João Leite de Bettencourt (21 August 1916, Nossa Senhora do Rosário - 12 March 1973, Nossa Senhora do Rosário) was a chemist, industrialist and politician from the island of São Miguel in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores, important for his role in local government and modernization/expansion of the Fábrica de Cerâmica Lima.
[1] Following his time on the continent he returned to São Miguel to begin his professional career, working from the Fabrica de Lactincínios Loreto.
[1] Around the same time, he began to become involved in local politics, joining the municipal council of Lagoa as their Vice-President, during the mandate of Eng.
[1] Sometime during this period he had time to travel to Barcelona, to begin a short internship in the area of fermentation, in order to improve his chemical background.
[1][2] His administration saw the expansion of the business, with 400 types of ceramics in various colours (in addition to the traditional white-and-blue), which they sold in their shops in Alminhas (Lagoa) and Rua dos Mercadores.