Retegui Ayastuy, Javier

Javier Retegui Ayastuy (1937, Bergara) studied at the Vocational Training Centre in Bergara. At the age of 17 he started his first job at the Unión Cerrajera in Bergara while studying industrial engineering at Mondragón Polytechnic College. He obtained his degree at the School of Industrial Engineers in San Sebastián and went on to study Economics and Engineering. On finishing his professional training, he started working at Mondragón Polytechnic College as a lecturer and, a year later, was appointed as director; a position he held from 1962 to 1975.

In 1975 he headed the HEZIBIDE ELKARTEA, collaborating in the creation of university colleges in the Upper Deba area and coordinating the valley's education system. That same year, he took on the presidency of IKERLAN Research Centre.

Javier Retegui has been managing director of LKS, a consultancy and engineering company; president of AUDILAN, an auditing company, and Manager of the Business Division of Caja Laboral Popular.

Between 1991 and 1992, he was the CEO and managing director of SPRI, a Group Promoting Industrial Reconversion.

Throughout 1979 he collaborated with the Pre-autonomous Basque Government's Department of Education and went on to occupy different positions within the Basque Government: deputy minister for Education (1979-1982); deputy minister of Industry and Energy (1992); and minister of Industry, Agriculture and Fisheries (1995-1998).

Between 1999 and 2002, he combined the positions of head of the Technological Development and Quality Department at the Mondragón Cooperative Corporation and Lord Rector of Mondragon University.

Javier Retegui Ayastuy was president of the Eusko Ikaskuntza, 2002-2008 and is now Honorary President.

Interview with Euskonews