C?SAR ALIERTA IZUEL

Became the chairman and CEO of Telefónica in 2000. César Alierta Izuel helped the company expand from its native Spain into Latin American markets. He has also been a director on numerous boards, including that of the Madrid Stock Exchange. Prior to joining Telefónica, he worked for Banco Urquijo, was chairman and founder of Beta Capital, and chairman of Tabacalero.

Born in 1945 in Spain, he earned his MBA at the University of Columbia in New York and holds a law degree from the University of Zaragoza in Spain. Before going to Telefónica, Izuel worked for Tabacalera, Spain's state-run tobacco giant.