Early Life
Rubens Ometto Silveira Mello was born in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil, on February 24, 1950. He comes from a wealthy family with a background in sugarcane farming. His father, Rubens Ometto, founded Cosan, a major Brazilian conglomerate. During his childhood, Ometto attended school within the family's sugar mill.
Rise to Success
Ometto's career began in the early 1970s as an intern at Unibanco. He later joined the Votorantim Group as a financial director. In 1981, he took over the family business, Cosan. Under his leadership, Cosan expanded significantly, becoming a global leader in sugar and ethanol production. He played a key role in Cosan's growth, focusing on energy and infrastructure.
Key Business Strategies
Ometto transformed Cosan through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, including a joint venture with Shell, Raízen, in 2011. Raízen is now a major player in the fuel distribution market in Brazil and Argentina. He has also been instrumental in promoting sugarcane ethanol as a renewable fuel. Ometto's strategy includes a focus on operational efficiency and expanding the company's portfolio in renewable energy.
Philanthropy
In 2022, Ometto donated R$4 million to the NGO Gerando Falcões, which focuses on combating hunger and transforming vulnerable communities. He is also known to support the arts and various cultural institutions. In 2024, he was awarded the Ciccillo Matarazzo Prize in Italy, recognizing his contributions to agribusiness and his Italian heritage.