EDITOR INTERVIEW
In conversation with...
Aldo Govi, President and CEO of Infineum
Tell us a bit about your early years. Where/ when were you born, and what is your family background? I was born in Genoa, a medium sized town in the north-west of Italy by the sea. This has given me a close affinity with water which remains a constant for me. When I lived in New York City it was by the Hudson River and where I live now, in London, I am fortunate enough to see the Grand Union Canal from my window.
My father worked in the Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller and mother worked for a telecommunications company. My younger brother and I were raised in a loving home with strong values and discipline, even though we weren’t wealthy.
What did you want to be growing up? I never aspired to be a CEO or a Marvel superhero for that matter! For me there was no specific role model or career path that I wanted to follow. I excelled in many of my subjects, and to this day, I still enjoy reading. Through school I tried various sports without much passion, but I have always been passionate about cars and motorbikes.
Where did you go to school, and what subjects did you choose and why? While studying at the only affordable local college for me, I was deciding whether to study Chemical Engineering or Law when I received my first piece of advice from my father that put me on my life path: “Son, there are plenty of lawyers in this town; engineers always find jobs.” It’s hard to argue with that simple logic, so I studied Chemical Engineering at Genova University.
What was your path to higher education? I was a fast and successful learner, and my mindset
52 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.184 DECEMBER 2024
has always been geared towards achieving and finishing tasks. So higher education was a path I was always going to take.
What was your first job? What did you like about it and what did you not?
After college and mandatory military service, I joined Exxon Chemicals in the Additives Division. During my last year of college, I spent a few months there as a summer student. Once hired, I started as a Process Engineer on a manufacturing unit. I really enjoyed being part of a team, the sense of urgency that comes with that role, and problem-solving is always rewarding for me. However, the technical focus wasn’t enough, and I knew quite quickly that I wanted more breadth of experience and knowledge.
How has career mapping led to where you are now? My career began with seven years in supply which provided me with skills in problem solving, dedication, teamwork, discipline, and a focus on safety. This was followed by six years in HR, which included global roles and my initial assignment at Infineum HQ, taught me the true essence of leadership and the importance of human capital for any company. This period also toughened me up and allowed me to interact with executives and the CEO.
My assignment in Global Supply Demand and Planning put me back in the middle of key operations, which led to my first executive-level role as Director of Sales for the EMEA region. Over the next six years, I worked in sales and marketing at both regional and global levels, gaining an in-depth understanding of the industry, stakeholders, products, customer needs, and how to create value for both the industry and company.
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