Revista JM

IVAN UTRERA: The Multicultural Ambassador of Brazilian Culture

In the international business corridors, few professionals are able to grasp the cultural essence of their native country and successfully apply it in foreign lands. Ivan Utrera, a Brazilian at heart and soul, is one of those rare individuals. With a solid professional trajectory that began at the age of 14, Utrera has been an unofficial ambassador of Brazilian culture in the United States for 27 years, representing and promoting the richness and diversity of Brazil.

Polyglot and Traveler

With Brazilian and American nationalities, Utrera is a talented polyglot and tireless traveler. Fluent in both Portuguese and English, he also speaks Spanish and possesses basic skills in Italian and French. With a curious and open mind, Utrera has visited over 45 countries for work or leisure, expanding his cultural understanding and global perspective.

Churrasqueiro and Founder of Rodizio

No one could have predicted that Utrera’s passion for Brazilian cuisine would lead to the creation of the first Brazilian churrascaria in the United States. In 1996, Utrera founded a Rodizio Grill in Sandy, Utah. Today, the company has 23 locations, employs over 1,500 people, and serves approximately 2 million customers annually across 14 American states.

Rodizio Grill places great importance on certification, prioritizing the direct importation of equipment, food, and beverages from Brazil. The company’s mission, encapsulated in the phrase “As Ambassadors of Brazil...,” is to promote Brazilian culture and cuisine to the American population.

Senior Marketing Director at PepsiCo

Before founding Rodizio Grill, Utrera built his career at PepsiCo as the Senior Marketing Director, responsible for the Pizza Hut brand in Brazil, Latin America, and the Caribbean. During his tenure from 1991 to 1996, Utrera launched Pizza Hut in Brazil and other countries, opening over 300 stores during that period.

Furthermore, Utrera sponsored various Brazilian talents, including Rubens Barrichello, Pelé, André Ribeiro, Cristian Fittipaldi, and Bruno Carneiro, among others. He also coordinated the opening of the 10,000th Pizza Hut unit worldwide, located in Alphaville, SP.

Academic Background

Utrera began his academic journey at Mackenzie University in São Paulo, where he studied Business Administration from 1981 to 1983. After moving to the United States, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Marketing from Brigham Young University in 1988, and subsequently an MBA from the Marriott School of Management in 1992.

Candidate for Honorary Consul

Currently, Utrera aspires to a new goal: becoming an Honorary Consul of Brazil in the state of Utah, United States.