Who is Who at IDEA? Who is part of our management team?
Behind every great department and business unit, there is a great professional: today we tell you who makes up the IDEA management team, who is in charge of each of them, and how they became fundamental pieces of our system: #IDEATeams.
At IDEA, we continue to establish ourselves as a leading company in Industry 4.0, strengthening our departments and their six business units.
CEO & Founder: Emilio Sánchez
Founder and CEO of IDEA, he graduated in Industrial Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, receiving the award for the Best Final Degree Project. He began by leading the Construction and Assembly Department for an external company before embarking on the innovative world of entrepreneurship.
He founded IDEA with the purpose of implementing a myriad of ideas that could change the way engineering is done, combining the world of engineering with digital technology to lead Industry 4.0. But he didn’t stop there: carrying his entrepreneurial spirit as his banner, he has co-founded and invested in several startups in addition to IDEA, such as VISUARTECH DEVELOP, IA MANUFACTURING, and VODIK. He is also a member of the Board of Governors of the College of Industrial Engineers of Cartagena.
- Hobbies? Sports, cinema, and gastronomy.
- A flaw? Difficulty delegating.
- A virtue? Seeing and bringing out the best in people.
General Manager: Javier Román
Civil Engineer, Roads, Canals, and Ports by UPM, specializing in Water and Energy. He later expanded his training through a General Management Program at IESE. A professional with nearly 25 years of experience in the engineering and construction sector, in which he has directed and led multidisciplinary and international teams in various industries and companies.
He has developed businesses in various countries such as China, Mexico, the UK, Iran, and India, which has allowed him to develop a high capacity for strategy, adaptability, and leadership.
- Hobbies? Enjoying family and friends over a good meal. Traveling.
- A flaw? Too much patience.
- A virtue? Good listener. Practical when making decisions.
Quality Manager: Azucena Navarro
Industrial Technical Engineer, specialized in Industrial Chemistry by EPSL of Jaén. She also holds a Master’s in Quality and a Master’s in Occupational Risk Prevention.
With experience working as a Quality Supervisor at the HPP plant for SABIC, Safety Technician, and Maintenance Project Manager for ENAGAS, Safety Superintendent at TECNICAS REUNIDAS, Project Manager for metallurgical maintenance at the SABIC plant in La Aljorra, Project Technician for the EPC structure project for AZITO, and Unit Supervisor in construction for REPSOL.
She is currently the Head of Quality, Environment, and Prevention at IDEA, achieving the company’s incorporation as a member of the United Nations Global Compact.
- Hobbies? Cinema, traveling, and gatherings with friends and family.
- A flaw? Impatient and nonconformist.
- A virtue? Humble, responsible, tolerant, generous, forward-thinking, and a good person.
Business Development Director: Juan Antonio Gutierrez
Senior Project Engineer with over 30 years of professional experience. He studied Industrial Technical Engineering at UPCT and then began his professional experience at PEGINFRA as a technical head of bids. However, due to his curiosity about project management in engineering, he requested a transfer to ELAN PROYECTOS, where he expanded his knowledge in all disciplines.
After nine years, he joined IDEA, where he started as Head of Installations until becoming Director. He is currently the Director of the Business Development department, where he manages international multidisciplinary projects in the Oil & Gas, Water, Chemical, and Energy sectors.
- Hobbies? Hiking, DIY, and rally driving.
- A flaw? Reserved.
- A virtue? Strong analytical skills and sound judgment.
Engineering Director: Antonio Rubio
Senior Project Engineer with over 10 years of professional experience. He studied Telematics Engineering at UPCT and, after graduating, joined EMMSA, which gave him his first point of contact with IDEA.
He secured a summer internship for a metallurgical contractor, for the chemical company “Sabic,” and realized his passion for the industrial world. After working in Morocco, where he developed professionally in construction, and also being involved in the expansion of the Repsol Refinery, he ended up working at IDEA, where he is currently the Director of the Engineering department.
- Hobbies? Fishing, paddle tennis, music, and futsal.
- A flaw? Very direct, impatient, and somewhat impulsive.
- A virtue? Empathetic, agile, proactive, sociable, and good at retaining talent.
EPC Director: Rafael Manzano
Rafael has always been linked to IDEA, being a partner in the company alongside Emilio Sánchez. He is an Industrial Engineer and completed his higher education at the Polytechnic University of Barcelona.
He has over 27 years of professional experience. He started in the Industrial Construction sector, where he worked for more than 10 years. Later, he moved to the sector of Thermal and Thermochemical Treatment of Steels, setting up a new factory where he worked for over 6 years.
Today, and for the past 10 years, he has been working in engineering, managing projects, overseeing construction works, and executing EPC projects.
- Hobbies? Music, photography, hiking, and swimming.
- A flaw? Perfectionist.
- A virtue? Optimistic and collaborative.
International EPC Director: Luis Olaiz
Telecommunications Engineer with over 25 years of experience in production environments in sectors such as automotive, rail, and finally, construction, working for a company like Copisa, where he held various roles such as Quality and Purchasing Manager, ultimately taking on the direction of Industrial Projects carried out in West Africa (Mauritania and Guinea).
He is currently the International EPC Director at IDEA, where his efforts are focused on the international expansion of the company through the development of EPC-type projects.
- Hobbies? Traveling, basketball, and music.
- A flaw? Sometimes not knowing when to say no.
- A virtue? Handling pressure, patience.
Recruitment and Outsourcing Director: Rosa Mas
After earning her degree in Technical Architecture in 2005, Rosa started her professional career at AMAT-GADEA Arquitectos, later joining the Building team until 2010. Additionally, her desire for new challenges led her to alternate her regular projects with technical direction and safety coordination projects.
In 2009, she earned her Master’s in Occupational Risk Prevention, joining the Repsol C-10 Project as a Safety Technician, marking the start of her experience in this field. She later worked as Safety Manager for 3 years during the renovation with the construction company Millecasa, and subsequently worked at ENAGÁS. In 2016, she joined IDEA to implement the 4 SGIs (Integrated Management Systems) the company possesses. She is currently the Director of the Recruitment and Outsourcing department.
- Hobbies? Outdoor sports, swimming, paddle tennis with friends, diving, kayaking.
- A flaw? Overly demanding.
- A virtue? Ability to organize and prioritize work needs.
Digital Transformation Director: Alejandro Cadenas
Industrial Engineer with 15 years of experience in instrumentation and control systems at leading companies like SIEMENS and SENER. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated his ability to adapt to technological changes and evolve in his profession, becoming a Digital Engineer specialized in Industry 4.0 solutions.
He is currently the Director of Digital Transformation at IDEA, focusing on the development of digital twins and the implementation of innovative technologies in the industry.
- Hobbies? Physics, literature, and video games.
- A flaw? Doesn’t always finish what he starts.
- A virtue? Lateral thinking and curiosity.
Grids Director: Juan Emilio Bertomeu
Electrical Industrial Technical Engineer with a master’s in Occupational Risk Prevention and another in International Project Management.
He has been working as an Electrical Engineer since 1998 and has been at IDEA since 2008, first as Project Manager in Alicante, and since 2022, as Director of the Networks Business Unit.
- Hobbies? Running and the countryside.
- A flaw? Taking some issues personally.
- A virtue? Ability to see work holistically and know how to surround himself with an extraordinary team.
Architecture Director: Begoña Santos
With studies in Architecture at the European University of Madrid, she began her career as a freelancer after 4 years working for a multidisciplinary private architecture and engineering firm, which allowed her to balance work life with her Master’s studies (MBA). After completing it, she returned to work as Project Manager for a construction company.
Since 2010, she has periodically collaborated with IDEA Ingeniería, until March 2019 when she joined the company as Director of the Architecture Business Unit. She has participated in numerous projects of various types, even winning the public award for interior design at the XVIII edition of the Architecture Awards of the Murcia region in 2015.
- Hobbies? Art in all its forms, traveling, reading, and outdoor sports.
- A flaw? Difficulty delegating and disconnecting from work.
- A virtue? Empathetic, organizational skills, perseverance, and persistence.
IT Manager: Mario Aniorte
Technician in Microcomputer Systems and Networks. He is currently pursuing a degree as a Senior Technician in Network Computer Systems Administration.
His professional experience in the IT field began a year ago at DEPAU. He has been part of the IDEA team for 5 years as the IT department manager.
- Hobbies? Motorcycling, cooking, and traveling.
- A flaw? Lack of organization and difficulty prioritizing tasks.
- A virtue? Problem-solving and teamwork skills.
Communications & Marketing Manager: África Cano
Graduated in Advertising and Public Relations from the Complutense University of Madrid. She also holds a Master’s in Corporate (MICE) and Social Events (CIOMIJAS).
She has over 12 years of experience in the communications and events sector. Throughout her career, she has gained strong commercial, management, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, making her a highly versatile, proactive, committed professional with leadership abilities.
She is currently the Communications and Marketing Manager at IDEA and is pursuing a Master’s in Digital Marketing at The Valley (Madrid).
- Hobbies? Gastronomy, traveling, live music, and cinema.
- A flaw? Perfectionist.
- A virtue? Hardworking, organized, humble, very positive, and creative.
The IDEA team is committed to continuous improvement, motivated by tackling new projects and challenges.
Much more than engineering.
Much more than engineering.
