New SLOM board of directors focuses on young leadership and global expansion
During the twenty-first meeting of the Latin American Society of Marine and Monobuoys Operators (SLOM), held in Panama City, Inspenet CEO Francesco Solari interviewed the organization's new incoming board of directors. Luis Felipe Ferreira (Brazil) takes over as president, accompanied by María Victoria González (Uruguay) as vice-president, Diana Bayona (Colombia) as treasurer and José Perdomo (Venezuela) as compliance director; a team diverse in age, gender and origin, representing a new stage for the organization.
From the stage of this regional event with global vision, the leaders shared their roadmap, which focuses on an ambitious vision, aimed at SLOM's expansion, the transformation of the maritime energy industry and inclusion as a strategic value.
Diversity as a basis for leadership
Luis Felipe Ferreira explained that the formation of the group responded to a deliberate criterion of diversity, since, despite differences in age, gender and nationality, they all share a deep passion for SLOM. He emphasized that diversity represents both an ethical principle and an operational advantage, incorporating perspectives that enrich decision-making in the ever-evolving port industry.
Regarding the objectives, Ferreira expressed the board's commitment to consensus building, continuous improvement and team cohesion, basing this approach on respect for differences and collaboration.
Global direction for a technical organization
One of the most compelling points of the conversation was the intention to expand SLOM beyond its Latin American scope, a vision driven by encouraging comments received from North America that motivate them to think globally.
In this context of global energy transition, the organization aims to consolidate itself as a space where operators understand the direction of the new regulations. As expressed by its president, the fundamental objective is to convert Latin America's potential into energy in movement and concrete action.
Inclusion of women and technical leadership
From her experience as technical leader in Uruguay, Vice President María Victoria González shared the vision of making terminals more versatile, for which she highlighted the value of SLOM as a technical platform that allows countries to share solutions to common problems.
Regarding the evolution of the sector, González highlighted the increase in female participation since its incorporation in 2010, noting that today many more women occupy operational and leadership roles; a change that, although it may seem slow, he described as decidedly positive.
For her part, Colombian treasurer Diana Bayona referred to the strategic role of women in this historically male-dominated industry, stating that their contribution encompasses both the technical and strategic spheres, and making it clear that this diversity consolidates the foundations for a more robust and innovative energy industry.
An evolution of more than two decades
José Perdomo, founding member of SLOM and current compliance director, shared a reflection that connects the origins of the organization with its present, noting that 21 years ago they started with 75 people and today they bring together more than 530 members in this growing community.
The executive emphasized that, although the current challenges are great, particularly in energy matters, SLOM must continue to be a technical and professional voice in support of the sector, affirming that the new directive represents an update that honors the historical legacy while moving forward with a vision for the future.
The human factor as the protagonist
This year's event focused on the "human factor", a strategic choice in a world where, despite rapid technological advances, people continue to be at the center of port operations.
With this new directive, SLOM consolidates itself as a space of reference to face global challenges with regional identity, strengthening its foundations as a technical, collaborative and genuinely representative community of the Latin American reality.
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Source: Inspenet.
