Fernando Aguirre

Fernando Aguirre is an accomplished executive and sports team owner. He is the sole owner and CEO of the Erie SeaWolves, a Double AA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Additionally, he holds the role of second largest owner and Vice-Chairman of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, an Advanced A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Previously, Aguirre also owned a minority position in the Cincinnati Reds.

Aguirre led Chiquita Brands International as Chairman & CEO for nearly 9 years, from 2004 to 2012, during which time the company was a Fortune 500 global entity. Before his tenure at Chiquita, he worked for over 23 years at Procter & Gamble (P&G), taking on various marketing and general management positions in Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and finally in Cincinnati, where he was stationed before joining Chiquita in 2004.

His current roles extend to various significant board memberships including CVS Health, Barry Callebaut, and Synchrony Financial. He has previously served on the boards of notable companies such as Coca-Cola Enterprises, Levi Strauss & Co., and Univision Communications. Additionally, he holds a position on the board of Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and the Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics (COLE). Aguirre also contributes to the Advisory Council of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Aguirre's expertise in global business strategy, leadership, and marketing makes him a sought-after public speaker and advisor. He is a member of the YPO since 1991 and has played active roles in various chapters including serving as President of the Mexico City chapter in 1997. He earned a graduate status from the Harvard Business School in 2009 after attending the YPO Harvard President's seminar for ten years.

Originally from Mexico, Aguirre moved to the U.S. on a baseball scholarship at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he earned a business degree in 1980 and was later inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 and the alumni Hall of Fame in 2009. He received an honorary doctoral degree from the same institution in 2012. Aguirre and his family became naturalized U.S. citizens in 2009. He is married and has two sons. In 2010, he became the first Hispanic CEO to appear in the CBS series "Undercover Boss," and in 2011, he received both the Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award from the NFL and recognition as one of the 100 Influentials by Hispanic Business Magazine.