Fernando Conte. New Iberia president

Fernando Conte, who until very recently served as independent counselor for Iberia and executive deputy president f the Asea Brown Boven Group in Spain (ABB), will be Iberia’s new president as soon as Xavier de Irala steps down at the helm of the airline’s front office on June 12.

Mr. Irala, who spent seven years as CEO of the Spain-based carrier, had signaled his intention to resign in order to launch into new corporate plans of his own, according to a press note handed over by Iberia’s management.

Fernando Conte Garcia, 53, is a member of Iberia’s board of directors since March 31, 2001. Mr. Conte is an industrial engineer graduated from ICAI and MBA, both in Madrid. He’s currently serving as independent counselor for Amadeus. Since 1974, he’s been professionally linked to the ABB Group, first in ASEA, S.A. in Spain, and later on in Central America and Venezuela as regional and division director respectively until 1984.