Leadership Transition Marks a New Chapter for Orbia Advance Corporation, S.A.B. de C.V.
Orbia Advance Corporation, a global leader in specialty products and sustainable solutions serving infrastructure, agriculture, connectivity and advanced materials markets, has announced a significant leadership transition within its executive team as part of its long-term succession planning and governance framework, confirming that James P. “Jim” Kelly will retire from his role as Chief Financial Officer after nearly five years of dedicated service to the organization, and that Cristian “Cape” Capellino has been appointed as his successor, effective March 15, 2026, ensuring continuity in financial stewardship and reinforcing the company’s commitment to disciplined capital allocation, operational excellence and long-term value creation for shareholders and stakeholders across its global footprint
Jim Kelly’s Tenure Defined by Financial Discipline and Strategic Stability
Since joining the company in 2021, Jim Kelly has played a central role in reinforcing financial rigor and strengthening Orbia’s capital allocation framework during a period marked by global economic volatility, supply chain disruption, inflationary pressures and evolving geopolitical dynamics, and throughout his tenure he worked to ensure the organization maintained a resilient balance sheet, strong liquidity position and disciplined cost management approach while simultaneously supporting growth initiatives aligned with Orbia’s long-term strategy
Kelly’s leadership extended beyond traditional finance oversight, as he enhanced transparency in reporting practices, elevated internal control systems and introduced improved governance standards that increased investor confidence and strengthened relationships with debt holders, equity investors, analysts and global ratings agencies, thereby positioning the company with greater credibility in capital markets and supporting its ability to access funding efficiently under competitive terms
A core element of Kelly’s contribution was his focus on balance sheet strength and cash generation, prioritizing sustainable free cash flow while maintaining strategic flexibility to invest in innovation, operational upgrades and portfolio optimization, and his structured approach to financial planning helped Orbia navigate shifting demand cycles across its diverse business segments while remaining committed to disciplined execution
In addition to financial restructuring and governance enhancements, Kelly advanced the internal capabilities of Orbia’s finance organization, investing in talent development, process modernization and cross-functional integration, ensuring that the finance function served not only as a control center but also as a strategic partner to business units operating in more than 40 countries worldwide
Ensuring a Seamless and Orderly Transition
To preserve operational continuity and safeguard stakeholder confidence, Kelly will remain with the company through mid-year 2026, allowing for a smooth and carefully managed transition period that includes direct collaboration with his successor, structured knowledge transfer, investor communication alignment and coordination with board members and executive leadership teams across global regions, reflecting Orbia’s methodical approach to succession planning
This phased transition underscores the company’s commitment to stability, accountability and proactive governance, ensuring that ongoing strategic initiatives, capital projects and financial transformation programs proceed without disruption while maintaining alignment with Orbia’s performance priorities and long-term objectives
CEO Sameer Bharadwaj Recognizes Kelly’s Impact
Commenting on the transition, Chief Executive Officer Sameer Bharadwaj praised Kelly’s leadership and steady guidance during a transformative phase in Orbia’s corporate evolution, emphasizing that his judgment, integrity and relationship-oriented leadership style strengthened internal collaboration and external trust, particularly during periods of macroeconomic uncertainty and organizational change
Bharadwaj highlighted Kelly’s dedication to building leadership depth within the finance organization, cultivating a pipeline of capable executives prepared to assume broader responsibilities, and noted that this deliberate talent development strategy has positioned the company well for its next chapter of performance, growth and operational excellence
The CEO further expressed gratitude for Kelly’s commitment to the organization and wished him success in his retirement, acknowledging the lasting institutional value created through his efforts in governance reform, capital discipline and financial modernization
Structured Succession Process Leads to Internal Appointment
Following a comprehensive and structured succession process overseen by the Board of Directors, Orbia confirmed the appointment of Cristian “Cape” Capellino as the next Chief Financial Officer, reflecting the company’s preference for internal leadership development and continuity in strategic direction, and demonstrating confidence in Capellino’s deep understanding of the organization’s operations, capital framework and transformation roadmap
Capellino’s appointment becomes effective March 15, 2026, marking the formal beginning of his tenure as CFO while he continues collaborating with Kelly during the transitional overlap period to ensure seamless integration of responsibilities and strategic alignment
Cristian “Cape” Capellino’s Extensive Global Finance Experience
Cristian “Cape” Capellino joined Orbia in 2020 and has since held several senior leadership roles across the company’s global finance organization, including Controllership, Tax, Financial Planning and Analysis and most recently Finance Transformation, where he led initiatives aimed at modernizing financial systems, streamlining reporting processes and strengthening governance frameworks across the company’s multinational operations
As a key member of the finance leadership team, Capellino worked closely with Kelly to enhance financial transparency, enforce disciplined capital allocation standards and implement digital transformation initiatives that improved data accuracy, decision-making speed and cross-border coordination across more than 40 operating countries
His leadership in finance transformation initiatives focused on aligning financial infrastructure with Orbia’s evolving strategic priorities, integrating advanced analytics, automation tools and standardized reporting platforms designed to improve operational efficiency, reduce complexity and enable real-time visibility into performance metrics across business segments
Prior to joining Orbia, Capellino built substantial experience at Tenaris, a NYSE-listed global industrial company known for its operations in the energy and infrastructure sectors, where he held senior finance and business leadership roles that provided exposure to global manufacturing environments, complex supply chains and capital-intensive industrial operations, equipping him with the analytical rigor and operational insight required to guide financial strategy within diversified multinational organizations
Capellino holds a Master of Business Administration from the MIT Sloan School of Management and earned a Public Accountant degree from the National University of Córdoba, combining advanced academic training with more than 23 years of finance leadership experience across industrial and manufacturing sectors
Leadership Vision and Strategic Continuity
CEO Sameer Bharadwaj emphasized that Capellino’s appointment reflects Orbia’s sustained commitment to disciplined execution, operational resilience and long-term value creation, noting that his deep familiarity with the company’s portfolio, capital allocation framework and performance objectives ensures continuity in strategic direction while enabling further modernization of financial systems and processes
Bharadwaj underscored Capellino’s respected standing among global teams, highlighting his collaborative leadership style, analytical expertise and strong command of financial governance practices, all of which align with Orbia’s broader objective of strengthening its global competitiveness and enhancing stakeholder confidence
As Chief Financial Officer, Capellino will oversee Orbia’s global finance organization, including Accounting, Treasury, Financial Planning and Analysis, Tax and Investor Relations, assuming responsibility for safeguarding financial integrity, optimizing capital deployment, maintaining liquidity discipline and sustaining transparent communication with investors and market participants
Positioning Orbia for Its Next Phase of Growth
The leadership transition comes at a time when Orbia continues advancing its long-term strategy centered on sustainable growth, operational efficiency and portfolio optimization, leveraging its diversified business model to address global challenges related to infrastructure modernization, water management, food security, connectivity expansion and advanced materials innovation
With a reinforced balance sheet, strengthened governance framework and modernized financial systems established under Kelly’s tenure, and with Capellino’s forward-looking expertise in transformation and analytics-driven performance management, Orbia enters its next chapter equipped with a stable financial foundation and a leadership team aligned around disciplined execution and value creation
The appointment of Capellino signals continuity rather than disruption, emphasizing the Board’s confidence in internal talent development and its strategic focus on maintaining momentum across operational initiatives while adapting to evolving global market conditions, regulatory landscapes and investor expectations
Through this carefully managed transition, Orbia reaffirms its dedication to sound governance, financial resilience and long-term stakeholder value, demonstrating that leadership succession within the organization is guided by planning, transparency and strategic foresight, ensuring that the company remains well-positioned to navigate dynamic global markets while sustaining growth and delivering consistent performance outcomes in the years ahead.
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