Help Fuel the Future - Roberto Rodrigues, Co-Chair

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Roberto Rodrigues, Co-Chair

Roberto Rodrigues - Coordinator of the Getulio Vargas Foundation Agribusiness Center (GV Agro), President of the Superior Council of Agribusiness of Sao Paulo’s Federation of Industries (FIESP), Co-chairman of the International Biofuels Commission (IBC) and former Brazilian Minister of Agriculture - Is an agricultural engineer and an agricultural producer by training, following in the steps of his father and grandfather. His sons have continued the family tradition. He is also a Professor (currently on leave), holding the Chair of Rural Economics at the Sao Paulo State University – UNESP in Jaboticabal.

A strong supporter of the cooperative movement, Minister Rodrigues chaired the Brazilian Cooperatives Organization, the World Committee on Agricultural Cooperatives and the International Cooperative Alliance. He has traveled the world in that capacity, visiting 79 countries while performing his duties.

A well-known agribusiness leader, Roberto Rodrigues served as President of the prestigious Brazilian Rural Society and the Brazilian Agribusiness Association. He is also a member of the Board of dozens of Brazilian producers' associations. In that capacity, Minister Rodrigues represented the Brazilian agribusiness sector in several advisory committees established by the government, such as the National Agricultural Policy Council, the National Monetary Council, and the National Foreign Trade Council. He also chaired the National Agribusiness Forum. Currently he is a member of the Advisory Board of several agribusiness companies in Brazil and abroad.

Appointed Minister of Agriculture and Supply by President Lula da Silva, Minister Rodrigues took office on January 1, 2003 until July 1, 2006.