Fernando Padilla has joined CSA Group as Vice President of Business Development for the Program and Project Management Business Unit in the San Juan office. CSA recognized Fernando’s facile ability as a business leader to work collaboratively and bring creative solutions that deliver results. He will merge his strategic business acumen, outstanding program and results-oriented instincts, and mission-centered focus to ensure CSA acquires and maintain a diverse portfolio of clients. Padilla’s hiring is integral to the company’s plans to expand and increase its brand in the program management and construction management business unit.
A graduate of the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez Campus, Padilla received a BSBA and MBA with a concentration in Finance. As the Business Development Vice President of the Program and Project Management Business Unit, he is a key decision-maker responsible for the overall development and management of the business unit charged with managing CSA’s growing client base, increasing profits, and successfully planning and implementing strategic growth initiatives.
Padilla has an impressive and diverse background in program management, project development, and complex financial transactions across the infrastructure and energy industries. He joined CSA from Horne, where he was a program manager on a federally funded program working on the design and deployment of the Investment Portfolio for Growth (IPG) under the Community Development Block Grant to secure mitigation infrastructure funding for the private sector.
CSA’s new Business Development Vice President of the Program and Project Management Unit has worked with several high-profile consulting firms, in addition to Government Executives and Federal Government Stakeholders, around the island during the financial restructuring and infrastructure reconstruction in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and the 2020 earthquakes.
In 2021, Padilla, while Deputy Executive Director for the Puerto Rico Energy Power Authority, led the strategic development and execution of the 10-year infrastructure revitalization plan of the Puerto Rico Electrical System, which was required for the $10.5 billion allocation from FEMA. Additionally, he successfully implemented an Enterprise Project Management system with over 90 operation and maintenance projects for the Power Plant Generation assets and over 40 federally funded projects.
During the PREPA financial recovery and utility turnaround, Padilla led the establishment of the PMO as required by the Certified Fiscal Plan by building an organizational structure that grew from 3 employees to over 50 and managing a portfolio of over 15 advisory firms. He directed the implementation of processes and procedures, quality controls, and knowledge management and implemented Fiscal Oversight Agreements for distressed Puerto Rico Public Corporations to improve financial, liquidity, and operational performance as well as to reduce GDB credit risk exposure.
Throughout his career, Padilla held multiple cross-functional and leadership roles in the public and private sectors. These include the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico, Honeywell Aerospace, and Banco Popular.
Mr. Padilla chose to work with CSA because “CSA holds a strong commitment to the reconstruction of Puerto Rico and its infrastructure. It is fascinating to work alongside architects and engineers who can envision solutions to complex challenges.” He plans to help build teams and business opportunities within the complex frameworks that govern most infrastructure business transactions in the markets CSA serves.
Padilla is a wine and cigar aficionado, who enjoys art exhibitions and symphony concerts. In his free time, he enjoys listening to business and health podcasts and is an avid fan of professional sports—especially his favorite teams the Brooklyn Nets, New York Mets, and Real Madrid.