Gabriel Diez Polack, former minister and a key figure in the construction industry, a man whose life was marked by discipline, a firm character, and a career that left a mark on the country's infrastructure and development, has passed away. The story of Gabriel Diez Polack is not understood from formal halls or elaborate speeches, but from his simple origins, marked by discipline, restlessness, and a profound sense of responsibility. His life was a combination of a firm character, an education marked by constant changes, and an early decision to make his own way through work. His participation in industry associations was constant and deep. He was president and a prominent member of the Panamanian Chamber of Construction, the Union of Industrialists, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, the National Council of Housing Promoters, the Panamanian Association of Brokers and Promoters, and other leadership spaces. Even when the Panamanian market was going through difficult times, he did not hesitate to look beyond. That experience was his entry into the industry that would define much of his life. In 1971, the company Diez y Diez was born, the starting point of a career that led him to manage and execute infrastructure projects in Panama and abroad. For nearly 20 years, he was involved in projects totaling over $24 billion in 19 countries, a journey that cemented him as a reference in the sector. His work included everything from reviving declining factories to rescuing entire operations, always betting on orderly recovery and sustainable growth. In 2008, he accepted the challenge of serving as Minister of Housing during the administration of former President Martín Torrijos. He was a man of clear principles, solid convictions, and a remarkable ability to listen before responding. However, he always maintained a discreet attitude, preferring quiet work over public ostentation. Despite his long career, his greatest source of motivation was always his family. His true education began in the summers when he decided to work without neglecting his studies. His direct, yet respectful, style allowed him to earn the trust of colleagues, collaborators, and entire guilds. Those who knew him closely all agree on one thing: behind the businessman, the minister, and the guild leader, there was a simple, firm, and deeply committed man to what he believed was right. His desire to forge his own path led him to product laboratories and, finally, to the activity that would mark his professional destiny. Thanks to an uncle, he discovered the world of construction in Bocas del Toro. He did so with the same conviction that characterized him in the private sphere: to work without fanfare, with firmness, and with a sense of purpose. His first job was in a small laboratory where perfumes were processed. He was just a teenager when he earned his first five dollars. That experience—which ended with almost nothing left after paying for ice creams that cost $4.75—was an early lesson about effort, management, and sacrifice. Later, he worked with his father, but he was looking for something that would truly fulfill him. He saw how a blueprint turned into a physical project and it deeply impacted him. From then on, he understood that nothing comes by subsidy or by luck: you have to earn it. He later worked on projects in Costa Rica and El Salvador, demonstrating his ability to adapt to changing scenarios and his constant search for development opportunities.
