JOÃO RICARDO B. LAFRAIA is MSc by the Cranfield Institute of Techonology and MBA by the Pontificia Catholic University. He has taught at the Federal University of Paraná and FGV Rio and has authored many books and articles. He has acted as General-Manager in 5 Refineries around Brazil and headed the Operational Excellence Department for all refineries at Petrobras Headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. Previously, the Executive Director for the FCCSA Chemical Company and currently the General-Manager in the Exploration and Production Santos Basin Business Unit and Chairman of the Deliberative Council of ABRAMAN.