Editorial Office ANNnews
1 June 2026
There are careers that reflect not only a person’s own development, but also the transformation of an organisation. This is the case of Juan Carlos Montes Puerto, who this year marks 25 years at Aernnova after having spent his entire career in different companies within the Group and recently taking on a new professional challenge: moving from the Quality department to lead Production at Aernnova Composites Illescas.
His story began in late 2000, fresh from university and just 25 years old, when he joined MOASA (now Aernnova Aeroestructuras Álava, following the merger of Mosa and Fuasa) to begin a journey deeply linked to the aeronautical sector, an industry he had been passionate about since childhood.
“At MOASA, I had the opportunity to really start getting to know the world of aeronautics, a field I had always wanted to work in”
After nearly five years in this initial phase, his career continued at ICSA (Toledo), where he remained for thirteen years. He started there as a Quality Engineer and, subsequently, in October 2014, took up the role of Head of the Quality Department. This was a key step in a career marked by steady progression within the Quality function.
This journey continued in January 2019 with his move to Aernnova Composites Illescas, once again as head of the Quality Department. However, after almost 25 years in this role, a new professional challenge arose in September 2025: taking on responsibility for Production at the factory.
ANNnews: How important is collaboration between Quality and Production in a sector as demanding as the aerospace industry?
Juan Carlos: As I understand the industry, that classic division between ‘production and quality’ has long since been left behind. Close collaboration between these two functions is undoubtedly essential to ensure that set objectives are achieved. And, in my opinion, it must be based on pillars such as integrity, communication, trust, etc., so that we can work as a true team, even though each member must continue to maintain the necessary independence to perform their role in the most appropriate way.
But collaboration cannot be limited solely to these two functions; close cooperation between all the functions that make up the company is also essential for the proper running of the business.
With Borja Pérez – Head of Engineering Aernnova Composites Illescas
ANNnews: What has been the biggest challenge during this operational transition?
Juan Carlos: Rather than tackling a specific challenge, I would say that the main challenge during this transition has been ‘changing my perspective’. Moving from Quality Engineering to Production has meant adopting an even broader outlook, combining the technical and quality expertise that is part of my professional DNA with the knowledge needed to meet production targets.
In any case, I must admit that the transition, whilst not easy, has been somewhat simpler than I had anticipated.
Regardless of the role, as an organisation we seek to achieve strategic objectives relating to safety, quality, meeting deadlines and cost efficiency.
And if you try to approach them with an open mind, the perspective from one role or another does not differ all that much. I believe that has helped me with the change.
ANNnews: Do you think that having worked in different areas gives you a more comprehensive understanding of the business?
Juan Carlos: I believe that the ‘quality’ role in itself provides a fairly broad view of the organisation, as it requires you to have a thorough understanding of the company’s processes, as well as the responsibilities of each role, and this is evident, for example, when conducting or supporting audits. But it is true that my experience in Production is allowing me to complement that view with a more ‘operational’ perspective, gaining an even better understanding of the day-to-day reality on the shop floor, the need for proper management of priorities and incidents, and the importance of agility in making certain decisions.
So, yes, without a doubt, at least as far as I’m concerned, I believe that combination has helped me develop a broader and more balanced view of both Aernnova and the sector.
ANNnews: What keeps you motivated every day in an industry as demanding as the aerospace sector?
Juan Carlos: The chance to continue fulfilling that childhood dream of working in “aircraft manufacturing”. I seem to recall that it is Confucius who quoted, “Choose a Job You Love, and You Will Never Have To Work a Day in Your Life”. Without going quite that far, I believe that is the key: enjoying every day spent “building aircrafts”, even if there are difficult moments from time to time.
ANNnews: What makes you proud to be part of this industrial project?
Juan Carlos: All the values we share as an organisation—safety, quality, the search of excellence, diversity, zero tolerance…—are deeply rooted in Aernnova’s culture and, honestly, they give me a real sense of belonging to a shared project with which I identify.
But, without a doubt, what makes me feel most proud to be part of Aernnova is what I see as Aernnova’s greatest asset: its people.
