WASHINGTON, DC, US — Federico Salcedo has joined the US Grains Council’s Latin America regional team as an ethanol consultant, while Freddy Villao, a part-time ethanol consultant in Ecuador, has added more countries to his role.

As regional ethanol consultant, Salcedo works with strategic public and private stakeholders across Latin America to help them achieve policy goals and capture value through fuel ethanol, promoting the benefits and comparative advantages of US ethanol. Salcedo fills the position that Carlos Suarez left following his move to the USGC’s Washington, DC, US, headquarters.

Salcedo previously was the senior international assistance officer, Embassy of Canada in Colombia for Global Affairs Canada (GAC). He has also worked with Management Systems International and the US Department of State.

“We are extremely happy to welcome Federico to the team. Given his background working in the public sector and his previous knowledge of the fuel markets, Federico has quickly been able to implement USGC strategies in the region,” said Marri Tejada, USGC regional director for Latin America. “Even though he only has a little more than one month working for the Council, I can tell he has great ideas to further develop our ethanol goals in the region. I’m confident our members and customers will enjoy working with Federico and view him as a trusted ally.”

Villao, in addition to his expanded work on the Council, currently serves as the vice president of government affairs at Titan Minerals – Ecuador, and previously held roles in the Office of the Vice Presidency of the Republic of Ecuador.

“Freddy has been incredible asset to the Council in Ecuador. For the past year, he’s been able to work closely with the Council to help us realize our goals and carry out strategies,” Tejada said. “Now, we’d like to build and echo these efforts in other countries in the region. With his legal expertise and background in the fuel sector, he’s a great asset and contributor to our overall strategy in Latin America.”