President, LAC-American Express, AmCham Mexico
José Maria Zas, PhD is President and Regional Director General for American Express in Mexico, Brazil , Argentina and throughout Latin America, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. He is also responsible for the International Insurance Business.
Jose Maria is responsible for running the business in more than 40 countries and to handle the commercial relationship with more than 60 leader banks, insurance companies and commercial partners.
His current strategic objective is to increase American Express’ leadership in the premium segment through high valued products and services, as well as to develop new businesses targeted to non-traditional consumer segments in order to generate steady and significant growth for American Express International.
Jose Maria started his career with American Express in 1990 and was appointed to his current position in 2010. He previously held other positions such as: President and General Manager Argentina, President and Commercial Director General for Latin America and Canada, and Vice President Human Resources for Latin America.
He graduated with honors in Social Sciences at Universidad Argentina de la Empresa; holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the IAE School of Business, and a PhD in Business Administration by Universidad de Belgrano. Jose Maria has attended several executive programs at Wharton Business School in Pennsylvania and recently participated in three chapters of the CEO’s Global Program in Sao Paulo, Philadelphia and Shanghai.
Jose Maria was professor of Business Administration and Strategic Planning at Universidad Argentina de la Empresa, Universidad de Belgrano and Universidad de Buenos Aires.
He is a member of the Mexican Banking Association, Chair of the Board of Directors of The American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico, of Impulsa (Junior Achievement), member of the Board of the Communication Council of Mexico and Member of the Board of the Executive Global Companies Council.
Jose Maria resides in Mexico, is married and has three children. His hobbies are golf, moto riding, theatre, art and reading.