NextGens to Watch 2024: Alejandro Fernández Rivera

Family Business Magazine's NextGens to Watch Class of 2024 consists of 22 standout rising-generation members who are making a difference in their family enterprises.


ALEJANDRO FERNÁNDEZ RIVERA, 31
Second generation
Grupo Rosul, Villa Nueva, Guatemala

Alejandro Fernández currently serves as the director of operations at Grupo Rosul, a real estate and construction business founded by his father, Leonel Fernández, 25 years ago. He oversees procurement, construction and machinery operations for the group, managing a team of over 70 individuals. 

Alejandro earned a degree in construction management from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. While pursuing his studies, he worked at a flooring company in Boston and at a real estate company in Las Vegas through a co-op program.

After graduation, he joined Civitas Capital Group, a Dallas real estate investment firm. “I worked in their construction department, supervising construction of Fairfield Inn Hotels in areas of Texas that drilled for oil,” he says. 

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He then returned to his native Guatemala to join Grupo Rosul, starting as a project manager and rising within the organization to his current role as director of operations.

Beyond his role at Grupo Rosul, Alejandro is a board member of the National Industrial Buildings Association in Guatemala and represents the private sector in discussions with the municipality of Villa Nueva. 

“Alejandro is not only admired by his peers and colleagues for his professional acumen but also respected for his ­kindness and approachable demeanor,” his father says. “He is a natural leader who leads by example and inspires those around him to strive for excellence. His leadership and ­dedication have been instrumental in driving the company forward.”

Alejandro says that out of all his siblings, he was the one who was the most interested in construction and building things. “When I was young, I used to really enjoy Legos and wood figurines that you had to build,” he recalls. His father took the children with him to visit jobsites.

“What truly stands out to me about my job, unlike many others, is that there is an end product aspect when you build something, be it a house or a store,” Alejandro says. “You can actually see and appreciate the fruit of your labors. There is little I enjoy more than the process: from the beginning excitement when you buy a plot of land and start the planning process; building it, and putting a lot of attention to detail and effort into ensuring you can give your client the best product possible; to the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when it's finished. 

“Sometimes you get lucky and your clients are first-time homeowners, maybe a newlywed couple with a newborn child that will call the apartment or house you developed their home. It's truly emotional, given the situation that most people in Guatemala have to overcome to be able to accomplish this.”

About the Author(s)

Barbara Spector

Barbara Spector is Family Business Magazine's editor-at-large.


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