ADALIO SANCHEZ
PRESIDENT OF S GROUP ADVISORY, BOARD DIRECTOR FOR MITRE CORPORATION
LATINO BOARD DIRECTORS DIALOGUE
He is a 32-year veteran of the IBM Corporation where held various senior executive and global general management roles. Sanchez rose from technical staff engineer to global leadership and strategy roles, developing expertise in strategy, R&D, supply chain operations, and mergers and acquisitions. He was instrumental in developing IBM’s early personal computers and, as head of the IBM ThinkPad business, spearheaded the formation of the Bluetooth industry consortium that made the technology ubiquitous. Sanchez also led the transformation and growth of a several global IBM divisions in the systems, storage, and semiconductors spaces, and oversaw the creation of several of the world’s most powerful supercomputer systems. After IBM, he was senior vice president of Lenovo Group Limited. He sits on the board of ACI Worldwide Inc, a global software company facilitating real-time electronics payments where he chairs the Compensation Committee, and Avnet Inc., a global electronic components and technology solutions sales & distribution company.
Latino Leaders: How did your journey as a
Board Trustee/Director Begin?
Adalio Sanchez: My journey actually began about seven years ago when I got a call from a search firm about a board opportunity at a global software company.
By that point in my career, I was a senior executive at IBM and had successfully operated and transformed several large complex global business divisions. It was the depth and breadth of my business and technical experiences that I suspect made them reach out me.
Latino Leaders: How different/challenging is the role of a Corporate Trustee/Director, as opposed to being a
C-Suite executive?
A.S.: The roles are actually very different.
As a C-suite executive, one is trained to get into the fine details, operate and manage the business, and lead the company to drive shareholder value and stakeholder success. Yet, the role of Director/Trustee is not about operating – but rather to represent the company’s shareholders and stakeholders, as well as provide governance and oversight to company management. Very different roles and activities. Frankly after so many years of being an operator, it took me some time to transition to the role of board director/trustee. The role is equally rewarding, but it is about advising, providing guidance, and helping the company’s management identify issues and opportunities – not managing. The board role is about bringing to bear one’s vast business experience to help the company be successful, while representing the shareholders/ stakeholders in all their actions.
Latino Leaders: Which should be the top priorities for a Corporate Trustee/Director to maximize efficiency and support the Board/Company?
A.S. There are three very critical areas that are the primary focus of board directors/ trustees. They are – strategy, financial performance and integrity, and talent.
The board has to ensure that the strategy of the company is sound and that proper investments are being made to achieve the long-term goals of shareholders and stakeholders. The board also needs to provide oversight to ensure financial commitments are delivered upon and with integrity. Lastly, talent. The board is responsible to ensure the company has the right senior leadership and that it has the proper talent, workplace culture, and compensation plans in place to achieve the strategy and goals of the organization.