An industry that changed the perception of Brazil, influences former and current employees, and remains steadfast in aeronautical revolution and innovation
On August 19, Embraer will celebrate its 56th anniversary. Much is said about Embraer’s technological advances, sales, and achievements in the global aeronautical market. The company recognizes, however, that these achievements were only possible because of the excellence of the thousands of people involved in the entire process; it is a company with soul.
Between the past and the future, some of these people are members of the INVOZ association – Integrating Voices for the Future. What they all have in common is that they have been directly or indirectly impacted by Embraer, whether in their way of life, their profession, or even their own families.
One of the agents in this story spanning more than half a century is Emílio Kazunoli Matsuo, currently president of the INVOZ Deliberative Council. He worked for Embraer for 39 years, starting as an embedded systems development engineer and gradually taking on various responsibilities as a project leader and manager. He led projects in all business units, from the Xingu, KC390, and Embraer 190E2, rising to the position of Vice President of Engineering and Chief Engineer at Embraer. Today, he promotes the exchange of experiences through lectures at events hosted by the Brazilian aviation company and other sectors of the Aerospace Cluster.
“I am very happy to have found people of great personal and professional value at Embraer, from whom I have learned everything. I was also able to contribute to the growth of people and Embraer itself, through the aeronautical culture of excellence, values, and positive, inclusive, constructive, collaborative attitudes, balance, a desire to always evolve, and solid moral values, which have become the Company’s Successful Organizational Culture,” said Emílio.
In another important moment for the company, Manoel de Oliveira, now honorary president of the INVOZ association and managing partner of Sygma Tecnologia, worked for 10 years at Embraer as finance manager and led the team that raised funds and established financial partnerships to enable the development of Embraer’s first commercial jet, the EMB-145. Another historic moment was his coordination and support for Ozires Silva, founder of Embraer, in the company’s privatization process. This was a decisive step for the company to become what it is today on the world stage.
“Embraer had a huge impact on my life as a whole, but in particular through my contact with Ozires Silva, who taught me ‘servant leadership’. This concept was fundamental to the development of Sygma Tecnologia, where I work today, and also to my involvement in social projects,” revealed Manoel.
Legacy: From Father to Daughter
Another entrepreneur whose life was transformed by Embraer was Tadeu Hideki Yoshida, who is currently a partner and owner of 55PRO Consulting, specializing in Business Management, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. He is also an educator and lecturer and is a member of the INVOZ Deliberative Council. He spent 35 years working directly with the company, where he experienced transformations and contributed to its rise. He started in technical areas and gradually advanced to management and leadership positions, focusing on excellence and the pursuit of results, which is the common thread in the history of the aeronautical industry. He played an important role in driving open and disruptive innovation at Embraer, building strategic partnerships with leading institutions such as MIT, ITA, USP, Startups, Accelerators, and Incubators, as well as in corporate quality, the supply chain/Lean Philosophy, and national and international parts suppliers, which promoted an international career.
“Embraer fundamentally shaped my life and career. The 35 years I spent within its gates were a journey of continuous growth, where every challenge became a learning opportunity. I feel immense gratitude for having been part of Embraer’s history. It was a privilege to work alongside brilliant professionals and contribute to building a company that is a source of national pride and a global benchmark. Embraer prepared me for the future, allowing me today, through 55PRO, to continue to multiply this knowledge and positive impact. Currently, my daughter Alessandra Elisa Motta Yoshida works at Embraer as a Lean consultant, making my legacy a reality,” added Tadeu, emotionally.
Foreigners
Embraer changes the lives of Brazilian and foreign professionals. One example is retired employee Spiridon Aziz Araman, who worked at the company between 1977 and 1982 as a Technical Assistant. He speaks proudly of having participated in excellent projects, such as the Bandeirante, Xingu, Tucano, and Brasília.
“Embraer welcomed me when I fled Lebanon to escape the war. It helped me rebuild my professional life. I have always supported Embraer, and I will continue to do so in any situation. I am proud to be part of this history,” emphasized Spiridon.
Preservation of Aerospace Culture
The current executive president of INVOZ, Neide Pereira Pinto, is an architect-urban planner and founding partner of Matiz Arquitetura & Design and Somos Editora. She worked at EMBRAER from August 1981 to April 1996, where she developed, among other projects, the design and implementation of the “Children’s Aerospace Park” at Sesi Ozires Silva in São José dos Campos – CAT, and implemented the EMBRAER Historical Center. From 1996 to 1997, she implemented the Cultural Spaces at the airports managed by INFRAERO, in Guarulhos, Congonhas, Brasília, and Salvador. Today, she is responsible for editing books related to Embraer, Ozires Silva, and Brazilian aeronautics.
“Embraer has always been a dream for me. Since I first came to São José dos Campos, I dreamed of working for the company. Some time later, I got a job at the beginning of my professional career. It was thanks to Embraer that I gained knowledge, professional maturity, and the company I have today. After ending my contract as a permanent employee, I founded Matiz Arquitetura & Design to meet the demands for layout and architectural projects and, later, Somos Editora, with the goal of publishing books about the personalities and history of the aeronautical industry,” said Neide
Ahead of her time: Female Executive
Embraer was not only bold and excellent, but also had room for women in its corporate universe. Izilda de Fatima Victor was a pioneer within the company, occupying various positions as the first woman to do so. Before becoming the CEO responsible for setting up the unit in Évora, Portugal, she held important positions: she was section head, financial manager, financial director, and statutory director of a subsidiary. She started as a credit analyst and sales financing structuring analyst and worked in the commercial, financial, and new business areas.
“Behind each stage came the challenges and the freedom that management gave me to do my job. I started in December 1982, and by July 1983, I was responsible for selecting guests from the finance area for the first flight of the Brasília, a moment of great excitement and pride. The sales campaigns with financing packages were challenging, both for Brasília and for Tucanos in Latin America. In December 1994, I worked on the privatization process, with all the tension and responsibility that entailed. Then came the first flight and the financing campaign for the ERJ-145, financial management, and then the transfer to the board of directors at ELEB. Behind all the responsibility came personal fulfillment.
Embraer gave me experiences and achievements that no other company could have given me. It awakened feelings of self-esteem and pride, and even today, it provides me with financial peace of mind in my retirement, which began in 2012,” commented Izilda.
Many stories from other INVOZ members or former and current Embraer employees converge on this feeling of transformation and positive impacts. Here’s to another 50 years filled with boldness, opportunities, growth, and innovation. From the Bandeirante to the eVTOL “flying car,” may Embraer’s impact continue to be a benchmark for excellence in the aeronautical industry and may the results continue to be prosperous for the company and society.
Embraer preserves its original spirit and follows the thinking of its founder, the visionary Ozires Silva, who repeats and teaches to this day: “The future is not discovered. The future is built.”
Assessoria de Imprensa: Renata Vanzeli 12-997680799. (@solucaotextual).