In the News
Press coverage and public records of projects Juan has led or shaped.
Interview · 2025
How Pesquería became a global hub — and Mexico's electric future
Exclusive interview with Juan Héctor Algrávez on Kia's Pesquería plant as a global export hub and the country's e-mobility outlook. Neuron Business Media
Kia México · 2026
Kia's USD 649M EV3 investment — presidential announcement
President Sheinbaum announces Kia's investment to produce its first fully electric vehicle in Mexico at the Pesquería plant.
Kia México · 2026
Kia to invest USD 649 million to build the EV3 in Mexico
Coverage of the 2026–2028 investment: 2,000 new jobs, a solar park and EV charging infrastructure.
El Financiero
Zuma Energía · 2024
Central de Abasto photovoltaic plant begins operation
The world's largest urban rooftop solar installation: 18 MW on Mexico City's main wholesale market.
Gobierno de la CDMX
Zuma Energía · 2023
How the Central de Abasto solar plant works
Over 30,000 panels across 20 hectares, generating up to 25 GWh a year for Mexico City.
EL CEO
Korea–Mexico · 2026
Mexico and South Korea move toward FTA negotiations
The bilateral free-trade negotiations relaunched during Juan's tenure at the Korean Embassy continue to advance.
EL CEO
ProMéxico · AEM
Orbit Plan 2.0 — Mexico's space-sector roadmap
The national space-industry roadmap conceived at ProMéxico, published with the Mexican Space Agency.
Official PDF (gob.mx)Professional Experience
Head of Institutional Relations & Government Affairs
Kia México
Mexico City, Mexico
2024 – 2026
Led the institutional, government and public affairs agenda of Kia Corporation's Mexican subsidiary (Fortune Global 500 #166, 7.3% of Mexico's light-vehicle market), reporting directly to Kia México's CEO and to Hyundai Motor Group's EVP for Global Policy. Monitored legislation, regulation, trade, tariffs and industrial policy, translating emerging risks into executive recommendations.
Key Achievements
- Created and coordinated the government affairs strategy behind President Claudia Sheinbaum's announcement of Kia México's USD 649 million investment to produce the Kia EV3 — the company's first fully electric vehicle manufactured in Mexico — at the Pesquería plant (2026–2028)
- Generated USD 500 million in savings by securing renewal of Kia México's critical CIVA exporter certification through direct engagement with the Ministry of Finance and SAT
- Built strategic relationships with Mexico's Secretaries of Economy, Security and Finance; AMIA, INA, ANPACT, AMDA and AmCham; and the Korean Embassy, supporting the planned creation of the South Korean Chamber of Commerce in Mexico
Chief of Staff to the CEO — Head of Board of Directors Office
Zuma Energía (SPIC)
Mexico City, Mexico
2022 – 2023
Zuma Energía is part of State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC), a global clean-energy group ranked No. 271 on the Fortune Global 500. Reported directly to SPIC Latin America's CEO; oversaw five solar and wind farms, led Board communications and directed public affairs and executive positioning.
Key Achievements
- Coordinated completion of the Central de Abasto Photovoltaic Plant in Iztapalapa — the world's largest urban rooftop solar installation on a public market: MXN 600 million, 18 MW, up to 25 GWh annually
- Promoted an investment portfolio exceeding USD 5 billion in solar and wind projects across Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico and Peru
- Developed strategic alliances with Latin American governments and led the urgent-issues resolution task force across Legal, Asset Management, Business Development, ESG, Finance and Government Affairs
Chief Senior Advisor to the Ambassador
Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Mexico
Mexico City, Mexico
2017 – 2022
Advised three Ambassadors (Beeho Chun, Sang-il Kim and Tae-wan Huh) on political, economic and regulatory developments affecting the bilateral relationship, coordinating high-level government engagement, strategic communications and stakeholder outreach across the Embassy's economic, consular, military and intelligence sections.
Key Achievements
- Deployed a PR campaign that strengthened South Korea–Mexico relations and expanded the Ambassador's engagement with the Mexican Presidency, state governors, the Mayor of Mexico City, Secretaries of State, senators and business associations
- Relaunched negotiations for the Mexico–South Korea Free Trade Agreement
International Negotiations Professor
Tecnológico de Monterrey
Mexico City, Mexico
2018 – 2025
Key Achievements
- Honored as "Most Inspiring Professor" from 2019 to 2025
- Cultivated international negotiation, critical analysis and debating skills in over 1,000 future professionals
Chief Technical Officer to the CEO
ProMéxico
Mexico City, Mexico
2011 – 2016
Provided technical counsel to two Mexican presidents, two Secretaries of Economy and four ProMéxico CEOs on foreign direct investment and trade promotion, coordinating Mexico's international promotion network of 46 overseas offices and 80 embassies.
Key Achievements
- Contributed to the promotion of more than USD 192 billion in FDI in Mexico
- Directed 155 international expansion projects (~USD 50 billion) for CEMEX, Grupo Bimbo, América Móvil, FEMSA, Grupo ALFA, Alsea, Gruma, Aeroméxico, KidZania and Nemak across China, South Korea, Germany, Latin America and the Middle East
- Conceived Mexico's national technology roadmaps: "Orbit Plan: Roadmap for Mexico's Space Industry" and the Aerospace Industry Roadmaps
Advisor to the Secretary of Economy — Head of Economic Intelligence Unit
Mexican Ministry of Economy
Mexico City, Mexico
2010 – 2011
In charge of collecting, analyzing and reporting strategic intelligence required by the President of Mexico and the Secretary of Economy, preparing executive-level assessments on economic, regulatory and competitiveness matters.
Key Achievements
- Supported congressional approval of Mexico's Federal Economic Competition Law, helping establish the legal framework for COFECE, Mexico's autonomous competition authority
Executive Strategy Advisor
Airbus Group (EADS)
Paris, France
2009 – 2010
Led a strategic audit of Airbus Group's government funding and subsidy strategy supporting green aerospace technologies and advanced composite materials, heading a team of four economic-intelligence specialists reporting to SVP Olivier Siri.
Key Achievements
- Delivered a strategy report highly regarded by Airbus Group's Board of Directors, credited with enabling the company to fine-tune its lobbying strategy for government funding and subsidies
Beyond the CV · World Cup 2018
The night diplomacy rode on Mexican shoulders
June 27, 2018: South Korea beat Germany 2–0 — and sent Mexico through to the Round of 16. Thousands of euphoric Mexican fans converged on the Korean Embassy to say thank you. Juan, then chief senior advisor, gave the newly arrived Ambassador one recommendation: go out and celebrate with them.
Minutes later the Ambassador was being carried on fans' shoulders, tequila in hand, adopted on the spot as an honorary Mexican. The moment went viral around the world and became one of the warmest public-diplomacy wins in Korea–Mexico history.
Some agreements are signed in offices. Others are sealed on shoulders, with tequila.
Expertise & Languages
Core Expertise
- Government & Corporate Affairs
- Regulatory & Legislative Affairs
- Economic & Competitive Intelligence
- International Trade & Investment
- Bilateral Diplomacy & Coalition Strategy
- Executive Communications & Reputation Management
Sector Expertise
- Automotive & E-Mobility
- Aerospace & Advanced Materials
- Clean Energy & Infrastructure
- Defense & Security
- Nearshoring & Supply Chains
Languages
- 🇲🇽Spanish (Native)
- 🇺🇸English (Bilingual)
- 🇫🇷French (Professional)
- 🇨🇳Chinese (Limited Working)
Education
Master's Degree in Strategy & Economic Intelligence
Middle Eastern Studies (Honors)
Bachelor's Degree in Business Management (Honors)
Bachelor's Degree in International Affairs (Honors)
Publications
Honors & Awards
Most Inspiring Professor
Magna Cum Laude in International Affairs
CONACYT Scholarship for International Postgraduate Students