The M&A team at Vesta is growing! We are pleased to welcome Juan Romero to our LATAM team, who has joined us as an M&A Business Development Executive. To help you get to know more about him, we caught up with Juan to ask him some questions about his background and life outside of work.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background
I was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, into a family with roots in Valle del Cauca, so I like to think I’ve got the best of both worlds. I’ve also had the pleasure of living in Medellín, which I see as adding another layer to the cultural quilt that defines some quirks of my personality.
I’m a business administrator and I’ve been immersed in the world of business development for a good chunk of my professional life, helping foreign companies dive into the Colombian market across various sectors like agriculture and agritech, homeland security, fintech, and other tech ecosystems.
What made you choose Vesta as the next step in your career?
I believe it’s a fantastic opportunity, not only because joining Vesta adds a new layer of responsibilities to my experience, but also because it means joining a solid company with strong support, focused on establishing a presence in Colombia and LATAM.
Moreover, at this stage of my career, I was seeking to be part of a dynamic and cohesive team where relationships and communication are fundamental pillars of the organisation, fostering learning and the creation of new knowledge for the future.
What are your top three books / podcasts?
Recently, I’ve been inspired by books written by authors who belonged to highly specialised military units. Lessons such as the importance of simple habits, respect for your peers, and the development of a focused yet adaptable mindset, among others, have helped me reshape multiple aspects of my professional and personal life.
- “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins
- “Make Your Bed” by William H. McRaven
- “Discipline Equals Freedom” by John Gretton “Jocko” Willink
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love the outdoors. I try to get in as many kilometres as possible during the week riding my mountain bike (trail and enduro) or hiking/running in the woods.
I also enjoy cooking with family and friends… it’s always BBQ and beer o’clock somewhere!
Who inspires you?
My parents – my father as an example of tireless, critical, and ethical work, and my mother as the pillar of the family, always striving to instill values and curiosity in both my sister and me.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
As an enthusiast of tools, power tools, and machinery, I would love to master my carpentry and construction skills.
What is your favourite quote?
I have two:
- “If you are going through hell, keep going” – Winston Churchill
- “Who dares wins” – Ethos of the British Special Air Service (SAS)
