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El líder que conocíamos es distante, pero está interesado en el proyecto.

El líder que conocíamos es distante, pero está interesado en el proyecto.
The leader that we knew is aloof, but he is interested in the project.
From Lesson 230:Adjective meaning changes (ser vs. estar)·Spanish (Latin America)

Questions & Answers about El líder que conocíamos es distante, pero está interesado en el proyecto.

Why does the sentence use es for distante but está for interesado?
This shows how ser describes core characteristics and estar describes states or conditions. Saying es distante tells us his personality is naturally aloof. Using está interesado shows his current state or feeling regarding this specific project, rather than a permanent trait.
Could I use ser with interesado and say es interesado?
You could, but it drastically changes the meaning! This is a classic example of an adjective changing meaning with ser and estar. While está interesado means someone is currently interested in a topic, es interesado describes a selfish or opportunistic person who only does things for personal gain.
Why is the English phrase we knew translated with the imperfect tense conocíamos instead of the preterite conocimos?
The verb conocer translates differently depending on the past tense you choose. The imperfect conocíamos describes the ongoing state of knowing someone over a period of time. If you used the preterite conocimos, it would mean you met him, referring to the specific moment you first crossed paths.
Why do we use en after interesado?
Just like in English where you are interested in something, the Spanish adjective interesado is followed by the preposition en to introduce the thing that is catching someone's attention.

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