Chairman for Council 2025 - Mr Edgar Herrera - COSTA RICA
Vice Chairman for Council 2024 - Mr Jude Chesire - KENYA

Edgar Herrera, Executive Director of LAICA, will preside over the International Sugar Organization's Council 2025.

Edgar Herrera, 65, is a prominent Costa Rican Executive recognized for his leadership in the sugarcane industry at both national and international levels. Since  2020, he has served as Executive and Commercial Director of the Sugar Cane Agricultural and Industrial League (LAICA) in Costa Rica, where he has driven the transformation of logistical, production, and commercial processes throughout the sector.

In his most recent career milestone, Mr Herrera will preside over the International Sugar Organization Council (ISO) for 2025. The ISO is an intergovernmental entity composed of 88 member states that aims to enhance global sugar market conditions by tackling challenges and promoting international cooperation. This appointment reflects global recognition of his leadership and Costa Rica's contributions to the international sugar industry.

Mr. Herrera  holds a Master's degree in International Trade and Commerce from Texas A&M University in the United States and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Finance. Over his career, he has held highly strategic positions, including participation in the privatization of public companies in Costa Rica through the Fiduciaria de Inversiones Transitorias S.A. (FINTRA), supported by US AID and in this capacity, spearheaded major transformations in key and major industrial companies such as Aluminios Nacionales (ALUNASA), Cementos del Pacífico (CEMPASA), Fertilizantes de Centroamérica (FERTICA), and Central Azucarera Tempisque S.A. (CATSA). Additionally, for more than 18 years, served on the Board of Directors of Lincoln School, holding twice the position of President. During his tenure, he oversaw the development and modernization of this prestigious international educational institution, highlighting the execution of significant infrastructure and expansion projects.

Over several years at the international level,  Mr. Herrera has represented LAICA in various organizations, such as the World Sugar Research Organization (WSRO), the Central American Sugar Association (AICA), and the Union of Latin American Sugar Producers (UNALA). Furthermore, he chaired the CBI Ethanol Producers Group for four years, representing Central America and the Caribbean in the ethanol sector in the United States.

Throughout his professional career, Mr. Herrera has placed special emphasis on the sustainable development of the Costa Rican sugarcane industry, which is composed of over 6,000 independent producers, most of whom are small and medium-sized. His leadership has been key to strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of this industry, a fundamental pillar for the country's economic development.

 Under his direction, LAICA has implemented rigorous quality, food safety, and sustainability standards, positioning Costa Rica as a regional leader in sugar production and solidifying its leadership in innovative and sustainable industry practices.

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