My name is Juan Felipe Ortiz. I am Colombian, born in Suaita, a small village in the center of Colombia. As an Electrical Engineer and the youngest of three children, I was raised in a family that instilled strong values of respect and disciplined work.

Sharing hot coffee with the team during cable installation between Towers 92 and 60 in the Andes, over 4800 meters above sea level.

With over 15 years of experience in the energy sector, I have led large-scale projects across Colombia, Peru, Haiti, Ireland, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, spanning Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, Power Generation, and Transmission. My career has been built on a foundation of strong technical expertise and cross-cultural project leadership, preparing me for the challenges and opportunities at CTG.

Encouraging contractors and subcontractors during final cable laying work in the San Gabán project.

I joined CTG in May 2024 as Vice President in charge of Greenfield projects for CTG Latam. My primary responsibility was to oversee the Baranoa I project and ensure the timely execution of Baranoa II and Baranoa III. As Greenfield Director, my main challenge was to identify gaps in management and implement a clear execution plan. This involved restructuring the team, redefining roles, and enhancing support services such as the Owner Engineer to improve project tracking and control.

Inspecting the isolator installation at Tower 86 while working at high altitude in the Andes.

A significant part of my role was to bridge cultural and regulatory understanding between local practices and CTG’s Chinese management style. By fostering clear communication, I helped align both sides toward common goals, which has been essential to our progress.

Enjoying the scenic landscapes of the Peruvian Andes during the transmission line construction.

This experience has contributed greatly to my personal and professional growth. While I have previously worked internationally, the Baranoa and San Gabán projects brought a new level of pressure that taught me patience, empathy, and resilience. In my position, I must continuously balance the perspectives of my local team and contractors with those of my Chinese leaders.

Signing the last module installation at the Baranoa 3 PV Plant alongside Chinese Ambassador to Colombia Mr. Zhu Jingyang.

The key to success has been establishing reliable communication channels, especially with my direct leader, Mr. Wang Bo. He recognized early on how language and cultural differences could hinder decision-making and made considerable efforts to understand both my perspective and the local Latam context. His guidance has equipped me with the support and tools needed to make sound decisions under pressure and to manage projects effectively.

Accompanying Ambassador Zhu Jingyang during his visit to projects B2 and B3 with CTG Latam and local management teams.

I often emphasize that while technical issues can be solved by technical teams, matters of communication, culture, and intangible dynamics require dedicated management and strong interpersonal skills to navigate successfully. Today, I am proud to contribute to CTG’s mission and committed to helping it become one of the leading energy companies in Colombia.