Otavio has 16 years of industry experience and 12 years of consulting experience. His primary roles for Shepherd clients are in market strategy development and interim management. His executive leadership includes his role as President of Liquid Carbonics' U.S. Industrial gases segment where he was responsible for $400 million in sales, 45 production facilities and 1,800 people. He has served as interim President of a middle-market start-up. He began his career in marketing and product development and shaped his consulting and analytical approach at Booz, Allen & Hamilton in New York and Brazil.

As a business leader of companies in transition, Otavio is adept at change management, profit improvement and strategic repositioning. Added to these skills is a fluency in the cultural, political and emotional dimensions of demanding project assignments. This experience and maturity, as well as a hands-on style, fosters a constructive, results-driven, consulting approach.

Some of Otavio’s accomplishments include:

Interim CEO of Kemgas where he performed a viability assessment, validated technology under development, created a revised business plan and established supplier and customer alliances.

Evaluated numerous chemical and manufacturing companies for acquisition or divestiture.

At U.S. operations of Liquid Carbonics, conceived and implemented a broad-based process redesign aimed at cutting customer service costs through cycle time reduction, standardization and work simplification/elimination. Reorganized sales and marketing along customer segments and shifted strategy from volume-oriented to value-added, customer-focused product offerings. Consolidated 16 regional offices into four and reduced headcount by 30%.

As President of Bulk Atmospheric and Cylinder Gases ($160mm), created and executed new strategy. Divested 14 locations. Increased profits 20%.

As Vice President for BOC Gases, negotiated numerous acquisitions and divestitures in South America and the Caribbean. Developed entry strategies for Mexico and Chile. Became low cost supplier in the United States by reducing distribution and production costs through construction of new plants. Identified, analyzed and obtained approval for building over 20 new plants in North America with combined investment of $200mm.

Otavio has been an industry spokesperson for numerous magazines and newspapers. He was selected as a Rising Star by Chemical Week magazine and serves on the board of several volunteer and artistic organizations. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese and has a working knowledge of Italian and French. He earned his MBA from Fundacao Getulio Vargas in Sao Paulo, Brazil and his BSME from the Instituto Tecnologico de Aeronautica, Sao Jose, Brazil.