Manuel Ayau

Dr. Manuel F. Ayau was born in Guatemala City, on 27th December, 1925. After diverse studies, he obtained a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University in 1950, an L.H.D. from Hillsdale College in 1973, and an LL.D. from Northwood University in 1994.

Scholarly and Laboral Contributions

His many entrepreneurial activities include that of CEO of “Samboro, S.A.,�? a company dedicated to the production of ceramic tiles; and of directing a group of Guatemalan industrialists for over forty years in the production of industrial gases and hydro-electric energy. Dr. Ayau has also served on the board of directors of several different companies, including IBM in Latin America and the Guatemalan stock market, of which he was founding President.

In 1959 he also founded the Center for Economic and Social Studies (CEES) in Guatemala, to analyze the fundaments and philosophy of free society. In 1972 he was instrumental in founding the Francisco Marroquín University, of which he was the first Rector until 1988.

A member of the Mont Pelerin Society since 1964, he was its President from 1978-80. At the moment, he is on the board of directors of the Liberty Fund in Indianapolis and is also a trustee of the Foundation for Economic Education in New York.

In Guatemala, Dr. Ayau entered politics as a member of congress from 1970-74, and as presidential candidate in the 1990 elections.

Twice he has formed part of the Central Bank council and has been president of two different commercial banks, Vice-President of the National Electrification Institute (INDE), trustee of the Philadelphia Society, and Honorary Member of the engineering society “Tau Beta Pi.�?

Works

Among his most important works are “Como Mejorar el Nivel de Vida,�? “De Robinson a Viernes,�? “El Comercio,�? “La Década Perdida,�? “El Proceso Económico,�? and “No Tenemos que Seguir Siendo Pobres para Siempre.�? He has been published widely in

Guatemala and Latin America, as well as in the USA, including in “Vision,�? “The Wall Street Journal,�? and “The Freeman.�?

References

• http://www.ufm.edu.gt/debate/biografia.htm Translation by Barbara Koose

External links

• The importance of trade, Comparative cost´s law In spanish only
• A new model of the state In Spanish only
• Political ReformIn Spanish only
• Reform of the StateIn Spanish Only.
• ProReforma movementPresentation of the ProReforma Movement, at the University Francisco Marroquín. May, 24th 2007
• newmedia.ufm.edu/ayaufundamentos Basis of economic and philosophic of liberty at the University Francisco Marroquín. March ,1980.