Josu Jon Imaz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Josu Jon Imaz
Member of the European Parliament for Spain
In office 12 June 1994 – 7 January 1999
Personal details
Born	1963 (age 61–62) Zumarraga, Gipuzkoa, Spain
Political party	Basque Nationalist Party (since 1978)
Alma mater	University of the Basque Country
Profession	Chemist

Josu Jon Imaz San Miguel, born in 1963, is a well-known person from Zumarraga, a town in the Basque Country, Spain. He has worked as a politician, a business leader, and a scientist. He is currently the CEO of Repsol, a big oil and gas company. He also has a special degree called a PhD in Chemical Sciences from the University of the Basque Country.

Mr. Imaz was involved in politics with the Basque Nationalist Party from the early 1990s to the mid-2000s. During this time, he was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), a spokesperson for the Basque government, and even the leader of his political party.

Education and Early Career

Josu Jon Imaz San Miguel earned his PhD in Chemical Sciences from the University of the Basque Country. He studied at the Faculty of Chemical Sciences in San Sebastian and received a special award for his excellent grades. He chose to focus his studies on Polymers, which are materials made of many small units linked together, like plastics.

In 1989 and 1990, he also took a course in Business Management. This training helped him learn how to run businesses effectively. In 1994, he finished his PhD research at the Higher Institute of Industrial Engineering in Bilbao. Earlier, in 1986, he received a grant to train as a researcher in France.

Professional Life

Mr. Imaz started his career in science and industry. From 1987 to 1989, he managed a unit that worked with composites and polymers. He then joined the Mondragón Cooperative Group, helping with industrial development. Later, from 1991 to 1994, he managed the Marketing and External Relations Department at INASMET.

After spending some years in politics, he returned to the world of business. In 2008, he became the president of Petronor, a company that is part of the Repsol group. Petronor is located near Bilbao.

In 2010, he took on a new role at Repsol, leading their New Energies Unit. His job was to find new opportunities and develop projects in areas like bioenergy and renewable energy for transport. By 2012, he became a member of Repsol's main executive team. He was in charge of both the Industrial and New Energies Units. In November 2011, he was also chosen to be the President of the Spanish Association of Petroleum Operators (A.O.P.).

In 2024, Mr. Imaz shared his thoughts on how the European Union's focus on reducing carbon emissions might affect European industries. He suggested that it could make them less competitive compared to industries in other parts of the world.

Political Career

In June 1994, Josu Jon Imaz was elected as an MEP, representing Spain in the European Parliament. He held this important position until January 1999.

After his time as an MEP, he became the Regional Minister of Industry, Trade, and Tourism for the Basque Country's government. In this role, he was also the president of the Basque Energy Entity (EVE) and the Society for Industrial Promotion and Reconversion (SPRI). He also served as the spokesperson for the Basque Regional Government.

In January 2004, he was elected as the chairman of the executive committee for the EAJ-PNV, his political party. In late 2007, he decided not to seek re-election and ended his career in politics.

Awards and Recognitions

In 2006, Josu Jon Imaz received a special award called the Creu de Sant Jordi (St. George Cross). This award was given to him by the Catalan Regional Government to recognize his achievements.

See also

In Spanish: Josu Jon Imaz para niños