Gerardo Borerro

Upon returning to Ecuador in 1966, I was invited by Jaime Pardo to join the faculty of Universidad del Pacifico, the prestigious University in Lima founded by his father. I was sad not to take this opportunity and must admit that University of Cuenca convinced me to stay and serve in the land of my antepasados ( a patriotic trick). I became a full time professor and researcher in the School of Economics. The following year, with a leave of absence and a full OAS scholarship, I registered as a graduate student at UCLA, where I was awarded my MA in Economics (Economics Development). My teaching career was to sudddenly end, as upon my return to Cuenca by the end of 1970, President Velasco Ibarra closed indefenitely all public universities due to "political activism" that threaten democracy.
 
For the next two years, I engaged in social services  as promoter, founder and voulenteer of Servicio Ecuatoriano de Voluntarios (SEV), a domestic peace corps type of organization, that still exists. This was a incredible experience that allowed me and other university students to share experiences with our local people in urban and rural comunities. 
 
In 1972, I started a long career with Bank of America, an institution where I worked on 2 different periods. In between Bank of America (1974-1979) I joined Anglo Ecuadorian Oilfields and its new holding: "Clyde Latino America" for the last two years. I was first responsible for the business planning of the network of gas stations and I was later in charge of a diversification program, getting directly involved in the purchase and reorganization of AYMESA, a vehicle assembly company that was eventually controlled by GM. I left as advisor to Clyde´s CEO and in 1979 rejoined Bank of America and stayed until 1989, when the Bank closed its operation in Ecuador and other LA countries. I was fortunate to hold diverse senior positions ( Quito Branch Senior Lending Officer, Country Problem Loan Officer, VP&Rep.of Guayaquil Branch, Int. Liason Officer for Public Debt Reestructure).
 
In 1972, I married Marjorie Cordero, an ecuadorian with family in Mexico. We have been happily married for 37 years. Our 3 children have been able to study abroad. Fabian (36) graduated in Business at KU while Adriana (29) and Lorena (28) attended graduate schools at: U of Nice (France) and Univeridad Catolica Argentina (Buenos Aires). Adriana recently married in May.
 
In 1989, I continued as a banker and was hired as Manager of Banco Bolivariano to organize and manage the new Regional Branch in Quito. In 1992, I became an International Operations Executive for CAF (Corporacion Andina de Fomento), the regional multilateral, the lending entity of the Comunidad Andina.I retired in July of 2000.
 
In 2 occasions, I interrupted for short periods my private career to engage in public service, at the request of the Governmemt. In 1984, I was appointed CFO of CEPE (Corporacion Estatal Petrolera Ecuatoriana) and in 2001 I became General Manger of CFN (Corporacion Financiera Nacional, the government´s Bank for lending to the private sector).
 
Since my retirenment from CAF, I have worked,  as international consultant, both independently and as an associate of Charter Consulting Services. I have been a team member of Charter in the credit risk reviews for CAF and CABEI in the last 5 years. I have also participated  with Charter in other projects for the IDB.
 
I have mantained interest in social endevours. For many years, I actively supported the wonderful work of Interplast, a California based non profit organization, that has sent medical missions to Ecuador since 1974.
 
What is next? I intend to do periodic consulting work and my biggest challange and retirenment insurance is to develop my own pìece of land by the beach in the Cojimies Peninsula, a beautiful area located in what used to be my grandparents hacienda.
 
Covell College gave me an unique educational experience. It prepared me well to undertake effectively many and diverse responsabilities. Throughout the years, in my visits to other countries and  at home, I have met and share unforgettable memories with many Covell classmates, professors and alumni. I hope that the Interamerican spirit and Covell traditions are mantained and live on with the SIS students.