The Panama Canal Board of Directors Appoints Rubén Pérez Pinzón as Temporary Deputy Administrator of the Canal.
Rubén Pérez Pinzón, the current vice president of human resources, will serve as temporary deputy administrator. Pérez Pinzón serves as Vice President of Human Capital and has 35 years of experience at the Panama Canal.
The Board of Directors of the Panama Canal appointed Rubén Gustavo Pérez Pinzón pictured above as temporary deputy administrator of the Canal, effective September 7, 2026, the day on which Ilya Espino de Marotta pictured below takes office as administrator of the Panama Canal, and the position of deputy administrator becomes vacant. Pérez Pinzón will temporarily hold the position until the Board of Directors completes the selection and appointment process for the new deputy administrator, in order to ensure the continuity of the functions and responsibilities of that position.
Currently, Pérez Pinzón pictured below, serves as Vice President of Human Capital and has 35 years of experience at the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) highlighted that Pérez Pinzón has led areas related to recruitment, training, occupational health and safety, talent management, and maritime operations. He has also participated in collective bargaining negotiations and dialogue with labor unions. She has also held the positions of Human Capital Manager and Transit Resources Manager, as well as leadership roles in Maritime Transport and Deck Support. In these roles, she has contributed to generational succession planning and other matters related to the sustainability of the operation.
During an interview in March of this year, Rubén Pérez Pinzón pictured above, highlighted the profile of employees that the Panama Canal is looking for and announced the vacancies that are open at the ACP. He holds a degree in Finance from the Catholic University of Santa María La Antigua. He also holds master’s degrees in Industrial Engineering (University of Louisville) and Business Administration (INCAE Business School). His executive training includes the INCAE Executive Development Program and the Wharton School Executive Education General Management Program (University of Pennsylvania). The decision was adopted through Resolution ACP-JD-RM 26-1665, dated August 26, 2026.
