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Who's who: Ernesto Unanue
Though the prospect of a university education is what first brought him to the United States and economic and political struggles in his native Argentina kept him here initially, Ernesto Unanue can't imagine leaving his adopted country and the job he loves, as managing director of Latin America for Diebold.
August 4, 2002
Though the prospect of a university education is what first brought him to the United States and economic and political struggles in his native Argentina kept him here initially, Ernesto Unanue can't imagine leaving his adopted country after marrying an American and finding a job he loves.
"(The United States) is my country now," said Unanue, Diebold's managing director of Latin America.
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Ernesto Unanue |
After receiving a degree in industrial engineering from the University of Houston in 1966, Unanue took a job at Rexnord Corporation in Milwaukee, Wis. Unanue likened the manufacturing company's intensive management training program to a miniature MBA program, with courses in finance, engineering, marketing and more.
After a few years with Rexnord, Unanue accepted a position with Alvey Manufacturing Co. in St. Louis, helping oversee the company's Latin American sales efforts. He worked for Alvey until 1972, when he answered a Wall Street Journal ad placed by Diebold.
"I had no idea who Diebold was," Unanue said, adding that he believes his lack of knowledge worked in his favor because it gave him a more objective perspective of the notably insular ATM industry.
Unanue said he feels fortunate to have entered the business in the early '70s, when the ATM began losing its novelty status and moving into the mainstream. "In a sense, I grew up with it," he said.
Unanue assisted with Diebold's sales and marketing efforts in Latin America, and in 1997 was named corporate vice president and managing director, Latin America, responsible for the North Canton, Ohio-based manufacturer's operations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, including several joint ventures, subsidiaries and distribution channels.
Under Unanue's watch, Latin America has become one of Diebold's key markets. Don Eagon, Diebold's vice president of global communication and investor relations, said, "Things look a lot different there than they did 12 years ago. While Mexico was always a good market for Diebold, (Unanue) really helped build the brand in places like Argentina and Venezuela."
Ernesto Unanue Corporate Vice President, Managing Director, Latin America for Diebold |
Unanue helped engineer the 1999 acquisition of Procomp Amazonia Industria Electronica, a Brazilian manufacturer of banking and retail automation equipment. Procomp earned Diebold its largest single deal in history with a January 2000 contract valued at $105.5 million to sell nearly 187,000 voting terminals and related software and service to the Brazilian government.
Though Diebold had a longstanding relationship as an OEM partner with Procomp, Unanue said the integration of the companies was a challenge.
"It was like a marriage in some ways," he said. "You can date for many, many years, but when you move under the same roof, some adjustments are required."
Unanue should know. He's been married to Elaine for 34 years. The secret to a long and happy marriage, he said, is flexibility. "You have to be willing to meet halfway, or sometimes even three-quarters of the way."
Unanue sees many opportunities for growth for Diebold in Latin America beyond ATM sales, including Internet access kiosks, bill payment kiosks, advanced security systems and outsourced services such as network monitoring.
Thomas Lindheimer, who has known Unanue for more than 40 years, said his friend is a skilled negotiator who generally gets a good deal without compromising others.
"He can be very tough, but is also soft when it comes to people," Lindheimer said. "If it's possible, he always goes for a situation that will be a win-win for everyone involved."
Indeed, Eagon said, Unanue is surprisingly soft spoken. "When he does say something, his coworkers really listen, because he's not one to go on and on for no reason."
In 1985, Unanue moved from North Canton to Tampa, Fla., a climate he found much more to his liking than northern Ohio. "Going up north was not thrilling for me," he said. "Those winters."
The Florida weather allows him to indulge in a favorite hobby, sailing. On weekends when he's able, he takes out his boat Muneca (translation: Doll).
In 1990, he purchased Sycamore Hills, a 135-acre "gentleman's ranch" where he raises some cattle and rides his horses. Unanue said the ranch is his "retreat," a place for him to leave behind the stresses of an often demanding job.
It's also the fulfillment of a childhood dream. A city kid who grew up in bustling Buenos Aires, he said, "I've always loved animals, and we couldn't have animals in the city. It was always a treat for me to go to the country."
"If you can't get him at the office or at home, you know where he is," Eagon said. "I think anybody with a high-pressure job has to have a place to get away and refresh their brain."
While Unanue agrees that his job has its pressures, it's one he wouldn't trade. "I've always looked forward to coming to work. The day I don't feel that way is the day I will find something else to do," he said.
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