SBA kicks-off Emerging Leaders training series in P.R.
SBA District Director Yvette T. Collazo
The U. S. Small Business Administration Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands district office recently kicked-off the first ever Emerging Leaders training series on the island and announced the participants selected for the Class of 2015.
“Since first launched in 2008, the Emerging Leaders program has helped [more than] 2,000 small business owners in sustaining and growing their businesses throughout the mainland,” said SBA District Director Yvette T. Collazo.
“Their companies have also shown significant growth, with [more than] 1,940 new full-time employees. We’re very excited to finally bring this premier training series to our district and we hope that it is the first of many, so that we may continue providing small business owners with the tools they need to stimulate and expand their companies,” she said.
The following 20 business owners have been competitively selected for the Emerging Leaders Class of 2015 in the district: Abbelle Bakr, IBCVI & Co.; Alberto Lugo, INVID; Angel Castro, Tomcas Work & Safety Shoes Corp.; Armando Pérez, TSRD; Bryan Ortiz, Novaderm; Carlos Rodríguez, División 16; Diomayra Adorno, ESG, P.R. Inc.; Dionisio Ortiz, Corporate Development Solutions Inc.; Edgar Rosado, Unified Global Solutions; Elithia Vega, APS Automotive & Industrial Supply; Iris Vincent, Prime Air Corp.; Jo Ann Medina, DoorAdo Equipment; Julio C. González, JC González Inc.; Lisa Spickers, Humidity Control Solutions; Luis García, Geo Cim Inc.; Manuel Ortiz, Ortiz Group Engineering; María Levis, Impactivo LLC; Nelson Romeu, Building Fast Cleaning Service Corp.; Walmarie Soler, Verjas Nuevo Milenio Inc.; and William del Pilar, Powercooling & Controls Inc.
All of the companies represent diverse sectors, including construction, manufacturing, retail, service and technology, among others.
Over a period of seven months, participants will work with mentors and develop connections with other business owners and community leaders. Upon graduation, participants will exit the program with a strategic growth plan for their business, developed using the knowledge, skills, and techniques honed in the class. The first class takes place on April 29 at SBA, conducted by instructor Annette Pérez, president of Professional Skills Developers Inc.
Partners pledging their support for the Emerging Leaders initiative this year include Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Federal Contracting Center, Puerto Rico Small Business & Technology Development Center, Puerto Rico Trade & Export Company, Technology Initiative of the Northeast and the Women’s Business Institute.
