Aruba’s government has officially appointed Michel Janssen as a member of the Supervisory Board (Raad van Commissarissen) of the Aruba Agri Development Company N.V. (AADC), marking a concrete step in the implementation of Corporate Governance principles under the AVP-Futuro governance program for 2025–2028.
The appointment was formalized by Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs, and Primary Sector, Geoffrey B. Wever, and represents a significant milestone in strengthening institutional oversight within Aruba’s primary sector. The process followed a structured and transparent trajectory that began in September 2025, when the official profile description for the RvC position was approved ahead of the formal implementation of the Corporate Governance Code.
Following the approved profile, the vacancy was published in local media, attracting 23 applications from professionals with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. The Corporate Governance Implementation Team conducted a thorough and independent evaluation of all candidates, ultimately presenting a formal recommendation of three finalists to the minister for final consideration and approval.
After careful evaluation, taking into account the strategic needs of AADC and the company’s long-term objectives, Michel Janssen was selected for the role. Janssen holds an MBA and brings extensive financial experience at the senior level, having served as Division Manager Finance at WEB Aruba N.V. since 2024. Prior to this position, he held the role of Head of Financial Planning and Analysis, building a strong track record in both local and international financial management environments over the course of his career.
“Good Governance is not an abstract concept. It is a concrete commitment to transparency, professionalism, and accountability. The process that led to the appointment of Mr. Janssen is a clear example of how the Government applies Corporate Governance principles in practice,” Minister Wever stated during the announcement.
Aruba Agri Development Company, established in March 2024, serves as a key instrument for stimulating Aruba’s primary sector and advancing food security on the island. The company’s mandate includes developing an Agrifund to support agricultural investments, strengthening agricultural entrepreneurship among local farmers, and creating an Agri Innovation Park designed to modernize the island’s food production capabilities and reduce dependency on imported goods.
With Janssen’s appointment, the government consolidates the supervisory structure of AADC, ensuring that the Supervisory Board possesses the financial expertise and strategic capacity necessary to guide the sustainable development of the company. The appointment also signals a broader commitment to the continued professionalization of state-owned enterprises across Aruba.
“Our primary sector is a national priority. To achieve sustainable growth and economic diversification, we need strong institutional structures. With the appointment of Mr. Janssen, we are strengthening not just a person in a position, but the management of a fundamental instrument for Aruba’s economic future,” Minister Wever added.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the Corporate Governance Code across all public enterprises. The goal is to build a resilient, professional public sector focused on delivering concrete results for the benefit of all citizens of Aruba, ensuring that state-owned companies operate with the highest standards of governance and accountability.
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