Hernán Jesús Garrido Lecca Montañez (born 18 May 1960) is a Peruvian economist, writer, producer, inventor, and politician. A popular children's literature author in Peru, he is most recognized by his work Pirates in Callao, which was adapted into the first CGI motion picture in Peruvian cinematography.
Garrido Lecca’s interest in literature led him to complete the master's program in Peruvian and Latin American Literature at the National University of San Marcos. Additionally, he holds the rank of reserve major of the Peruvian Army, and is also a private pilot.[1]
Inventing career
Interested in invention, Garrido Lecca won the first prize in the National Inventors' Contest for “Original Ice Bucket 1 x 1” in 1996 and the Gold Medal at the XXV International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva for the same invention in 1997.[2] He has 11 patents, one of them registered and licensed in the United States for the ice bucket.[3]
In addition, Garrido Lecca founded and has presided over the Peruvian Society of Inventors, and often ranks among the top ten Peruvian inventors with a large number of patents.[4]
Political career
After working in radio and television journalism in different media for more during the 1990s and publishing books in the fields of economics, science and technology, and consumer advocacy, Garrido Lecca entered politics by running for the Peruvian Congress at the 2001 general election with Union for Peru.[5] Although not elected, he was recruited in the Peruvian Aprista Party as an advisor to former president Alan García. He was subsequently appointed as campaign manager for García’s successful presidential run for the 2006 general election.[6]
Garrido Lecca resigned on 14 October 2008, amid the 2008 oil scandal, which led president Alan García to sack his entire cabinet led by Jorge del Castillo. Mentioned in one of the audio tapes between the protagonists of the scandal, Garrido Lecca was called as a witness throughout the investigations in which he recognized having met with Dominican businessman Fortunato Canaan at some point before the scandal erupted.[7]