Camalia Valdés
Encyclopedia
Camalia Valdés is the President and CEO of Cerveceria India, Inc., Puerto Rico's largest brewery.
. Her grandfather was Alfonso Valdés Cobián
, who in 1937, together with his brothers, Sabino and Ramón Valdés founded Cerveceria India, Inc. (Indian Brewery) in the City of Mayagüez. Her grandfather, who was the chairman and president of the company, was a successful leader whose leadership converted the company into Puerto Rico's largest beer brewery and manufacture of canned and bottled soft drinks. When her grandfather died in 1988, her grandmother Grace Valdes over the company.
As a child she would often visit the company's manufacturing plant, where she would spend most of her time. In 1994, she earned a degree in liberal arts with a minor in legal studies from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut
. Valdés continued her legal studies in the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
and in 1998, earned her Juris Doctor degree.
In 2002, Valdés was named president of the company. Under her leadership, "Malta India", a malt beverage, became most sold in Puerto Rico and the sales of Medalla Light, one of the company's beer brands, increased. The company, which is Puerto Rico's largest beer brewery, is also the manufacture of canned and bottled soft drinks.
Valdés plans to increase her company's hold on the local marketplace and to successfully export the company's product overseas. She oversaw the investment of $24 million dollars in the expansion of the company's manufacturing facilities with the aim of increasing manufacturing production by 60%. With the renovations, which were finished in 2008, Cerverceria India is amongst the most technically advanced breweries in Latin America
.
de Puerto Rico" President Alberto de la Cruz were allegedly involved in a scheme which included illegal donations made by the Coca-Cola
de Puerto Rico and Cervecería India to the political campaign of then Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
Luis Fortuño
who was running for Governor of Puerto Rico
. According to the accusations, Fortuño and his wife, Lucé Vela, reported having received $90,000 from SDA Global as income on their 2004 income taxes. The income was allegedly paid by both companies for legal services which Fortuño's wife never provided and instead were secretly funneled as donations. Valdés denied the allegations and nothing came of the accusations.
Early years
Valdés was born in San Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
. Her grandfather was Alfonso Valdés Cobián
Alfonso Valdés Cobián
Alfonso Valdés Cobián , was an industrialist, banker, sportsman and politician. Valdés Cobián was a cofounder of Cervecería India, Inc., currently Puerto Rico's largest beer brewery.-Early years:...
, who in 1937, together with his brothers, Sabino and Ramón Valdés founded Cerveceria India, Inc. (Indian Brewery) in the City of Mayagüez. Her grandfather, who was the chairman and president of the company, was a successful leader whose leadership converted the company into Puerto Rico's largest beer brewery and manufacture of canned and bottled soft drinks. When her grandfather died in 1988, her grandmother Grace Valdes over the company.
As a child she would often visit the company's manufacturing plant, where she would spend most of her time. In 1994, she earned a degree in liberal arts with a minor in legal studies from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
. Valdés continued her legal studies in the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
The Inter American University of Puerto Rico —or Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico in Spanish, and often referred as "Inter"— is a private university system in Puerto Rico. It was founded in 1912 in San German, Puerto Rico. The University has campuses in Aguadilla, Arecibo, Barranquitas,...
and in 1998, earned her Juris Doctor degree.
Cerveceria India
Valdés practiced law for a short time before joining the company in the position of manager of operations. She implemented new production methods and was responsible for improving the manufacturing plants infrastructure.In 2002, Valdés was named president of the company. Under her leadership, "Malta India", a malt beverage, became most sold in Puerto Rico and the sales of Medalla Light, one of the company's beer brands, increased. The company, which is Puerto Rico's largest beer brewery, is also the manufacture of canned and bottled soft drinks.
Valdés plans to increase her company's hold on the local marketplace and to successfully export the company's product overseas. She oversaw the investment of $24 million dollars in the expansion of the company's manufacturing facilities with the aim of increasing manufacturing production by 60%. With the renovations, which were finished in 2008, Cerverceria India is amongst the most technically advanced breweries in Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
.
Political controversy
In 2008, a newspaper investigation claimed that Valdés and "Coca-ColaCoca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
de Puerto Rico" President Alberto de la Cruz were allegedly involved in a scheme which included illegal donations made by the Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
de Puerto Rico and Cervecería India to the political campaign of then Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
The Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico is a non-voting member of the United States House of Representatives elected by the voters of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico every four years...
Luis Fortuño
Luis Fortuño
Luis Guillermo Fortuño Burset is the governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States of America. Fortuño is also the president of the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico , a member of the Republican National Committee, and will be president of the Council of State...
who was running for Governor of Puerto Rico
Governor of Puerto Rico
The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...
. According to the accusations, Fortuño and his wife, Lucé Vela, reported having received $90,000 from SDA Global as income on their 2004 income taxes. The income was allegedly paid by both companies for legal services which Fortuño's wife never provided and instead were secretly funneled as donations. Valdés denied the allegations and nothing came of the accusations.