ALFA's Chairman of the Board and CEO is recognized in the series 30 Stories: EXATEC EGADE Through the Years for his business leadership and commitment to education and the community.
By INSTITUTIONAL COMMUNICATION | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL
Álvaro Fernández Garza (MA'91) has been a prominent figure in business leadership for over three decades. His strategic vision and ability to take on challenges have solidified his role as a key player in developing high-impact industries.
He serves as Chairman of the Board and CEO of ALFA, a global group operating through its subsidiaries Sigma and Alpek. Sigma is a leading multinational company in the food industry, with well-known brands in Mexico, the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. Alpek is a global leader in polyester (PTA, PET, and rPET) and expandable polystyrene (EPS) production and the only polypropylene (PP) producer in Mexico.
The EGADE Business School Master in Management alum from Tecnológico de Monterrey joined ALFA in 1991 and has since held strategic positions within the industrial conglomerate.
Before assuming the role of CEO in 2010, he led Sigma Alimentos, where his leadership was instrumental in the company's expansion and consolidation.
In 2024, he was appointed Chairman of ALFA’s Board of Directors, from where he drives the group’s evolution in a constantly transforming global environment.
He also serves as Chairman of the Boards of Alpek and the University of Monterrey (UDEM), Co-Chairman of the Boards of Axtel and Controladora Axtel, and Board Member of Cydsa and Vitro.
Gracias @SOYCarlosMota por la entrevista. https://t.co/TIXFpqZ8xF
— Alvaro Fernandez (@AlvaroFdezGza) January 24, 2020
LEADERSHIP BEYOND BUSINESS
Throughout his career, Álvaro has played an active role in business organizations such as CAINTRA Nuevo León, the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), and the Confederation of Industrial Chambers (Concamin), strengthening industrial sector development in Mexico.
His commitment to education has been a constant in his career. For years, he has maintained a strong relationship with the University of Monterrey (UDEM), where he chaired the Executive Development Committee and the Advisory Committee of the Roberto Garza Sada Center for Art, Architecture, and Design. In 2017, he assumed the Chairmanship of UDEM’s Board of Directors, a position he continues to hold.
Additionally, he has driven various initiatives through Fundación ALFA, promoting education and social development. His interest in culture is also reflected in his role as a Board Member of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Monterrey.
VISION OF LEADERSHIP AND RESILIENCE
Álvaro believes leadership goes beyond managing a company; it is about positively influencing others. “A leader is always looking for ways to help. A leader is always looking for ways to make their team’s job easier,” he shared in an interview with Perspectiva UDEM.
For him, resilience is a crucial factor in anyone’s career. “You learn much more from life’s setbacks, much more from the challenges you face. In the end, you must adapt to what comes your way,” he reflects.
His advice for future generations is simple yet powerful: “You have to do your best at the moment you’re in, with the resources you have. If you’re a student, give it your all. If it’s your first job, give it your all. If your boss is the best boss you’ve ever had, great—learn from them. Always do your best. If you always do your best, regardless of the circumstances, things will turn out well for you.”
With a leadership style rooted in strategic vision, commitment to education, and social mobility, this EXATEC EGADE continues to shape the future of industry and society, inspiring new generations to lead with integrity and determination.