating
units and minimize the environmental impact, especially when it comes
to the bird life in the region.
This project marks Odebrecht Energia’s debut in the wind power in-
dustry. For the team building it, mostly young people from Odebrecht
Numbers for the Senandes Corridor Wind Power Complex
BRL
400 million
108 MW
invested
total installed capacity
2014
projected delivery date
4 parks
comprise the complex:
Vento Aragano I and Senandes
Corridor II, III & IV
SP
PR
PARAGUAY
SC
ARGENTINA
Porto
Alegre
RS
Atlantic
Ocean
Rio Grande
URUGUAY
Building the wind
complex in Rio
Grande: pioneering
project
36
odebrecht informa
1,000
work opportunities will be created
directly and indirectly during deployment
48 km
is the length of the transmission line that will
connect the complex’s four parks with the
Companhia Estadual de Energia Elétrica’s (CEEE)
Engineering & Construction, Senandes represents the challenge of
changing their approach from being responsible for a construction
12
2m
project to enabling the venture’s implementation and future operations.
Victor has been with the Group for six years. In addition to being
responsible for implementing Senandes, he leads other alternative
energy projects for the company. He took charge of the wind power
150 m
venture underway in Rio Grande in June 2012, and heads a team of
88,5 m
people with an average age of 27. He says that the challenge of working
in a new business is enhanced by leading such a youthful group. As a
result, the project also involves the challenge of practicing empathy on
a permanent basis, as well as the opportunity for exchanging knowledge, and through that exchange, sharing new knowledge with those
team members. “For us, as veteran Odebrecht members, working with
younger people gives us an energy boost. At the same time, it gives
them more maturity,” says Victor.
Odebrecht seeks to provide opportunities for young people in its
projects and support programs, and Victor underscores that the organization renews itself through these new members. “In this situation, planned delegation and the pedagogy of presence are clearly key,”
says Victor, who understands that his role as an educational leader of
new professionals is a priority. Their learning is enhanced by the small
number of team members, which allows Victor to be more actively
present from day to day. He says that he makes a point of involving
them in various matters, encouraging them to express their opinions
and come up with solutions together.
Synergy between generations
The age difference between Victor and his five direct team members
is as much as 29 years, and it has only brought benefits to their careers
and the outcome of the project. The characteristics of each generation
are complementary. Their dialogue flows easily and the exchange of
ideas becomes a natural process.
Thiago Menezes, one of Victor’s team members, emphasizes that
the synergy in the group boosts their productivity. He notes that unity
also facilitates decision making. “Victor is very accessible. When we
need his advice, we don’t hesitate to ask. He listens to us, supports us,
and is a very good educator. That way, we are more likely to succeed,” he
argues. At those times, the characteristics of each generation become
clearly evident. “They push me to go faster and I try to calm them down
and get them to think about the situation before acting,” says Victor.
Hits and misses are the result of the initiative of trying to do what
is right. When the result turns out to be the wrong one, the learning
experience can be much richer if it is driven by an educational leader.
Albert Santos, the officer Responsible for Planning at the Senandes
Complex, agrees: “Whether it’s in a meeting room or in the hallway,
we’re always exchanging ideas and opinions. Victor says he is a ‘young
veteran’ who is learning along with us, and gives us room to make our
own contributions,” says Albert.
odebrecht informa
37
OUT FROM THE
sinkhole
Brother Henrique:
“Healing comes
from reconciliation
with life”
38
odebrecht informa
38
The personal revolutions that are made possible
by including homeless people in the job market and
opening up opportunities for convicts and ex-cons
written by Carlos Pereira photos by Márcio Lima
I
“‘
lost everything because I am worthless.’ That’s
Brother Henrique Peregrino da Trindade, a Catholic
what they keep saying. For years on end. Turning
monk, learned about the homeless by living in the streets
that around is a long and difficult process, but the
for 13 years. The community he heads in Salvador’s Água
beautiful thing is that it’s possible,” says Brother
de Meninos neighborhood shelters 50 people of all ages
Henrique, the leader of the Trinity Church com-
and social classes who share one thing in common: deep-
munity and one of Odebrecht Infraestrutura’s (Infrastruc-
ly wounded souls. They are accepted there and re-learn
ture) main partners in implementing the program to in-
to live with other people, rebuilding bonds of trust. “But
clude the homeless in the job market.
healing involves a reconciliation with their own lives,” says
Brother Henrique and the Street People’s Movement
the monk.
recommended 88 former homeless people to take train-
He observes that the workers come back to the shel-
ing courses to become carpenters, scaffolders, bricklay-
ter tired but happy. “There is a visible change in their
ers and hairdressers. Twelve got jobs at the Itaipava Fonte
behavior, for example, in relation to dental care. They
Nova Arena and another 20 have found work in other con-
are smiling more. There is a kind of magic attached to
struction projects in the city of Salvador, Bahia. The State
the name of a large company. They take tremendous
Department of Labor, Employment and Income (SETRE)
pride in saying, ‘I work at Odebrecht,’” the monk ob-
is also taking part in this program.
serves.
Edevaldo Santana:
“I stopped drinking.
I couldn’t let that
opportunity pass
me by”
odebrecht informa
39
Edvaldo
Social worker
Carolinna Tosta and
the new arena: the
supervisors have
praised the convicts’
productivity
“It was a sinkhole”
After working as a vendor on the beach in Itapoã, the
neighborhood where he lived with his wife and daughter,
Edevaldo Santana saw his life fall apart, destroyed by alcoholism. “The less I sold, the more I drank, and the more I drank,
the less I sold. It was a sinkhole,” says Edevaldo. A PET bottle
of cachaça, which he nicknamed “firecracker,” was all he had
left when he lost the Styrofoam container he used to sell his
wares. His wife left him, taking their daughter with her, and
he finally lost his house. That phase of his life dragged on for
four years. “I was too embarrassed to be around my friends.
When they saw me, they’d give me advice, and think back on
who I used to be.”
During Easter Week in 2011, Edevaldo met people with
similar backgrounds at Trinity Church, heard their stories and
decided to join the community. Their daily collaborative activities were therapeutic. “I stopped drinking. I couldn’t let that
opportunity pass me by,” he says.
A year later, his determination was rewarded when he got
a job as a dispatcher at the Itaipava Fonte Nova Arena warehouse. He worked there until the arena was built, and as a reward for good service, he has been transferred to the BA-093
highway construction project. Looking back on his life, sitting
in his new apartment, he sees the arena he helped build as
40
odebrecht informa
a separate chapter. “I’ll never forget it. I’m a privileged
knew that this was the opportunity I’d been hoping for,”
man.”
recalls M. Another 20 inmates were also hired.
Wearing his uniform with dignity, the bricklayer’s as-
Fresh Start
sistant says that a real man acknowledges his mistakes
“It was a 157,” says M., lowering his voice and avert-
and accepts the consequences. “I know it’s hard to under-
ing his gaze. That is the code for the robbery homicide he
stand our situation, but prejudice needs to be confronted.
committed, the crime for which he was sentenced to 25
One of my dreams came true when I helped build this sta-
years in prison. It resulted from the bad decision he made
dium. There’s a beautiful part of me right here.”
Social worker Carolinna Tosta keeps track of the
new workers’ individual performance. She explains that
the process of reintegration begins with reintroducing
the beneficiary to society. “The steps include getting ID
cards and work papers, vocational training and personal
growth by working with others and being motivated to
work and get financial advice, because the novelty of a
fixed income and increased opportunities for consumption make it hard for them to get realistic sense of the
value of money,” says Carolinna. She adds that the supervisors have praised the convicts’ productivity. “I saw
the old Fonte Nova implode and rise again as one of the
most modern arenas in the world. That is the aim of the
programs we carry out here: helping these people get
back on their feet and rebuild their lives.”
to rob a bank when he was 18. He had a job, and enjoyed
life like other young people his age, but confessed that he
wanted easy money. Six months later, he was in jail.
“Dodging problems all day long.” That is how he sums
up his prison routine. His high school sweetheart stuck
with him and, two years later, their daughter was born. It
took 13 years to qualify for work-release so he could take
part in the Fresh Start Program, sponsored by the National Justice Council (CNJ), another social responsibility
initiative embraced by Odebrecht Infraestrutura.
The program encourages the formation of partnerships between governments, businesses and NGOs to
empower and give job opportunities to prison inmates and
ex-convicts. “Odebrecht came around and I immediately
odebrecht informa
41
“Mestre
Pará” (right)
with Samuel
Pereira:
solid bonds
maestro
THE FINE ART OF THE
I
42
written by Júlio César Soares photos by Ed Araújo
t was a common scene at the Corinthians Are-
maestros here at the jobsite, and his contribution goes
na: at 7 am, the team gathered in the stands to
beyond engineering,” says Frederico Barbosa, the Oper-
listen to their supervisor, known to one and all
ational Manager for the Arena. In São Paulo, the supervi-
as “Mestre Pará,” who sat in the front rows and
sor would come across old friends and a familiar path.
spoke mainly about safety but also about the im-
Francisco das Chagas Lopes, as he is less well
portance of immigrants to the city of São Paulo or any
known, arrived in São Paulo from Sousa, Paraíba,
other topic that he deemed relevant to his teammates,
in the early 1960s. He worked as a conductor on the
especially the younger ones. In closing, the “Our Fa-
tram that ran between Vila Mariana and Largo 13 de
ther” prayer echoed through the jobsite.
Maio, the same route as the new São Paulo Metro
42
For two years, this was the routine of the Daily Safety
line. Then he went to live with an uncle in São Ber-
Dialogues (DDS) held before each workday. On March 25,
nardo do Campo, where he began his career in the
the leader thanked his fellow workers and announced his
building trade. “My first job was the construction of
next challenge: working on the Line 5 construction proj-
the Volkswagen plant,” he recalls. His experience
ect for the São Paulo Metro, built by Odebrecht, OAS and
came from his family: his father had worked in con-
Queiroz Galvão as a joint venture. “Pará was one of the
struction in his home state of Paraíba.
odebrecht informa
“Mestre Pará” takes
his experience
and passion as an
educator to Line 5 of
the São Paulo Metro
Supervisor
Pará’s Projects
1974
Capivara Dam, Porecatu, PR,
and Taciba, SP
1976
Sibagague Factory, Taboão da Serra, SP
1977
Locomotive Factory, Araraquara, SP
Cosipa Factory, Cubatão, SP)
1978
Itaipu Dam, Foz do Iguaçu (PR/Brazil) and
Hernandarias (Paraguay)
1980
Headrace for Pehuenche Dam, Talca, Chile
1987
Jacuí Thermal Power Plant, Charqueadas, RS
1991
Northern Rio de Janeiro State University
and Integrated Public Education Centers (Cieps), Rio de
Janeiro
1993
Lisbon Metro and Central Span of Ponte Vasco da
Gama Bridge, Portugal
2000
Lilac Line 5 of the São Paulo Metro (João Dias Station
and section 4 Capão Redondo – Largo 13 de Maio)
Lisbon Metro, Portugal
2005
Line 4 – Yellow, of the São Paulo Metro
2010
Aquapolo Project, Mauá, SP
2011
Construction of Corinthians Arena, SP
2013
Line 5 of the São Paulo Metro, Lot 7
While he was working on the Volkswagen plant, he
Pará’s experience on the Portuguese Metro met our
went to college and studied Engineering until the third
requirements for tunnel construction in the São Pau-
year. “That helped me understand what construction
lo stretch,” he notes.
was all about,” he says. His spirit of leadership, however,
came from other teachers.
Respect and professionalism
Samuel Cardoso Pereira, 26, joined the Line 4
project to work as an assistant supervisor and replace Pará during his yearly vacations. “He was
my greatest teacher. He taught me most of what I
José Ricardo Cunha, the Production Manager for
know,” he says. On Line 5, Samuel is working with
Line 5 and his current leader, is an old acquaintance
his mentor once again. “It’s fantastic to work with
of Pará: the two men worked on the construction of
Pará again. He’s a born educator.”
Line 4 of the São Paulo Metro. “We have established
After Line 5 is delivered, “Mestre Pará” plans to
an impressive bond of respect and professionalism,”
retire. “I’ll be 65 by then, and it will be time for me to
he emphasizes. That bond made itself felt later on,
devote more of my time to the family,” he explains.
when José Ricardo was transferred to the construc-
According to Pará, choosing his replacement won’t
tion of Oscar Freire and Paulista stations, on the
be a problem. “He’s right here, and he’s ready,” he
same line. “Besides working on Vila Sônia [station],
says, patting Samuel on the back.
odebrecht informa
43
Folks
written by Eliana Simonetti
Geraldo Pestalozzi
Harmonizing plans
R
icardo Weyll is a lawyer who joined Odebrecht in 2005 in Angola, where he met Raíssa Braga, an electrical
engineer who was working in real estate. Their courtship began in Luanda. In late 2010, Ricardo found out
that he was going to be mobilized to Lima, Peru. The couple quickly found a work opportunity for Raíssa in
that city, and got married in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Since 2011, Ricardo has been Responsible for Legal Affairs at
Odebrecht Energia Peru, and Raíssa has been a member of the commercial team for the Lima Metro project. “The
Group offers us various opportunities that have allowed us to harmonize our life and career plans,” he says.
SOCCER BUFF
In early April, Félix Augusto Martins
had just taken the helm of Odebrecht’s
businesses in the provinces of Benguela,
Kwanza Sul and Namibe in Angola, and
was about to leave for Salvador, Bahia, to
witness the birth of his third child. A soccer buff, he kicked a ball around in his
spare time to ease the stress of so many
before going to see his wife, Mariana, in
the maternity ward, he couldn’t resist...
and practiced juggling a soccer ball. “I
like team sports that combine entertainment, team spirit and exercise,” says
Félix.
44
odebrecht informa
Bruno Ricardo Miguel
life events. When he arrived in Salvador,
A DUTY AND A PLEASURE
During his 30 years at Odebrecht, Danilo Abdanur
has lived in Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, South Africa,
Angola, and the United States. He is currently experiencing his second stint in Venezuela, as the officer Responsible for Production on the Los Teques
Metro Line 2 project. Travel is an occupational duty
and a personal preference. He has lost count of the
places he has visited. Asked to pick one in particular,
he opts for South Africa, where he lived shortly after
the end of apartheid in 1994. “It was a privilege to
be there when that nation was seeking harmony,” he
says. Suggested outings: the sea and the mountains
of Cape Town, and parks that offer photo safaris day
Holanda Cavalcanti
Personal Archive
and night, when the animals go out to hunt.
Above, Danilo with daughters Juliana (left) and Flávia,
and below, with his wife, Maria Tereza
AVID READER
Carlos Brenner, Odebrecht Oil & Gas’s Investment and Strategy Director, is marking his 20th
anniversary with the Group in 2013. He is an eclectic consumer of cultural products, especially music, film, theater and literature. And he is also an
avid reader. The book he recommends: Over the
Personal Archive
Edge of the World, in which Laurence Bergreen
recounts Magellan’s epic circumnavigation of the
globe. “He was an intrepid man, but so out of touch
with what was going on around him that he never
saw the outcome of the feat he made possible,”
says Brenner.
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45
46
HOME IS WHERE
46
the heart is
odebrecht informa
The wives of expat
Odebrecht members join
forces to help the needy in
Buenos Aires, Argentina
written by João Marcondes photos by Almir Bindilatti
From left, seated, Fátima Praxedes, Celina
Raguzzani, Adriana Faria and Maria Maller;
from left, standing, Zabelita Iop, Solange
de Oliveira, Cristina Boglionne (on ladder),
Claudia Assad, Nani Facadio, Ana Paula Sá
and Margot Nascimento: part of the group
of expat wives is organizing a costume party
to help needy communities in Buenos Aires
odebrecht informa
47
A
“
t my school they had an avocado tree
with a huge canopy. One day I sat down
underneath it and cried my eyes out. I
knew that from that moment on, my life
would only move forward. There was no
turning back,” says Zabelita Iop, recalling her adolescence, which she spent at a boarding school run by nuns
in Pato Branco, Paraná, Brazil - far from home, childhood, friends and family.
Zabe, as she is known, was born and raised in a
world that seemed very restricted: a small Italian community in the interior of Santa Catarina, called Faxinal
dos Guedes. Then, at age 7, she read a copy of Peter
Pan that was sent for recycling at a paper mill near her
home. “From then on I started dreaming that I could fly.”
Before long, she took flight.
At age 10, she was living in a neighboring community,
Varjeão, looking after a newborn niece. She was already
far from her parents’ home. Then she went to the boarding school in Pato Branco, graduated from college in
Palmas, the state capital, and worked at bank in Cuiabá.
Around that time, she seized the opportunity to work at
Odebrecht, in the same city. And her life goes on.
She started traveling throughout Brazil as a member of Construtora Norberto Odebrecht, working in
the Administrative area because she had previous experience in banking. Then she got a chance to work in
Angola. That was where she met the love of her life:
Rodney Carvalho, now the Director for Infrastructure
at Odebrecht Argentina.
With Rodney at her side, Zabelita continued traveling, but at one point, she left the company to accompany her husband on his travels and focused
her attention on another passion: doing social work
and helping female expats.
She lived in Peru for 15 years and established a
strong bond with the country and its people. She spent
10 of those years working at Peruvian cuñas (daycare
centers). Zabelita remembers those days well: every
friend who was leaving was gifted with a small table
made by local artisans. “The day I got mine, I couldn’t
believe it. There was no way around it. I had to cry all
over again,” she says, all smiles.
Zabelita, 50, has lived in Argentina for almost two
years now. She has joined forces with 30 other women
who are experiencing the routine of expat and re-expat
wives. One of the major difficulties of this life is to know
48
odebrecht informa
Zabelita (above) and
Celina: a passion for
social work
“The difference between Odebrecht wives and
those of employees from other companies is that
they want to create a link with social work and play
an active role,” says Paula Lemos, the director of
Mensajeros de La Paz, an institution that arrived
in Argentina 10 years ago and assists 1,300 at-risk
children living in several different shelters.
Leaving their jobs in their home countries is one
of the greatest difficulties these expat wives face.
However, using their expertise to give a boost to uplifting causes can be even more rewarding. This is
the case with the Venezuelan sociologist Griselda
Marcano, 49, the wife of Jairo Anzola, the Engineering Manager for the pipeline expansion project underway in Argentina.
“It is important to accompany our husbands and
keep the family together. At the same time, we are
proud to make a contribution in every country we live
in,” says Griselda, who arrived in Argentina two years
ago. She says she is very happy with the warm welcome she received from the Brazilian women. “They
take good care of you. They are very welcoming,” she
says. “One thing that unites us in this endeavor is the
that everything could change (again) at any time. And
similarity of the social problems we find throughout
even so, they can’t think about that all the time.
Latin America,” she observes.
Independence is key. When she arrived in Mexico,
For architect Adriana Faria, 54, a native of Rio and
her first experience of living and working outside Brazil,
the wife of Odebrecht Argentina’s Managing Direc-
Celina Raguzzani’s husband, Elias Raguzzani, now the
tor Flávio Faria, one of the biggest challenges is the
Production and Equipment Manager in Argentina, gave
“empty nest syndrome,” because once their children
her the key to an automatic car (a kind that she had nev-
are grown, they usually choose a country to settle
er driven) and said: “Here. I won’t teach you to walk in
down in, and their parents keep moving.
Mexico. Get going.” She did, of course. And she has done
“I raised my children in several countries. The
the same in several other countries, such as Angola and
cultural differences always keep us on our toes. In
Peru, with three children by her side. “There is a feeling
Portugal, for example, a school still used corporal
of loss, because I no longer practice my profession, but
punishment,” recalls Adriana. A different school, a
that has been replaced by social work”, says Celina, 57,
new experience. “It’s all very rewarding. We awaken
who used to teach in Brazil, 32 years ago.
to a new world every day. You adapt to each culture.
Needy communities of Buenos Aires
You replace cheese buns with empanadas, and so
on,” she argues, while hanging decorations in the
Celina, Zabe and other Odebrecht members’ wives
events room of her friend Zabe’s apartment build-
got together last year to help the Spanish NGO Mensa-
ing, in the Puerto Madero district. Later that eve-
jeros de La Paz (Messengers of Peace) to increase its
ning, they will hold a costume party where Brazilian
work with the needy communities of Buenos Aires. Last
delicacies will be served alongside Argentine, Mexi-
year they organized a party to raise funds that would be
can and Venezuelan treats. They represent differ-
used to purchase 25 beds for an institution for under-
ent nationalities harmoniously coming together in
privileged youth. In 2013, they held a costume ball. The
pursuit of a common goal: leaving a social legacy
money raised will also be invested in a homeless shelter.
behind in that country.
odebrecht informa
49
people
Focusing on
A
6-year-old girl is getting ready for the first
come in to shop. She is especially fond of two places: the
big adventure of her life: traveling without
delivery area, where she learns to wrap her first pack-
her parents. Verónica was born in Bue-
ages with colorful ribbons, and the cash register, which
nos Aires, but she and her Aunt Perla are
rings non-stop.
heading for a small town 1,200 km from
“To this day, I love wrapping packages,” says Veróni-
the capital of Argentina, and close to Patagonia: General
ca Spirito, 34, the Odebrecht officer Responsible for
Roca, in Rio Negro Province.
People in Argentina. At her aunt and uncle’s shop, she
It is a pleasant town, with lots of green, where farmers
learned her first lessons about numbers and relation-
grow apples and grapes. There is a large department store
ships with people. Something she would carry with her
on the main street, called Kaspin, where families buy every-
all her life.
thing from fabric for dance clothes to the latest gadgets, like
coffee makers and vacuum cleaners, in short, everything
50
50
Dealing with the unpredictable
they need for their homes. Ah, yes: we’re back in the 1980s.
After earning a degree in Accounting and Business
The store belongs to her aunt and uncle, and Verónica
and acquiring experience in Human Resources and pay-
spends her days there. She watches all the people who
rolls, she took a major leap in her career six years ago,
odebrecht informa
when she joined Odebrecht, coming from a consult-
Verónica (foreground)
with Hernán Lopez
Sosa, Aldana
Hereñú and Maria
Luz Zazzarini: the
sensitivity to identify
and encourage future
leaders
ing firm. Suddenly, numbers on paper became people
with life stories. And, of course, challenges. “At that
moment, I saw that I needed to deal with the unpredictable.” Since 2007, when she joined the company,
the number of contractors working directly with Odebrecht in that country has jumped from 112 to 2,039.
This means that Verónica has participated actively and
directly in a crucial step for the growth of Odebrecht in
Argentina. And she is continuing to do so.
At first, it was just a matter of recruiting people for the
expansion of nearly 2,000 km of pipelines in the country. After that, she played a key role in the implementation of the Odebrecht Culture, which included deploying
programs such as Young Partner, DAAR+ (for healthy living), Young Technician, Alternate Internship, support for
expats and their families, and performance evaluation,
among several others. One such initiative has special sig-
Verónica
Spirito and the
challenge of
helping people
come together
and grow
nificance for Verónica: L.E.A.D.E.R.S. “This educational
program helps people identify their potential replacements,” she explains. “Being a leader entails responsibilities. Not everyone wants to be a leader, and that’s fine,”
says Verónica, who leads 17 team members.
Hernán Lopez Sosa is one of Verónica’s former team
members. She encouraged him to organize the Odebrecht Sustainable Development Award in Argentina in
just three months. “If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have
succeeded. She taught me to handle pressure,” says
written by João Marcondes
photo by Diego Blasco
Hernán, who is now the officer Responsible for Communication and Image. “To choose the best people, we
must be good people ourselves,” says Hernán, referring
to Verónica.
Numbers for Odebrecht Argentina - People
10,060
YP hired per year
9
2009
19
2010
35
2011
2012
39
6,053
3,526
Total Workforce
2,586
1,139
1,300
Year
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Sub-contractors
Odebrecht
2.474
112
947
192
1,071
229
2,912
614
4,479
1,574
8,021
2,039
odebrecht
odebrecht informa
informa
51
cause
WORKING FOR A GREAT
In Angola, company
members are
acquiring skills,
growing and using
their know-how
to develop their
country
written by Fabiana Cabral photos by Holanda Cavalcanti
52
odebrecht informa
52
Helton Larry de
Boa Esperança and
his father, Alvaro:
understanding that
education is the
greatest treasure
odebrecht informa
53
A
ngolans Abílio Ramos, Edivaldo Lopes
and Helton Larry Soares de Boa Esperança had never worked on a major
engineering and construction project
before joining Odebrecht. Today, they
know the importance of the role each of them plays
in the development of their country, without forgetting
their roots and how they got their start: their families.
Helton, 26, has always lived in Luanda, and witnessed the beginning of change in his country after the
end of the armed conflict. Observant and realistic, he
knew there was much to be done. “Fortunately, in my
household, I was always encouraged to study,” says
Helton, the eldest of five children. His father works in
Customs at Luanda airport, and his mother is a housewife. “My father always said that my greatest treasures
would be education and training,” says the civil engineer, who graduated from the Independent University
of Luanda.
Helton first heard about Odebrecht when he was in
high school, and ever since, he nurtured the desire to
work at the organization: “One of my teachers was an
Odebrecht member, so I knew about the construction
of Capanda, and that the company was our partner.”
When he went to college, he sought professional experience and started doing projects on Autocad (software
used to produce technical drawings) for several companies. In his senior year, in 2010, he started an internship
with a Portuguese company.
After he graduated in 2011, he signed up for Odebrecht’s Young Partner Program and, after testing,
team building exercises and interviews, he finally joined
the Group in early 2012. “I always wanted to leave the
office and go into the field because I wanted to work
in the production area,” he says. So Helton left Luanda
for the first time to work on the Capanda-Dondo Project (a highway linking the provinces of Malanje and
Kwanza Norte). In his first direct contact with engineer-
ter 10 months on a project that involved building 40 km
ing and construction, his Action Program (PA) focused
of roads, he took on another PA for the highway linking
on earthmoving and civil construction. He discovered a
Benguela and Baía Farta, his mother’s hometown. Af-
“new world”: “I plunged in head first, and learned the
ter Benguela, he went to Kwanza Sul Province.
meaning of responsibility, commitment and humility.”
54
Helton arrived in the provincial capital, Sumbe, in
Helton says that his leaders have taught him how to
February of this year to work on an infrastructure proj-
be the “owner of his own business,” regardless of his
ect. “I came here equipped with the experience I gained
PA. “I’ve learned to get things done, and done well, and
in Capanda, and I can share it with other members, along
I’ve realized that I can overcome my biggest challeng-
with my learnings about the Odebrecht Entrepreneurial
es,” adds the soft-spoken but assertive young man. Af-
Technology [TEO],” he says. He likes to write about his
odebrecht informa
Edivaldo with
cousin Jairo
and siblings
Anderson
and Josefa:
“I’m very
demanding”
life, and has already set new goals for his career. “By the
school, studying to become a technician in Construc-
end of 2013, I want to become an RP [officer responsible
tion, he started working at a diamond cutting factory to
for a program] for Production and in two years, a produc-
pay his tuition. In 2006, he got into the Independent Uni-
tion manager. I want to create the conditions for owning
versity of Luanda to study Management and Marketing,
my own home and raising my own family,” says Helton,
but he soon realized that “his thing was doing math.”
who will become a father for the first time in November.
Learning TEO at home
The Civil Engineering course was easier for him. Edivaldo juggled work and study until he graduated. “No
job was beneath me. No matter how little I made, my
Edivaldo Lopes, 27, was also born, raised and edu-
mission was to finish college. I used whatever I earned
cated in the Angolan capital. When he was in high
to pay my tuition,” he explains. In the last year, however,
odebrecht informa
55
Abílio Ramos:
experience of
construction and
reconstruction
he decided to look for a different kind of opportunity
what I am because of all the people who have worked
in the job market. His goal was to work for a con-
with me and guided my development. After just two
struction company.
A friend and Odebrecht member, Jacob, enrolled
him in the Young Partner Program, and, in March 2011,
His new routine at Odebrecht is having an impact
he passed the course and was invited to join the Monte
on his relationship with his younger siblings. “I’m very
Belo project. “On my first day of work, I went straight
demanding, and I believe we have to experience our re-
into the field,” he says. After six months, he joined the
ality. I show my siblings that the most important thing
team working on the Population Resettlement Pro-
is education,” he says with a smile. Edvaldo has made
gram (PRP) - a Government initiative for the construc-
TEO a part of the Lopes family’s routine. “I’ve taught
tion of affordable housing in the Zango neighborhood
them the concepts of Education through Work and Ed-
in Viana, in the Luanda metropolitan area. He worked
ucation for Work, because household and professional
in earthmoving, paving and drainage, and now he is a
activities must all be done well.”
Young Partner in the Production area.
56
years with the organization, I feel that I am more experienced and mature,” he observes.
When the Odebrecht Informa team sat down with
Edivaldo is responsible for the second-largest team
Edivaldo for a chat at the PRP, his two younger siblings,
working on the project, leading 176 members. “I am
Josefa and Anderson, and cousin Jairo, were invited to
odebrecht informa
the Capanda Project. Over the course of a decade, he
worked in several areas: Carpentry, Steelfixing and
Precast Pieces; he has been the general supervisor
for the power house construction project, as well as
working on the Malanje and Cacuso substations and
the construction of the NossoSuper supermarket in
the vicinity of the Capanda project.
With a shy gaze and soft voice, Abílio explains that
he had never set foot on a construction site before. According to him, working in several different areas was
beneficial to his career at Odebrecht. “When I joined
the organization, we had never heard of construction
or reconstruction. Now they are the main businesses
in this country.”
After Capanda, Abílio joined the team building
the Gove Dam. Four years later, he was the general supervisor for civil construction works. He
has also participated in the construction of Gove
Airport and other major projects. Unlike his experience in Capanda, while he was working in Gove
he was never far from his wife and children: “I took
my family to the city of Huambo, which was a better
place to live.”
The Laúca Dam construction project is Abílio’s new
“home,” and his family lives nearby. “I see Laúca as a
major new challenge. I want to deliver Angola’s largest dam on time, with the highest quality,” he says.
The paths ahead
Helton Larry Soares de Boa Esperança glances
upward when he thinks back on his experience with
join them. “He is a role model for me. I’ve started study-
the organization, which began a little over a year
ing Environmental Engineering in college with his sup-
ago. “I’ve come across Brazilians, Angolans, Peru-
port,” says his sister Josefa, who is a bit shy. Anderson
vians, Dominicans, Ecuadorians, different ‘worlds’
wants to be a petroleum engineer and talks about his
and cultures, and developed relationships of re-
brother’s virtues: “He’s funny. The first thing he does
spect and trust. I believe I can make an even greater
when he gets home from work is take a look at my
contribution to my country’s development. We have
books and homework.” Jairo likes Edvaldo’s advice. “I
a lot to do here,” he adds.
look to him for ways to achieve my goals,” he says, his
eyes shining with admiration.
When asked about his future, Abílio Ramos speaks
of the past as the basis for the paths ahead: “I’ve had
up to 300 team members, including Brazilians and
Never far from the family
Angolans, and, like I always do, I harness those mem-
Abílio Ramos, 39, was born in Malanje and moved
bers’ experience and knowledge to encourage them
to Luanda at age 14 to study to become a surveyor.
and groom them to become our future leaders.”
At 19, he joined the Army, and six years later he re-
Edivaldo Lopes wants to stay with the Group for
turned to his hometown to give drawing lessons. His
many years. As he puts it: “People are insatiable be-
career at Odebrecht began in 1998 as a technician on
ings. We always want more. For that very reason, I
personally welcome a challenge.”
odebrecht informa
57
In this photo, João Thiago dos
Santos (left) and Tiago Pires; on the
next page, the FPSO and Alexandre
Padula: friendship and camaraderie
were key to the success of a
complex and challenging project
unity
team
The construction
of the Cidade
de Itajaí FPSO
is an inspiring
case that
reaffirms the
power of team
spirit
B
efore she left Singapore for Brazil, the Cidade
de Itajaí FPSO had plenty of unforgettable stories in her wake. However, a setback would temporarily hinder the plans of OOGTK FPSO, the
joint venture formed by Odebrecht Oil & Gas and
Norway’s Teekay Petrojarl, one of the largest FPSO operators in the world.
58
A fire broke out in the FPSO’s engine room when it was con-
ducting sea trials at the Jurong shipyard, which the joint venture
had subcontracted to convert the ship into a Floating, Produc-
tion, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit. The incident happened
just seven months before the unit extracted its first barrel of oil
written by Boécio Vidal Lannes
photos by Diogo Pereira
58
odebrecht informa
from the Baúna field in block BMS-40, in the post-salt area of the
southern sector of the Santos Basin on February 16, 2013.
“The fire opened a door, and we turned a crisis
into an opportunity,” says Rodrigo Lemos, from
Odebrecht Oil & Gas. The Director for Floating
Production Unit Contracts and Offshore Logistics in Brazil, he vividly recalls the date: August
30, 2012, a Thursday.
According to Rodrigo, a united and motivated
team set out that day, ready to take on the challenge
of delivering the platform to Petrobras, the client, in
the shortest possible time. In just over two months,
the FPSO, with capacity to process 80,000 barrels/
day of light oil, was ready to set off for Brazil.
On the morning of December 29, 2012, the
vessel arrived at her final location to form part
of the Baúna field’s production system in the
Santos Basin. Rodrigo Lemos points out that if
it hadn’t been for the Odebrecht culture, whose
basic tenets include decentralization, he would
Production Leader Alexandre Padula, 32, remem-
not have been able to make the rapid decisions
bers feeling devastated when he saw that part of the
the incident demanded.
conversion project had been damaged by the fire. “At
Normando Tamoyo de Medeiros, the Project
a time like that, organization and dedication helped
Manager for the Cidade de Itajaí FPSO, under-
us rebuild the ship,” he adds. According to the Op-
scores the fact that the dedication, unity, perse-
erations engineer João Thiago dos Santos, 28, the
verance and resilience of the entire team made
success of the operation was down to planning. “We
all the difference. “We were a family in Singa-
charted the entire project and came up with a de-
pore. Spending so much time together away far
tailed plan that covered all the disciplines involved,”
from home had brought us together and was a
he explains.
key factor that motivated us to deliver in the ves-
During the 28-day voyage from Singapore to Bra-
sel in record time, within the high quality stan-
zil aboard the City of Itajaí, João Thiago faced another
dards required by Petrobras. When the pressure
challenge: keeping track of the commissioning of spe-
was greatest, dedication spoke louder. Not only
cific systems during the start-up of the process plant
from the team in Singapore, but the entire man-
while producing an instruction manual on the main
agement, legal and corporate team that support-
clauses of the contract for key crew members.
ed us back in Brazil,” he adds.
Friendship and camaraderie
Motivation, perseverance and gratitude permeate
the memories of three other members who were also
in Singapore during the incident. Today, two of them
work on an offshore rig installed at a water depth of
275 m, 210 km from the coast of Santa Catarina in
southern Brazil.
“It took nearly 10 months, 90 days in Singapore with a
seven-day stopover in Brazil,” says Tiago Mendes Pires.
At 27, the Electrical Technician was homesick and missed
his two daughters. “But friendship and camaraderie
helped me overcome that,” he says.
odebrecht informa
59
learning
together
For Erlon Arfelli and his
family, shared experiences
in new settings have
brought unity
written by Zaccaria Junior
photo by Geraldo Pestalozzi
60
“
T
wo weddings at the same time,” jokes
for us to carry out one project after another within a
Erlon Arfelli, Director of Odebrecht
growth, career and development plan that the company
Energia (Energy) in Peru, referring to
provided. And we got used to the organization’s dynamic,
his 30 years with Odebrecht and his
where there was always something new, always a chal-
30-year marriage to his wife, Soraya.
lenge and a new environment,” says Erlon.
“I joined Odebrecht on January 3, 1983, and got mar-
He recounts that their first opportunity to live out-
ried on January 8 of the same year, five days later,” he
side Brazil arose in 1996, when he was invited to work
says, under the attentive gaze of his wife and Eduardo,
in Monterrey, Mexico. His mission was to help conduct
their elder son (Lucas, their younger son didn’t take
feasibility studies for the implementation of hydroelec-
part in this conversation with the Odebrecht Informa
tric plants and take part in the construction of a num-
team because he lives in the United States). The chat
ber of transmission lines and substations, as well as
in the Arfelli family’s apartment in Lima took place on
the retrofitting of the power system in northern Mexico.
a sunny morning in April, unusual weather for this
time of year in the Peruvian capital.
60
Adaptability
Erlon recalls times that have been especially signifi-
“I remember that when I was 9 years old, my father
cant for his family; moments that have been key to build-
said: ‘We’re moving to Mexico.’ And that was when I
ing their lives and strengthening the bonds between
started developing my adaptability,” says Eduardo. “But
them. “The fact that I joined Odebrecht made it possible
if you ask me if it’s a hardship, I’ll tell you that I don’t
odebrecht informa
Erlon with his
wife, Soraya, and
Eduardo, their
elder son: “positive
outlook”
know if it was more of a hardship or an opportunity, be-
feared that she would never live near her sons again.
cause the fact that I’ve had to adapt to so many differ-
“When the two boys were living in the States, I thought:
ent cultures, so many places and so many people has
‘Right... Now I just have to wait till I’m a mother-in-
made me the person I am today,” he adds. Now he is an
law, a grandmother. I thought my kids would only
engineer fresh out of college. He got his degree in the
come back to visit when they were married.”
United States, and is about to mark his first year with
Erlon emphasizes that his family’s experience has
the organization. He is currently working on the Port of
been different from the traditional Brazilian way of
Callao project in Lima.
life in which people are born, go to school with the
Although her younger son lives in the United States,
same people as children, attend a nearby university,
Soraya thinks it was almost a miracle that Eduardo re-
always have a close circle of people around them,
turned to Lima. “I cried when he told me he was going
including cousins, uncles, aunts and other relatives,
to study in the United States, and cried again when
and get together for Sunday lunches at their in-laws’
I heard that he would be coming to work in the city
house. “While continually learning how to relate to
where we were living. It was something that seemed
a new environment and making the most of enrich-
virtually impossible. For years it was just me and the
ing life experiences, we always maintain a positive
boys, because Erlon traveled a lot. But when we left
outlook focused on the best each place has to offer,
Brazil, family unity was important, and that was the
wherever we live.” Soraya adds: “When we left Brazil,
main pillar of our work to raise our boys and guide
I was told that it would be for two years, and those
them in life,” says Soraya, who admits that she had
two years have turned into so many more...”
odebrecht informa
61
Ricardo, Viviane,
Henrique and Eduardo
in Venezuela; Fernando,
Marta, Natalia
and Raquel in the
Netherlands: living a
special time
Viviane, Ricardo, Eduardo and
Henrique: the Padilhas are
optimistic and cheerful about
the experience of living abroad
62
odebrecht informa
62
families
without borders
M
written by Mayara Thomazini
exico, Angola, Peru, Mozambique, Libya, the United States and Ecuador are
just some of the countries that Ricardo Padilha, a member of Odebrecht Engenharia Industrial, has had the opportunity to call home in the course of his
career. He and his wife are from the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do
Sul, and their children were born in São Paulo. He didn’t think twice before
accepting the challenges of an Action Program (PA) in Venezuela, where he and his family have
lived for the last three years. He is currently the officer Responsible for Information Technol-
ogy on the CADCAs (Sugarcane Byproducts Agroindustrial Complex) Project, which includes the
deployment of four ethanol plants in the states of Barinas, Cojedes, Portuguesa and Trujillo to
boost Venezuela’s bioenergy sector.
The Padilha family’s first move took place in 2001, when Ricardo and his wife, Viviane, left
Porto Alegre for São Paulo. During the nine years they lived in the state capital, their family grew:
their two sons, Henrique, 7, and Eduardo, 4, were born there.
Ricardo believes that the time he spent in São Paulo made him more adaptable when it comes
to new places and lifestyles. “Except for the differences of distance and language, it isn’t much
easier to go from Porto Alegre to São Paulo than it is to move to Venezuela,” he observes.
Whatever the destination for people who are willing to leave their native land, almost everything changes: language, customs, home, routines, friendships, studies, cultural life and leisure.
“International experience is a tremendous plus, both professionally and personally. Living in
another country allows us to experience new cultures and habits, and inevitably makes us homesick for the family we left behind in Brazil,” muses Ricardo.
Speaking of family, Denise Marques, a member of the Braskem Institutional Relations team
in Rio Grande do Sul, is Ricardo’s sister-in-law. She says that even though they are far apart, the
two families use their creativity to stay in close touch. “We were sorry to be so far away from each
other, but we are very happy for them, and their kids are going to a
good school. Also, my sister posts photos and videos, so we
can manage our homesickness that way,” says Denise.
This is not the only challenge: there was also a
schedules, classmates who spoke Spanish or English... “The kids got sick all the time, and I didn’t
speak Spanish, but we gradually adapted and made
new friends,” recalls Viviane. “The good thing about
Mathias Cramer
new school with a different educational system and
Viviane’s
sister Denise
Marques, with
her husband,
André, and
their daughter,
Isabela:
homesick but
coping
Andrés Manner
the American School is that most people there are
expats. So it’s easier to make friends because everyone is open to it,” she adds.
When asked about the biggest learning experience of
living and working outside his home country, Ricardo stress-
odebrecht informa
63
Personal Archives
Fernando, his wife,
Marta, and their
daughters Raquel
and Natalia: adapting
to a new lifestyle
es the aspect of respecting differences. “Although
leaving her job. “She is passionate about health
we are all Latinos and there are similarities, there
care, especially intensive care, but now she’s
are also major cultural differences that we have
had to shift her focus. She devotes herself to
learned to respect. But the biggest benefit is my
our family and to improving her foreign lan-
kids’ facility with languages. They already speak
guage skills,” says Fernando.
Spanish and English, as well as Portuguese.”
Fortunately, the flexibility to adapt to different
situations, willingness to learn and openness to
A company without borders
socialize are some of the virtues that are not lack-
Internationalization is part of Braskem’s growth
ing in Fernando and Marta’s daughters, Natalia,
strategy, and thanks to its overseas acquisitions, a
18, and Rachel, 14. They have adapted quickly and
growing number of company members are taking
are actively involved in school activities.
on fresh challenges outside Brazil. One of them is
“The family is an important factor for success
Fernando Weber, the officer Responsible for the
and because of that, they need to be happy and
Rotterdam office and the Braskem Basic Petro-
motivated. Being far away from relatives and
chemicals Unit’s European business operations.
friends, and coping with the cold winter weath-
Fernando and his family have lived in the Nether-
er are the main challenges of living here,” says
lands since July 2010.
Fernando, who is convinced that he, Marta, and
For his wife, Marta, who has a nursing degree, the hardest thing about moving there was
64
odebrecht informa
their daughters are living a unique and invaluable experience.
IDEAS
written by Emanuella Sombra
Silent solution
T
hat noisy upstairs neighbor is
a major headache. And it generally results from the lack of
soundproofing between floors. In part-
ADVANTAGES OF
POLYETHYLENE
INSULATION
nership with Multinova, Braskem is
1
Furnished in rolls;
by the Technological
Research Institute
(IPT)
bringing a solution to market: expand-
2
ed polyethylene insulation, a product
made with Italian technology that is
more cost effective than its main com-
5 or 10 mm thick,
inserted between
screed. Adhesive tape
is used to hold it in
place in the initial
stages
petitors.
Light, sturdy and pliable, the insulation is manufactured by Multinova from
Braskem polyethylene resin and must
3
be installed during construction.
Safer to handle
the product does not
release sharp
microfragments
“Depending on the thickness,
it complies with the intermediate and upper levels of
the NBR15575 ABNT (Bra-
4
After a layer
of cement has
been applied, the
zilian Association of Technical Standards) standard that
sets requirements for acoustic
performance in buildings and
5
will come into effect in July,”
explains Jorge Alexandre, the
Once leveled, any
be applied. The
insulation also extends
to skirting
Braskem officer responsible for
Polyetheylene Market Development.
NOTHING IS WASTED
An EVA is born
By using waste concrete as paving materials,
Developed by Braskem, a new EVA resin (a copolymer of
the team responsible for building the Itaipava Fonte
ethylene and vinyl acetate) is eliminating the need for curing
Nova Arena has conclusively demonstrated that it is
with ultraviolet light in footwear manufacturing. Unparalleled
possible to be sustainable while slashing costs by
in the world market, it reduces the cost of gluing soles and
about 50%. Previously, the roadways in the arena
midsoles by 26% and reduces risks to workers’ health be-
construction site were coated with gravel, which
cause it eliminates ozone emissions during that stage of the
had to be replaced periodically. Devised by Frederico
process. The new EVA resin is used to make major brands of
Gonçalves, Renata Ribeiro and Marcos Etelvino, this
footwear, such as Penalty and Dass. It carries the Braskem
solution is the result of knowledge shared within the
Maxio seal, which identifies resins with outstanding perfor-
Odebrecht Group: it was one of six winners of the or-
mance, certifying that they are both more sustainable and
ganization’s in-house Highlight Awards in 2012.
cost-effective.
odebrecht informa
65
66
Gregory Mears:
a three-month
contract turned
into a 19-year
relationship
belonging and
staying
Gregory, Mark and James: an environment that
values people and enables them to build long
careers with the company
written by Thaís Reiss photos by Henrique Valle
66
odebrecht informa
T
he baby boomer generation, composed of Americans born between 1946 and 1964, changed
jobs 10.5 times, on average, between the ages
of 18 and 40. A survey conducted by the US Department of Labor also shows that in 2006, 40%
of professionals in that country participated in the job market
turnover.
In this volatile environment, Odebrecht United States, which
established a presence there in the early 90s, now has over 100
members who have worked at the company for more than five
years. They include 30 who have passed the 15-year mark at
Odebrecht.
“I started working with Odebrecht on the company’s first
project in this country, the Brickell Metromover Extension
[Miami’s people mover], through a small subcontractor,” re-
calls Gregory Mears, who was born in Miami and is currently
the general supervisor for expansion projects at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport. “I stayed with that company for 13 years, but during the construction of the Golden
Glades Interchange, also in Miami, it had financial trouble.
Odebrecht agreed to hire my entire team for three months to
finish the job. And despite being paid by the hour during that
short period, the scope of my responsibilities increased, and
I began to participate in bids and the execution of other projects. That’s how my three-month contract turned into a 19year relationship.”
Mark Poropat, the general supervisor for the Grand Parkway
project (building 61 km of roads on the outskirts of Houston, Texas),
has been with the company for 16 years. Born in Chicago, where
he worked as a police officer, Mark moved to Miami in 1981. He
on
started working in the construction industry under the tutelage of
his chief mentor - his father, John Poropat, who also worked in
that business.
“I had the good luck to work on the most complex projects we
have built so far. The challenges and opportunities are unique. For
example, when I was working on the South Terminal at Miami International Airport, I thought nothing in my life could ever match that
opportunity. But now that I’m here at the Grand Parkway, and I have
the same feeling.”
James Storey, the Contract Management Director for the Grand
Parkway project, agrees. “My career has been built from project to
project, and each one was bigger and more complex than the last. And
this is true even today. The Grand Parkway is currently one of the biggest projects in Texas, and that gives you a great feeling of challenge
and motivation.”
Jim, as he is known, was born in Panama City, Florida, but
spent many years in the state of Georgia, where he worked for a
odebrecht informa
67
James Storey
(left) and
Mark Poropat:
a collegial
and friendly
environment
mid-size construction firm. In 1992, he moved to Miami at
a point of knowing who we are as individuals,” observes Jim.
the invitation of his father, James Storey, Sr., who is also
Mark adds: “When I was diagnosed with cancer, we sat down
in construction. Together, they helped rebuild the city af-
to talk, and I knew he would be tough on me, because he’s
ter Hurricane Andrew. He soon joined Odebrecht as an
always encouraged me to look after my health. He didn’t do
engineer to work on the Cargo Building 2205 project at
it because of the company, but for my family. And that means
Miami International Airport. He has been with Odebrecht
a lot to me.”
for 18 years.
Greg proudly recalls the leaders who helped him develop his first Action Programs (PA), and how that expe-
68
Friendships
rience helps him give the same sort of support to his own
Greg, Mark and Jim attribute their long careers at Ode-
team members today. Jim says that relationships based
brecht to a common factor: people. Particularly the friend-
on trust provide the stability that company members’
ships that go beyond professional relationships between
families need to embrace the opportunities that arise.
leaders and team members. “People like Gilberto Neves are
And Mark is thrilled about his greatest legacy to the
what sets us apart,” says Greg, referring to the CEO of Ode-
Group. “Today, I am proud to see my son working at Ode-
brecht United States. “He knows my wife and kids, and makes
brecht.”
odebrecht informa
saVVY
“You’ve got to love
your job to succeed”
Wilmer Castro is interviewed in the next video
in the “Savvy” series, posted in the digital edition of
Odebrecht Informa (www.odebrechtonline.com.br)
written by Alice Galeffi photo by Ricardo Artner
“I
come from a place that’s
poor, but rich in love,” says
Wilmer Castro, the officer
Responsible for Production on
the El Río-Jarabacoa highway
and Miches projects in the Do-
minican Republic. He soon discovered the importance of education and, unlike his parents,
both peasants, he managed to
go to college. He majored in Civil
Engineering. “One of my goals
was to make a career at Odebrecht,” he says.
Wilmer joined the organization as a production assistant, even though he had an
engineering degree. After six
months of hard work, he got a
job as an engineer. According
to him, the secret to his success was humility. “The present
helping out a construction as-
During his 20 years with the
doesn’t matter; the present is
sistant, a truck driver thought
organization, Wilmer has learned
already happening. I’m focused
that he was the assistant and
that the most important thing on a
on the future,” he says.
gruffly told him to step aside.
project is the community around it.
Known for always helping his
When the driver found out that
He is convinced that he can achieve
team members with any task at
he was talking to the Project Di-
success as an expat, and that, with
hand, valuing them, teaching
rector, he apologized and said:
the right guidance, his team mem-
them and, above all, believing
“I couldn’t believe that you were
bers can become his greatest al-
in them, Wilmer experienced
the engineer, because I always
lies. Wilmer shares a lesson that
a highly symbolic situation on
see you doing manual labor and
his father taught him: “You’ve got to
his first project. When he was
helping out the assistants.”
love your job to succeed.”
odebrecht informa
69
70
Input
from leaders
70
odebrecht informa
written by Thereza Martins
photo by Ricardo Teles
C
arla Barretto and Geraldo Villin are longtime friends, and
now, for the first time, they are not only coworkers but Managing Directors (DSs) of the same company. In 2012, they
were invited to join the team that would create and lead the
operations of Odebrecht Properties (OP), which focuses on
identifying and designing projects, raising capital, investing and managing
real estate assets.
A 32-year member of Odebrecht, Villin is an engineer by training. He
Villin and
Carla:
putting their
experience
at the service
of a new
strategic
initiative
worked in construction until the mid-1980s, when a change in area ended up
changing the direction of his career, shifting the focus to planning, business
development, entrepreneurship and management. “I joined the organization as an intern from the former Companhia Brasileira de Projetos e Obras
(CBPO), just when the company was acquired by Odebrecht,” says Villin. “I
had the privilege of participating in the organization’s growth, working with
outstanding leaders and interacting with knowledgeable people who taught
me a lot.”
Carla’s career followed a different path. She holds a Business degree
and has been with the Group for 16 years. Previously, she had worked
exclusively in Entrepreneurship Support (Finance, Comptrollership, Planning, and People & Organization) programs at Construtora Norberto Odebrecht, Braskem and Odebrecht S.A. Now, for the first time, she is taking
on the challenge of being a leader in the Entrepreneurship Line. In fact,
Carla is a pioneer: the first woman to become a DS at Odebrecht. “Our
challenge is to establish OP’s identity and launch a new business in the
Group,” she says.
Coming from different backgrounds, Villin and Carla are now working in
the same environment with the mission of forming a new team. “Those two
perspectives, which include working on the Line and in Support, complement
each other and enrich our dialogue with the team we are forming, including
people with different profiles and career paths,” says Villin.
Strengthening relationships
Carla had a unique opportunity to participate actively in the work group
that helped the President and CEO of Odebrecht S.A. consolidate the Group’s
Vision for 2020 over the course of 2009. “By charting the strategic direction of
the Vision for 2020, we realized that the diversity in an organization with over
120,000 members [at the time] was a major challenge,” she says. According
Two old friends
take on a
new mission:
helping form
the Odebrecht
Properties team
and integrate it
into the Group
to Carla, the biggest challenge is to ensure the Group’s growth through the
continuous development of people, which is always based on the principles of
the Odebrecht Entrepreneurial Technology (TEO). “The organization strengthens and renews itself through diversity and the possibility of working synergistically,” adds Carla.
The same premise applies to the world of OP, where the newly formed
team includes professionals with experience in the organization and others
who came from outside; some are young, others, more mature, but they are
all responsible for making the company happen – a company that was born
to conquer its market space.
odebrecht informa
71
the
voice
OF THOUSANDS
written by Luiza Vilela photo by Steve Hill
T
housands of Brazilian workers in the engineering and construction industry were
present, albeit indirectly, at the Marriott
Marquis Hotel in New York on April 18,
during an award ceremony sponsored
by Engineering News-Record (ENR). They were repre-
sented by Antônio Aparecido Cardilli, from Odebrecht.
On that occasion, the magazine hailed Cardilli for his
work on the Acreditar (Believe) Ongoing Professional
Education Program, created while he was the Administrative and Financial Manager for the consortium that
runs the Santo Antônio hydroelectric plant construction
project in the Brazilian state of Rondônia.
ENR is one of the oldest and most respected publications in the industry worldwide. Since 1964, it has
awarded 25 individuals who, from the viewpoint of the
magazine’s editors, best served the interests of the industry and the public. The winners, called Newsmakers, are invited to receive their awards at a luncheon
followed by a gala ball.
More than 70,000 people with job skills
72
Antônio Cardilli
accepts ENR
magazine award
in New York
72
Born from the need to prioritize hiring local workers
in 2009, Odebrecht established a partnership with the
from Porto Velho, the Acreditar Program was created
Ministry of Social Development and Combating Hun-
at the Santo Antônio Dam project and has been repli-
ger (MDS) to use of the Federal Government’s Single
cated on several Odebrecht projects in Brazil and other
Registry and Family Grant programs as the basis for
countries. Over 70,000 people have acquired job skills
identifying workers who most needed and stood to
through that program since 2008.
benefit from this program.
Cardilli, who was a member of the San Antônio
According to Cardilli, although its participants have
team at the time, developed the program on the basis
preference in hiring for Odebrecht’s projects, Acreditar’s
of a survey conducted in Porto Velho, which confirmed
greatest contribution has been grooming professionals
that there would not be enough skilled workers to
who are qualified to work in the construction market. In
meet the huge demand that the construction of the
his speech at the ENR ceremony, he stressed the im-
dam would generate. Acreditar was so successful that,
portance of the award for recognizing workers and the
odebrecht informa
Cardilli: emphasis
on sustainable
practices
Graduates
74,238
Acreditar Program
Participants – 2008/2013*
field of engineering, as well as “encouraging
sustainable practices throughout the world.”
Cardilli, who joined Odebrecht at the age
only South American to receive the NewsHired
43,709
Applicants
164,344
of 17 as an Accounting Assistant, was the
makers Award in 2013. His project was the
only one that was directly related to social
issues.
Watch the Savvy series video on Antônio
Cardilli in the digital edition of Odebrecht
*march/2013
Informa (www.odebrechtonline.com.br)
odebrecht informa
73
roots
BACK TO HIS
H
At the Odebrecht
Foundation’s
invitation, Umberto
Matteoni has returned
home to the Southern
Bahia Lowlands
written by Gabriela Vasconcellos photos by Élcio Carriço
e is 54, and 34 of those years have been
been an education. “I’ve developed the spirit of service I
devoted to Odebrecht. His career began
carry with me to this day. It’s the mainstay that keeps me
in 1979, when he was invited to work on a
going. My challenge has always been to groom and educate
highway project in the Brazilian state of Ala-
people, and I’m here to collaborate by sharing knowledge.
goas as an accountant. Of Italian descent,
This is the most important part of my career,” he stresses.
he was born in Ituberá, Bahia, and has a degree in Accounting. When he joined the company, Umberto Matteoni lived
Broad perspective
in Salvador and never dreamed that one day his work with
Matteoni shares the lessons he has learned during
the Group would take him back to the town where he was
more than three decades with the Group with his team
born.
members. Together with an Information Technology (IT)
In 2012, at the invitation of the Odebrecht Foundation,
team, he has developed tools to support entrepreneurship,
he became the officer Responsible for the deployment of
including MyWebDay in the early 1990s. “I traveled to virtu-
a Shared Services Center (CSC) in Ituberá. The CSC serves
ally all the countries where Odebrecht was active to deploy
the institutions linked to the Program for the Development
it. That experience was key for giving me a broad perspec-
and Growth Integrated with Sustainability of the Mosaic
tive on the Group’s operations and made it easier to adapt
of Environmental Protection Areas of the Southern Bahia
to different cultures,” he says.
Lowlands (PDCIS), which is supported by the Foundation
and public and private partners.
“At first, I wasn’t sure what it would be like to go back
IT support, this time helping deploy the O2 (Oracle) Sys-
to my roots. But I embraced the cause, because it is a very
tem. That challenge was a major milestone in his career.
noble one, and it motivated me to contribute to the cre-
“We had to be very attentive and innovative, interacting
ation of a center that includes everything I’ve learned in the
with different people and building new partnerships,” he
Group. It is the sum total of my education through work,”
recalls.
says Matteoni.
74
In 2008, when MyWebDay was no longer keeping up
with Odebrecht’s growth, Matteoni went back to provide
Other highlights of his professional life include the
The CSC specializes in streamlining financial, tax, ac-
Balsas Mineiro project in Porto Nacional, Goiás. “Working
counting, people management and IT processes, ensuring
in a remote part of the country made me see that the only
business security and reducing operating costs. Previously,
way to achieve a goal is through teamwork,” he recalls.
Matteoni had been responsible for Odebrecht’s CSC in São
Now that he is back in his home region, Matteoni al-
Paulo. “I took the helm of a project that was already un-
lows that his generalist background has enabled him to
derway at the time to help the Group’s companies focus on
take on so many different challenges. “I’ve always been
their core activities.”
open to learning new things and acquiring all kinds of
74
After setting up the CSC-Southern Bahia Lowlands,
knowledge, combined with the entrepreneurial philoso-
Matteoni in 2013 went on to lead a team that is provid-
phy of a strong organization that sets its course with clear
ing entrepreneurship support for the PDCIS. “Working to
objectives and understands that the reason for its exis-
transform the region where I was born gives me all kinds
tence is the satisfaction of its clients and the motivation
of satisfaction,” he says. According to him, Odebrecht has
and commitment of its members,” he argues.
odebrecht informa
Matteoni:
“I embraced
the cause”
odebrecht informa
75
FINAL CHAT: ROSI GOMES
The thrill of always
being among
the first
written by José Enrique Barreiro photo by Holanda Cavalcanti
R
Why do you call that experience
osi Gomes has a background
in advertising and spent five
“contemporary and pioneer-
years working on the con-
ing”?
struction of the Santo Antônio Dam
Because it was the first time I saw
in Rondônia, Brazil, where she de-
what we call “contemporary citizen-
veloped a project that she consid-
ship” really happen. Odebrecht net-
ers a “contemporary and pioneer-
worked with individuals who had no
ing” experience in the field of social
real means of ensuring their rights,
outreach. Today, Rosi continues to
and fought for them. It was pioneer-
provide services to Odebrecht as a
ing because it was a new way of
consultant.
relating with national and international development agencies. No-
What are you doing now?
body had a formula, but we all knew
I am still working in the field of insti-
that we had to act differently. We
tutional and public relations for the
were building a hydroelectric dam
implementation of projects in the
in the Amazon under a democratic
areas of hydropower, wind power,
government with all the responsi-
transmission lines, and real estate
helping form a critical mass of col- bilities that entailed. The world was
lege students regarding the Madeira watching us.
and infrastructure projects.
River Hydroelectric Complex. I didn’t
What motivates you most in your
work?
know anyone there. Everything was How does that experience contribute to your work on other
new to me.
projects?
Working with traditional communities is my biggest challenge and my
How did your carry out your
I’ve learned that, when we are
greatest pleasure. Helping bring
mission?
open, truthful and frank with
about dialogue between the parties
Working at Odebrecht is a wonder- the communities, we don’t creful experience. I had all the logisti- ate false expectations that could
involved and seeing the communities grow along with the venture is
very exciting.
cal and technical support I needed. damage our future relationship
There was nothing that shouldn’t or with our neighbors.
couldn’t be said. My job was not to
What was your challenge on the
Santo Antônio Dam project?
I arrived in the city of Porto Velho two
years before ground was broken, to
bring about dialogue between the
developers and local academics,
76
odebrecht informa
convince people or form an alliance Do you miss northern Brazil?
of supporters of the project, but to I do miss it sometimes. I’m always
inform them, answer questions and traveling to new places, meeting
organize meetings so the technicians new people, facing new challenges.
could talk about the plant and debunk You may leave a place, but you never
leave the friends you made there.
any myths.
The next issue of Odebrecht Informa will introduce
a new layout and editorial approach. Wait for it.
RESPONSIBLE FOR CORPORATE COMMUNICATION AT ODEBRECHT S.A.
Márcio Polidoro
RESPONSIBLE FOR PUBLICATIONS PROGRAMS AT ODEBRECHT S.A.
Karolina Gutiez
Founded in 1944, ODEBRECHT
is an organization of Brazilian
origin made up of diversified
businesses with global
operations and worldclass standards of quality.
Its 180,000 members are
present in the Americas, the
Caribbean, Africa, Asia and
Europe.
BUSINESS AREA COORDINATORS Nelson Letaif Chemicals & Petrochemicals |
Andressa Saurin Agroindustry | Bárbara Nitto Oil & Gas |
Kiko Brito Environment | Sergio Kertész Real Estate Developments |
Antonio Carlos de Faria Infrastructure & Transport | Josiane Costa Energy |
André Paraná Industrial Engineering | Renata Pinheiro Defense & Technology |
Daelcio Freitas Properties | Herman Nass Shipbuilding
Coordinator at Obebrecht Foundation Vivian Barbosa
EDITORIAL COORDINATION Versal Editores
Editor-in-Chief José Enrique Barreiro
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Photo Editor Holanda Cavalcanti
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email: [email protected]
Originally published in Portuguese. Also available in Spanish.
Ricardo Teles
“People’s growth
and development are the
starting point and goal
of our duty to serve”
TEO (Odebrecht Entrepreneurial Technology)
78
odebrecht informa