AGG Recognizes Top Executives for Leadership and Strategic Vision 2025
AGG announces the nominees for Gerente del Año 2025, honoring Guatemala’s most innovative and visionary business leaders driving growth, entrepreneurship, and social impact.
Guatemala’s business community is gearing up for one of its most anticipated recognitions, the Gerente del Año 2025 awards, organized by the Asociación de Gerentes de Guatemala (AGG). The distinction celebrates excellence, innovation, and visionary leadership across six categories, honoring executives and entrepreneurs who are driving growth, productivity, and social impact in the country.
Recognizing Innovation and Leadership
The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 23, highlighting the role of business leaders who have contributed to Guatemala’s development through innovative projects that inspire new generations.
According to AGG, the award “honors outstanding business leaders for their management capacity and contribution to the nation’s economic and social development.”
It also recognizes those who think differently, fostering innovation, human development, and entrepreneurship from both corporate and social perspectives.
Categories and Nominees
Commercial Innovation
- María José Casafont Pastor, General Director, Flowing Rivers S.A. (FRT)
- Nicolás Cofiño, Commercial Manager, Cervecería Artesanal El Zapote
- Andrés Chiroy Guarcax, General Manager, Intercop R.L.
Organizational Innovation
- Rudy Amílcar Lacayo Arriaza, General Manager, Aseguradora Guatemalteca S.A.
- Reyna Silvia Salguero, Human Resources Director, Magdalena S.A.
- Jennifer Jeannette Tzul Agustín, Talent Manager, Cooperativa Cosami R.L.
Productive Innovation
- Ismael Ballestas, General Manager, Cementos Ultracem Guatemala
- Juan Carlos Herrera San José, Deputy General Manager, Cooperativa Guadalupana
- Edgar José Tórtola, Operations Manager, Genba
Startups
- José Castillo, Castor’s Pizza
- Walter Espina, General Manager, Bite RB Quince
- Alexander Ruiz, General Manager, The Coldest Water
Lifetime Achievement and Manager of the Year
Two of the most prestigious categories, Lifetime Achievement and Manager of the Year 2025, will be revealed during the ceremony.
- Lifetime Achievement honors professionals with over 25 years of leadership, whose work has left a positive mark on Guatemala’s business landscape.
- Manager of the Year stands as the top recognition, celebrating executives who demonstrate exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and measurable impact within their organizations.
Voting and Selection Process
Members of AGG will select the winners in the first four categories through their website, with voting open until October 16.
Meanwhile, the AGG Board of Directors will determine the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement and Manager of the Year awards, following established evaluation criteria focused on innovation, results, and leadership excellence.
Legacy of Business Excellence
Over the years, the Gerente del Año awards have recognized some of Guatemala’s most prominent business figures, including:
- Juan José Gutiérrez (Pollo Campero, 2005)
- Yolanda de Cofiño (McDonald’s, 2006)
- Diego Pulido (Corporación BI, 2007)
- Diana Canella (Canella, 2010)
- Jacobo Tefel Farrer (Fogel Centroamérica, 2011)
- Carmelo Torrebiarte (Grupo Cobán, 2013)
- Enrique Neutze Aycinena (Aseguradora General, 2014)
- Connie Beneitez de Paiz (2018)
- Juan Niemann (2020)
- Heroes of the Pandemic (2021)
- Carlos Guzmán (2022)
- and Roberto Way Menéndez (2023).
The Gerente del Año 2025 awards reaffirm Guatemala’s commitment to recognizing visionary business leadership and the transformative power of innovation. As new generations of executives emerge, AGG’s initiative continues to promote a culture of excellence, responsibility, and forward-thinking management that strengthens the country’s economic and social progress.
