Graduate, Pontifícia Universidade Católica, Minas Gerais; Master's in Political Science, Federal University of Minas (UFMG). Co-Founder, Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT). Former: Professor, UFMG; Vice-President, Association of Professors of Belo Horizonte; President, Regional Council of the economy of Minas Gerais; Director, Union of Economists Mineiro. 1993-96, Secretary of Finance; 1996, Secretary of Government, planning and overall coordination in the first term of Célio de Castro. 2000, Deputy Mayor of Célio de Castro, and from April 2003, Mayor. 2005-08, Mayor of Belo Horizonte; tenure marked by major investments in urban areas and social, serving more than 1.7 million people and promoting structural changes in the capital of Minas. 2011, appointed Minister of State for Development, Industry and Foreign Trade (MDIC), works to strengthen the national industry, giving it an innovative character and making it increasingly competitive. Recipient of awards and honours, including: eighth best Mayor in the world - the only South American in the top ten list - Worldmayor.