He is an industrial engineer from Texas Tech University, where he obtained a master’s degree and a Doctorate (Ph.D.) with emphasis in Operations Research and Quantitative Systems. His research and PhD thesis focused on developing and evaluating quantitative models for scheduling work in systems with characteristics applicable to the Panama Canal.
During his 35-plus years of professional experience, he worked for the Panama Canal. He served as an assistant admeasurer for the former Panama Canal Commission, participated in evaluating proposals for designing and constructing the third set of locks, helped the Panama Canal Authority establish strategic objectives after the expansion, and provided services to evaluate and improve Panama Canal internal processes.
He worked at several of the world’s leading consulting firms, where he led the Strategy and Analytics practice in Spanish-speaking Latin America and served as CEO of the Panama office. Additionally, he was the operations manager of an industrial-commercial group in Panama.
He was President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture of Panama from 2007 to 2008 and served as Vice Minister of Economy from 2000 to 2003.
Mr. Latorraca is a founding partner of ELEMENTE, a planning and analytics, financial advisory, project management, and corporate governance services firm.
He is a member of the Sus Buenos Vecinos Foundation Board of Directors. He was a member of the United Way Panama Board of Directors, as well as of the Panama South Rotary Club.
He took office as a member of the Panama Canal Authority’s Board of Directors on June 20, 2025.
