Paulo Alonso holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Rio de Janeiro State University in 1976, a MBA Executive degree from COPPEAD–Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in 1995, a short MBA in Innovation and Supply Chain from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology – MIT in 2010 and M.Sc and Ph.D. degrees in Production Engineering from COPPE-UFRJ, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in the period 2000-2004.

He worked for PETROBRAS for 41 years and in the course of his career has occupied important management positions namely the Head of Equipment Technology Division in the Refining Department, Head of the Pioneering Equipment Construction and New Suppliers Development Division and Head of Registering Division in the Procurement Department, Executive Director of the Natural Gas Technology Center, General Manager for Natural Gas Technological and Investment Projects. In the last six years of his career, he served as Technical Advisor to the President.

During his 10 years in the Procurement Department he developed an expertise in Local Content issues and provided many studies about the capabilities and skills of the Brazilian Industry.

He authored many technical articles on energy policy international journals and recently co authored a book on the capabilities of the Brazilian marine industry.

In 2012 he was nominated Executive Coordinator of PROMINP the Brazilian Government Program aimed to fostering Local Content and the development of local equipment suppliers and service providers.

He is also an Associate Professor at the Engineering School of the Rio de Janeiro State University and a Contributor Professor in the Masters and Ph.D. Courses in Production Engineering at COPPE-UFRJ.