Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
References
Timeline
Generic

CARLOS PLA MORALES

Summary

Strategic finance executive with over 25 years of experience leading financial planning, performance analysis, and operational strategy across the utility and banking sectors. Proven track record in developing and executing financial planning and analysis strategies, aligning operational goals with business objectives, and delivering cost savings through process optimization and digital innovation. I bring a unique advantage as a financial leader who deeply understands the core business operations, enabling me to align financial models, forecasts, and KPIs with real-world utility challenges and opportunities. My work enables executive leadership to make data-driven decisions through timely dashboards, scenario models, and strategic financial insights. I combine operational fluency with financial rigor to drive liquidity, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

Overview

29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director of Revenue Management

LUMA Energy
Puerto Rico
01.2024 - Current
  • Lead enterprise-wide financial strategies across Revenue Protection, Energy Irregularities, and Payment Processing, enabling an average monthly cash flow of $325MM through billing accuracy, automated adjustments, and enhanced reconciliation via CC&B.
  • Spearhead the design and execution of budgeting and forecasting models aligned with utility regulatory requirements and operational goals, including DSO, LEDACY, RORE, and cost-to-serve metrics, driving executive-level financial insight.
  • Supervise cross-functional analysis teams to ensure strategic alignment, financial reporting, and timely performance analytics that support leadership and regulatory obligations.
  • Drive collections forecasting across all customer segments (residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental), incorporating bankruptcy trends and dunning cycles to optimize AR recoverability.
  • Partner with Accounting to improve visibility into AR performance and support more accurate short- and long-term cash flow forecasting.
  • Collaborate daily with Treasury and Finance to reconcile PREPA bank accounts, assess liquidity, and enhance cash availability for operational planning.
  • Lead vendor negotiations and procurement support for contracts with key financial partners (e.g., BPPR, FirstBank, Oriental, Evertec, AMEX, Global Payments), and oversee the ongoing RFP for all digital payment channels.
  • Align digital payment KPIs with OPEX and CAPEX strategies to ensure cost-effective performance and future scalability.
  • Serve as a strategic finance-business liaison, translating operational data into actionable financial strategies that foster collaboration and improve decision-making across departments.
  • Collaborate with Legal and Regulatory to ensure compliance with CELI law and tariff-based reporting requirements.
  • Champion a customer-focused financial planning approach by integrating internal business unit needs with external stakeholder expectations, ensuring prompt resolution of billing and operational concerns.
  • Mentor analysts and operational staff to drive performance, build internal capabilities, and support long-term talent development across the department.
  • Leverage deep expertise in CC&B to enhance liquidity strategies, streamline revenue collection, and strengthen financial controls.

Vice President, Trade Finance

Popular Bank
Florida, NY & NJ
01.2019 - 01.2023
  • Oversaw International Trade Finance operations, managing P&L and budget planning while spearheading risk mitigation strategies across geopolitical markets.
  • Designed and implemented quality control and performance reporting systems for payment operations to mitigate risk.
  • Led team responsible for structuring complex financial transactions while ensuring full compliance with international regulatory frameworks.
  • Served as strategic partner to senior leadership on growth strategy, financial modeling, and product development.
  • Acted as liaison between internal departments and international clients, ensuring satisfaction and timely resolution of cross-border transaction issues.
  • Focused on enhancing both internal service delivery and external customer satisfaction by streamlining operational workflows.
  • Designed and delivered training programs for all staff levels from front-line employees to executive leadership to support department integration and regulatory readiness.

Operations General Manager

Grupo K-Fé, Inc.
Puerto Rico & Florida
01.2009 - 01.2019
  • Developed operational strategies aligned with the company's objectives and implemented these plans to drive efficiency and effectiveness in all operational activities.
  • Prepared, managed, and adhered to the operational budget, including implementing cost control measures to ensure the organization operated within its financial means.
  • Led, managed, and developed the operations team to ensure high performance, including hiring, training, and evaluating performance.
  • Continuously analyzed operational processes and implemented improvements to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve quality.
  • Oversaw the supply chain and logistics operations, including procurement, inventory management, and distribution, to ensure smooth and efficient delivery of products or services.
  • Oversaw the use of technology within operations, including implementing new technologies to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Communicated effectively with other departments, senior management, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and cooperation in achieving the company’s goals.

Senior Manager – Trade Finance & Deposits

Scotiabank of Puerto Rico
01.2005 - 01.2009
  • Led the strategic expansion of Trade Finance Services, Cash Management, and Deposit products for corporate and middle-market clients, directly contributing to revenue growth and product penetration.
  • Developed risk-informed business strategies to drive profitability while ensuring compliance with credit quality standards and competitive pricing models.
  • Supervised and coached a high-performing relationship management team, aligning sales targets with business forecasts and corporate financial objectives.
  • Provided financial product training and mentorship to bank officers across regions, enhancing commercial capabilities and standardizing sales performance.
  • Oversaw the growth of ancillary payment products, integrating pricing strategies and monitoring portfolio performance to align with profitability goals.
  • Collaborated cross-functionally to identify customer needs and deliver tailored financial solutions that balanced client satisfaction with revenue optimization.
  • Reported regularly to senior leadership on business development progress, pipeline metrics, and performance indicators to support enterprise-level planning and strategic decisions.

Manager, Trade Finance & Collections

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
01.1999 - 01.2005
  • Oversaw the issuance, review, and approval of all the trade finance, collections, and payment transactions, ensuring compliance with all the international applicable laws and regulations.
  • Developed and implemented internal controls.
  • Trained bank officers on how to sell the different payment methods for international trade finance.
  • Analyze and prepare the financial budget for both departments.
  • Coordinating, modifying, troubleshooting, implementing interfaces, and administrating the International Services Information System.
  • Identify and negotiate with different vendors to implement the internet platform for customers to issue all the Trade Finance transactions through the bank internet portal.
  • Create and present statistical reports for senior management.

Account Payable/Letters of Credit Clerk

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
01.1997 - 01.1999
  • Processed all payment transactions, following all the applicable regulations for this line of business.
  • Identify discrepancies in any document and ensure accurate payment processing to prevent errors.
  • Process all payment types (negotiation, acceptance, and deferred payments).
  • Record the general ledger accounts for each transaction in the ledger.
  • Implement the payment system for Banco Popular of Puerto Rico for the year 2000.
  • Train subordinate credit clerks in the use of the operating system.

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance

University of Puerto Rico
San Juan, P.R.
01.1998

Skills

  • Financial Planning & Forecasting (OPEX & CAPEX)
  • Regulatory Reporting & Compliance
  • Revenue Protection & Payment Optimization
  • Strategic Cost Management & KPI Development
  • FP&A Team Leadership & Mentorship
  • Budgeting, Forecasting, and Variance Analysis
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration & Project Execution
  • Contract Negotiation with Financial Institutions & Vendors
  • Data Analytics & Executive Dashboard Development
  • Expertise in CC&B for reconciliation and cash flow strategy
  • Fluent bilingual communicator in English and Spanish

Certification

  • ICS 100
  • ICS 200
  • Certified Documentary Credit Specialist (CDCS): Recognized benchmark certification in global trade finance and cross-border transactions.

References

Available upon request

Timeline

Director of Revenue Management

LUMA Energy
01.2024 - Current

Vice President, Trade Finance

Popular Bank
01.2019 - 01.2023

Operations General Manager

Grupo K-Fé, Inc.
01.2009 - 01.2019

Senior Manager – Trade Finance & Deposits

Scotiabank of Puerto Rico
01.2005 - 01.2009

Manager, Trade Finance & Collections

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
01.1999 - 01.2005

Account Payable/Letters of Credit Clerk

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
01.1997 - 01.1999

Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance

University of Puerto Rico

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CARLOS PLA MORALES