José Pereira

CEO and founder

, JoseConnect.com LLC

Houston Chapter

José Pereira is the CEO and founder of JoseConnect.com LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to helping C-suite executives and business leaders regain balance between professional success and personal fulfillment. With over 35 years of leadership experience, including serving as the former CEO of CITGO Petroleum, José has led multinational ventures and navigated high-stakes challenges at the executive level.

His life took a dramatic turn when he was taken hostage in a foreign country, enduring nearly five years of captivity. During this dark period, his faith in God became his anchor, shaping his resilience and redefining his purpose. Today, José uses his experiences to empower others, guiding leaders to cultivate resilience, lead with empathy, and thrive in both their professional and personal lives.

José is also an international speaker, leadership coach, and resilience expert who has shared his powerful journey on global stages and podcasts worldwide. His book, From Hero to Villain – My True Story of the CITGO6, is an international bestseller, offering lessons on faith, resilience, and personal transformation.

A vocal advocate for the hostage community, José raises awareness about hostage diplomacy and supports families affected by it. Through his work at JoseConnect.com LLC and his inspiring speeches, he helps leaders and organizations embrace purpose, balance, and unshakable resilience.