The Association of Tanners of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (AICSul) in Brazil has elected a new board of directors. Francisco Gomes has been named president of the association, taking over the role from Cezar Müller who occupied the post for several consecutive terms.

Mr Gomes is a leather technician who was director of the Kern-Mattes tannery for 23 years. During his career he has held various roles including president of the Brazilian Association of Leather Technicians and Chemists, vice-president of the Apparel Industry Union of São Leopoldo and director of the Brazilian Association of Footwear Manufacturers. He was also a founder member of the Portão Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Services and director of the Portão Tanners Union.  He currently works as consultant at Curtume Nimo in Montenegro, and he is director of Courofag Industry, Commerce and Representations, of Portão.

The election of the new (AICSul) board also marks the official integration of AICSul with the regional unions of tanners of the state of Rio Grande do Sul whose presidents have now also become AICSul vice presidents. These include Nilvo Fritsch as president of the Institutional Relations Commission, Francisco Stürmer as vice president for Novo Hamburgo, Flávio Krumenauer, as vice president for Portão, Charles Augustin as vice president for Estância Velha, Élio Grisa as vice president for São Leopoldo and Amadeu Fernandes as vice president for Pelotas.

Meanwhile, Paulo Enzweiler was elected vice president for Management and Finance, Gilmar Harth as vice president for Market Relations, and Leogênio Alban was elected as vice president for Strategic Management. Emerson Fuga has been appointed managing director and Jair Krumenauer will now occupy the post of financial director.