For 1,775 days, Jose Pereira, former CEO of Citgo Petroleum, endured wrongful imprisonment in Venezuela due solely to his American citizenship. This harrowing ordeal, detailed in his poignant memoir, From Hero to Villain: My True Story of the Citgo6, transformed him from a successful executive into a symbol of unwavering resilience.
While enduring unimaginable hardship, Pereira smuggled letters to his wife, which later became the cornerstone of his powerful narrative. Today, Pereira leverages his unique perspective – a blend of C-suite leadership and the profound trauma of hostage captivity – to guide others. He coaches C-suite executives and entrepreneurs on navigating adversity, cultivating inner strength, and achieving a harmonious balance between professional success and personal fulfillment.
As an acclaimed speaker, Pereira has captivated audiences at prestigious venues like TAG Talks at Marriott Dallas and the Global Speaker Summit, inspiring them with his lessons on resilience, faith, and the enduring power of the human spirit. His journey, deeply rooted in an unwavering faith in God, provides a powerful testament to the human capacity to overcome even the most daunting obstacles. Recently, Pereira shared his invaluable insights on helping individuals and families heal from the trauma of hostage experiences during a compelling interview on Houston City Beat's "Let's Talk" segment.
Find Jose on the Houston Business Beat.