Over twenty five years of domestic and international experience in the following industries: Upstream/Offshore and Downstream Oil and Gas; Chemicals; Petrochemicals and Plastics. Experience includes Office General Management, Operations Management, Business Management, Project Management, Project Engineering Management, Business and Client development, Proposal development, Lead Structural Engineering, front end engineering and design (FEED), detailed engineering design, scheduling, estimating, specification development, procurement and computer application development, Work-share coordination, Corporate Planning and strategy, and Work Process Improvement. In addition, extensive background and knowledge in the identification, planning, development, maintenance, implementation and integration of automated tools for engineering, including the deployment of knowledge management throughout Fluor Corporation.

Mr. Wilkins has a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering and is a Registered Structural Engineer in Texas.

Rick Santos is the Chairman, CEO and founder of Santos Knight Frank (formerly known as CBRE Philippines). He established the company in Manila 23 years ago as the country’s first fully integrated real estate service provider and has grown it to its current size of more than 1,200 staff operating across the country with 11 stand alone, market leading business lines such as Tenant Representation & Office Leasing; Valuation & Appraisal; Investment Sales & Capital Markets; Project Management; Facilities Management; Property Management; Research & Consultancy; Residential Services; and Technical Services & Engineering.

Rick and his team were instrumental in the growth of the BPO sector and were pioneers in bringing many of the multinational BPO and offshoring companies to the country. In addition to running the day-to-day business, he takes charge of the cross-border investment team that focuses on the inbound and outbound movement of institutional and private investment capital.

Rick serves on numerous corporate and non-profit boards including the Asia Pacific Real Estate Association and American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines.

Under his leadership as President of the Philippine Rugby Football Union, the organization witnessed the success of the National Team’s men’s and women’s programs in world rugby. He also plays a pivotal role in promoting the sport to the grassroots level as co-founder of the youth rugby club Santos Knight Frank Mavericks.

Born in the Philippines (his father is from Zamboanga), he was educated at UC Berkeley, the London School of Economics, and Oxford University.

Roberto (Bobby) F. Batungbacal is currently the Country Director for The Dow Chemical Company in the Philippines. He has been leading the U.S. Company with headquarters in Michigan, North America since 2007. Bobby is also the Regional Sales Director for Dow’s Performance Materials Division of Australia, New Zealand, Philippines and Vietnam.

Prior to the current role, Bobby held various regional positions for Dow in Asia Pacific including Commercial Excellence Leader, Marketing Manager for the Amines Business, and Sales Education and Consulting Leader. Bobby is also a certified Six Sigma Black Belt trained in the U.S. and has led global Six Sigma projects in Canada, China, Japan, Spain, and the U.S.

Bobby is very active in the chemical and business industries. He is the Vice-President of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and the Chairman of the Manufacturing Committee. Bobby is also a Luzon Executive Committee member of the Philippine Business for Social Progress and a member of the US-ASEAN Business Council since 2010. He was also the former Chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries’ (FPI) Industrial Policy Committee. Previously, he served as the President of the Samahan sa Pilipinas ng mga Industriyang Kimika (SPIK, Chemical Industry of the Philippines) from 2009 to 2013 and was a former Director of FPI in 2010.

In addition to his contributions to the chemical and business industries, Bobby authors an advocacy website – Philippine Manufacturing Revisited – to raise awareness on the strategic importance of manufacturing in the Philippines. He also co-authored the Manufacturing Policy Brief of the Joint Foreign Chambers.

Born to a family of chemists, chemical engineers and manufacturing entrepreneurs, Bobby is a third-generation chemical professional. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, and an Executive Masters in Business Administration in the Asian Institute of Management. Bobby is married with four young children.

Philip Soliven is the President and Country Representative of Cargill Philippines, Inc., the main operating company and the parent company of Cargill’s various businesses in the Philippines. He is also the Commercial Director for various Food Ingredients and Bio-Industrial (FIBI) businesses and the President of Philippine Bio-Industries, Inc., a Cargill joint venture.

Philip joined Cargill in 1995 as a Singapore-based manager in the Financial Markets Trading Group, then Cargill’s proprietary financial trading business. He managed the group’s investment portfolio for the Philippines and subsequently moved to the Philippines later that year to assume an additional role as country treasurer.

He began his professional career with the First National Bank of Boston, working in the Manila, Philippines branch as a foreign exchange trader. In 1984, he moved to the Bank of Boston’s corporate headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts to assume a role within corporate banking. In 1985, he was assigned to Hong Kong as manager of the bank’s corporate banking business. During his six years in Hong Kong, he occupied a number of positions across Corporate Loan Recovery, Treasury Sales-Foreign Exchange, Debt Trading and Trade Services. In 1991, he relocated to Singapore as vice president for corporate banking. His responsibilities included covering corporate banking clients in Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

Philip is currently a Director of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, and is also Chairman of its Agribusiness committee. In addition, he serves as Chairman of the PSP Committee at the Rotary Club of Makati, as well as a member of the U.S. ASEAN Business Council, Makati Business Club and Management Association of the Philippines. Philip holds a degree in business management from the Ateneo de Manila University.

Jocot is CEO of GE Philippines since 2012 and GE’s Managing Director, Government Affairs & Policy for Asia Pacific.

He has deep experience and expertise in energy spanning business and policy-making. Before joining GE, he was Managing Director of Nido Petroleum Ltd, an oil and gas company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Jocot was Undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Energy from 2001-2004 and Chairman of the PNOC-Exploration Corp. He was responsible for the Philippine Energy Plan and supervised the country’s downstream oil sector. He also established the DOE’s Natural Gas Office.

Jocot holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines, where he was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni in 2014; a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Ateneo School of Law and a Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School.

Peter “Pete” W. Hayden is the General Manager & Country Head for Capital One Philippines. Capital One Philippines provides 24/7 full customer lifecycle support to Capital One; a leading Fortune 500 financial services and technology company.

An experienced and passionate leader, Pete joined the Philippine team in 2016 and has worked to build a strong and diverse team in Capital One Philippines that has created a best in class performance, experience, and career for thousands of Filipinos. Under his leadership, the company was able to double the scale of its operations within 2 years (now at over 4,000 FTE strong) and it now has 2 sites located in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Under his leadership, the organization has been recognized as a top employer in the Philippines and recognized for its deep dedication to improving the lives of the underprivileged Philippine youth and their communities via a multitude of programs from employment upskilling to nutrition and feeding programs and sustainable clean water programs.

Prior to joining Capital One Philippines, Pete spent 8 years in progressively increasing leadership roles across Capital One’s U.S. credit card business. Before joining Capital One, Pete served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. During his time in the US Navy, Pete completed two overseas deployments in support of the Global War on Terror. Following his decision to leave active duty, Pete pursued his M.B.A. while working for two years as a business management consultant serving financial services clients. He graduated from the US Naval Academy, Annapolis Maryland, with a degree in Engineering and Political Science and also holds an MBA from the College of William & Mary, Mason School of Business in Williamsburg, Virginia.

AMCHAM Philippines has been a vital partner to Capital One Philippines supporting the team through their vital growth journey since they opened their doors in 2013. Pete’s personal experience as a leader partnering with AMCHAM and his commitment to the amazing talent of the Philippines led him to pursue a leadership opportunity with AMCHAM. As a Director on AMCHAM’s Board, he is committed to helping U.S. businesses sustainably grow in the Philippines with the talented employee base while providing the local workforce world- class employment opportunities that will ultimately help in further elevating the country.

Varinia “Bayen” Elero-Tinga is a member of the Board of Directors of PMFTC Inc. and is concurrently the Director for External Affairs, a post she has held since April 2014.

Prior to that, Bayen served as Corporate Affairs Director, a post she held for 10 years where she managed issues on regulations, fiscal, and trade. She also handled communications and industry relations. Bayen started in Philip Morris in 2000 as Government Relations Manager and steadily climbed the corporate ladder.

As current Director of the External Affairs department, Bayen drives projects on community investment and CSR programs of PMFTC Inc. through the EMBRACE program which aims to empower communities nationwide through continuing dialogue and through direct programs in the areas of agriculture, environment, economic empowerment, diversity, and other developmental and sustainability initiatives.

Apart from this, she manages the Internal Communications department and champions the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) program of the company. She also oversees the disaster preparedness and response programs of the company, as well as oversee disaster aid to communities nationwide. She and her team works with government agencies, the academe, and with various organizations to educate farmers and local government officials on planning methodologies that better prepare the agriculture sector for new climate/weather patterns.

Outside of PMFTC, Bayen heads the American Chamber of Commerce Philippines (AmCham) Committee on Women (Professional Women of AmCham) where she is also pushing the agenda of Diversity and Inclusion; and Co-Chairs the Food and Agribusiness Committee where she advocates sustainable development and protection of the environment.

Her leadership in corporate affairs, public and government relations, issues management, business strategy, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) has produced many successful internal and external campaigns. Bayen set up Embrace, the CSR program of PMFTC which has given the company several local and international CSR Excellence Awards, and enabled the company to receive the much coveted “CSR World Leader” Award, given in London in 2016.

Bayen manages the Philippine Art Awards (PAA), the country’s oldest and pre-eminent art competition, and in this capacity has supported hundreds of young Filipino artists. She has democratized art by bringing the PAA outside of Metro Manila to the farthest provinces in the country, partnering with state and private universities, private museums and galleries, and local government units. The PAA has graduated many successful artists who have won wide acclaim in the national and Asian art scenes. Bayen believes that information is vital to the sustainable development of the agriculture sector. With this in mind, she organized the Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards (Bright Leaf) in 2007 to recognize the most outstanding agriculture stories published and aired on radio and television. It also honors the most compelling photos that capture the essence of the agriculture industry. In this way have more stories on agriculture, fisheries, and forestry been written and brought to the publics—and decision makers’—attention. Now on its 11th year, Bright Leaf continues to enjoy an increasing number of participants, and continues to bring to fore important agriculture issues, best practices, crop sustainability and many other subjects relevant to the growth of one of the country’s most important industries, which employs over a third of the country’s labor force.

For her work, Bayen was given the Gold Stevie Award for "Woman of the Year" by the International Business Awards in Toronto, Canada in 2015. Thereafter, she was awarded the Silver Award for “Woman of the Year” by the International Stevie Awards for Women in Business in New York City also in 2015.

Still by the International Stevie Awards for Women in Business, Bayen was also conferred the awards of “Maverick of the Year” and “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2015.

Agriculture and environment crusader. D&I champ. CSR advocate. Patroness of the art. Bayen’s advocacies and passion transcend the walls of the company. Her brand of leadership and “transformaction” has made a difference in the lives of thousands of families and individuals across the country.

Shankar is currently the Vice President (Country Head) for Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines, Inc., performing overall general management, leadership and strategy development for the country. Prior to his assignment to the Philippines, he has vast experience in working across the world. In his 27-year career with P&G, Shankar has diverse global/ regional and emerging markets experience across various parts of the world. He has travelled extensively to more than 50 countries and has lived in India, USA, Russia, Vietnam, Singapore, and now in the Philippines. He has deep experience in developed & emerging markets including starting up new businesses; transforming business and organizations to deliver sustained leadership results, and building talent and organizations, as well as building deep external win-win partnership with key stakeholders. He is also deeply committed to giving back to the society and driving sustainability in both his personal and professional capacity. Shankar holds a degree in Economics at St. Stephens College, University of Delhi, India and management from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He is currently living in Metro Manila, Philippines and is a trained Life & Executive Coach, and is a trained yoga instructor and is an avid global explorer and traveler as his hobbies.

Bruce Winton, Cluster General Manager for Marriott International hotels located in Manila and Iloilo, began his term as President of AMCHAM in January 2017. A 27 year veteran of Marriott, Bruce has worked in Europe, the USA and Asia and was named General Manager of the Year for Asia-Pacific in 2013. Marriott is currently expanding their portfolio to 8 hotels in the Philippines in the next 3 years.

A graduate of New Hampshire College in Manchester NH, Bruce is currently completing an Executive Leadership Certificate at Cornell University. He is married to Christina and has 2 teenage children Alex and Colin. Bruce is passionate about providing growing opportunities for the talented workforce of the Philippines and advocates actively for legislation that enables job creation.

Marife Zamora is Chairperson of Convergys Philippines, Inc.    Zamora served as first country manager of Convergys Philippines in 2003 and led its growth into being the country’s largest private employer with 55,000 employees. In 2011, she became managing director for APAC and EMEA. In 2014, she was named Chair of Convergys Philippines.
 

She was with IBM Philippines and held sales, marketing and management positions during 18 years with the company. Later on, she became managing director for Headstrong Incorporated.

She’s 3rd Woman President and 68th President of the Management Association of the Philippines since its inception in 1950; Secretary/Board of Trustees member of Integrity Initiative.  She is also Board Director of PLDT, Inc. and Board Adviser of ABS CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc.

George Marsman Drysdale is Chairman and CEO of the Marsman Drysdale Group, a diversified Philippine-based holding and management company with interests in the agribusiness, healthcare, tourism, communications, and investment management industries.

Mr. Drysdale also makes direct private equity investments in high growth communications, media and consumer beverage companies. Since 1994, Mr. Drysdale has been an investor in the San Francisco Giants baseball team.

Prior to joining the Marsman Drysdale Group in 1991, Mr. Drysdale was a venture capitalist, first as General Partner of Hambrecht & Quist Venture Partners of San Francisco (1983-1987), and then as a managing General Partner of Westar Capital, a management buyout firm. From 1981 to 1983, Mr. Drysdale practiced corporate, securities, and tax law for Davis, Polk & Wardwell, a Wall Street law firm.

Mr. Drysdale served three terms as the President of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and four terms as the Chairman of the twenty-nine member chambers of the Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC).

Don Felbaum’s professional career spans more than twenty (20) years of involvement in Technology Sectors including Telecoms, IT-Enabled Services, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT), among others. His business experience covers more than twenty-five (25) countries worldwide.

Don also has broad general management experience, a team leadership style, with entrepreneurial vision. His excellent interpersonal and communication skills and hands-on management style have helped his clients over the years.

Further, Don has significant experience in business development including start-ups, mergers and acquisitions and project funding. He is active in various Directorships and Advisory Boards with a number of both local and foreign companies.

Mr. Robert M. Sears is a past President of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc., and he also served as its Executive Director for 22 years. Prior to Amcham, Rob spent a distinguished 20 years with Merrill Lynch International, of which during his last 9 years he was President of Merrill Lynch Philippines, Inc.

Rob graduated from Colby College in Waterville, Maine in 1966. Immediately after graduation he joined the United States Air Force reaching the rank of Captain. For service in Vietnam he was awarded the Bronze Star. ,br />

He is now semi-retired in the Philippines, and involved with over 10 NGOs.

Aileen Sarah T. Lerma, a partner, is working with the Securities department. Her practice focuses on securities and corporate law (including mergers and acquisitions, and data privacy matters).

Aileen has extensive experience in handling various capital market transactions, among which are local and international offerings of debt and equity securities, asset-based securities, certificates of deposit, securitizations, and initial and follow-on public offerings. She represents both domestic and foreign clients regarding transactions, regulations, and investments before various government agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Department of Finance, Board of Investments, and Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

Aileen has assisted numerous domestic and multinational companies in the registration of mutual fund companies. She also represented both borrowers and lenders in bilateral and multilateral financing and loan transactions. Furthermore, she has provided advice regarding consolidation, restructuring, and reorganization of operations to industries covering a diverse field, such as real estate, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, and business process outsourcing.

Aileen received her bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1992 where she graduated with honors. She then went on to receive her juris doctor degree from the same university in 1996, where she also graduated with honors. She was admitted to the Philippine bar in 1997, and joined the firm in the same year.

Our Cebu Chapter President works at Lexmark Research and Development Corporation as Director of Research and Development. He heads approximately 540 mechanical, electrical, firmware and software engineers who develop new hardware and software products.

Prior to his assignment in Cebu City, he worked at Lexmark International, Inc in Lexington, Kentucky from March 1991 to December of 2014. He also had a long stint at IBM Corp. in Lexington, from January 1983 to March 1991. He has a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kentucky, and took a master’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

He is married to Dr. Rosemary Minnick, DNP, a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Graduate Nursing Professor. They have 4 grown children, and three grandkids all currently residing in the USA.

In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf, and tennis and goes scuba diving when he gets time off from managing Lexmark.

Dennis holds a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Masters in Acquisition Management. He is an NCMA Fellow, Certified Professional Contracts Manager and DAWIA Level III certified in Contracting by the DOD. He is a Founding Board Director of the U.S. – Philippine Society; President of the AMCHAM Central Luzon Chapter.

He completed a distinguished 33-year career in the U.S. Navy and founded Peregrine Development International. Prior to forming Peregrine, he was Vice President for KBR’s $5B Government Services business segment. Dennis expanded operations into Southeast Asia where he conceived and initiated the development of the $3.0 billion, 177-hectare business park at Clark.

A lawyer by profession, he was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1988, and belongs to UP Law (Diliman), Class 1970. Earlier, he graduated with honors at San Beda College (Mendiola) in 1966 with a political science degree.

As founding chair of both Cesareo Villa-Abrille Development Corp. and Cesareo Properties Management Corp., he develops and manages the family’s vast holding and prime real estates, and handles the family’s philanthropic works thru the Don Cesareo Villa-Abrille Foundation.

In their housing programs for the urban poor, he initiated the donation in Davao City alone of several hectares of Villa-Abrille prime properties, valued at tens of millions of pesos, for the homeless and informal settlers. He has been supporting also many scholars through the Father Maurice Cote Scholarship Foundation since 1984, a foundation he organized with his high school classmates.

As YMCA president, a donation by him and his family of a one-hectare property in Tuban, Davao del Sur, to house the future YMCA Youth Camp and Training Center, was his biggest contribution to the youth of today.

A socio-civic leader, he was District Governor of Rotary International in RY 2011-2012, and is a Major Donor of The Rotary Foundation since 2005.

In 1984, he was UP Law Alumni Davao Chapter President; Davao City Chamber of Commerce director and Knights of Columbus Deputy Grand Knight at Sta. Ana Council, Davao City.

Thereafter, he became national president of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senate Philippines in 2002; national chair of the Philippine Jaycee Senate Foundation in 2007; and national president of the Ambassador Club Philippines for two years. Most recently, he was elected President of the American Chamber of Commerce, Mindanao Chapter. A long-serving active AmCham member since 2000, he was Director for a decade and Vice-President for 5 years since 2012.