- John Villamil-Casanova , President
- Carlos Mercader, Vice President
- Pedro Diaz, Treasurer
- Heidi Hernandez, Secretary
- Pablo Jimenez
- Antonio Longo
- David Holmes
- Yseth Laboy-Calimano
- Jacob Lozada
- Lara Rivera-López
- Alida Rodríguez
- José Rodríguez-Pagán
Board Members Bios
John Villamil-Casanova is the Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) of ASPIRA Association, Inc. With over thirty five years experience in the Education Industry, Mr. Villamil-Casanova specializes in the development, management, and implementation of information technology programs and strategies. Working in both the private and public sectors, Mr. Villamil-Casanova has extensive experience in program management, organizational development, computer networking, software implementation, fund raising, campus administration, staff/professional development, marketing plan creation, academic program supervision, business development, policy development, documentation, research, quality assurance, curriculum delivery and development, web site creation, and educational material publishing. Mr. Villamil-Casanova is also an internationally known expert in the area of community informatics and author of several textbooks in information technology.
Dr. Antonio M. Longo is a physician and a native of Puerto Rico. He has resided and practiced in Virginia during the last 40 years. He was President of Pulmonary Internists, Ltd, and served as Medical Director of Circle Terrace Hospital. He subsequently worked for Genesis Elder Care and directed their office medical laboratory in Alexandria, VA. A graduate of Georgetown Medical School, he was a Fellow of the University Hospital of San Diego and Georgetown University Hospital. He served on the Medical Society of Virginia Board of Directors representing the 8th District. He presided the Alexandria Medical Society and was Chief of Medicine at National Orthopedic Hospital in Arlington, VA.
Lara Rivera-López is a Principal Consultant with CSC's Federal Consulting Practice/Strategy Services Group. Lara brings extensive functional experience in HR development, training and organizational change management, BPR and project management. Prior to CSC, Lara worked with various companies in the private and public sector (Department of State, Litton PRC, OPM, Accenture) providing professional services in various disciplines developing solutions to meet client needs with a unique combination of expertise in business solutions and language skills. She is the Chair and founder of the CSC Hispanic Network and is also actively involved in the company’s Corporate Responsibility Council, the NPS Diversity Council, and the University Programs. In her spare time, Lara is actively involved in community serving organizations. She is on the Board of Directors of the Association of University of Puerto Rico Alumni and Friends Abroad (UPRAA) as the Scholarship Programs and Cultural Events Programs Chair and actively part of the WIT Workforce Development Committee. She also belongs and supports the ASTD Diversity SIG, HACU Alumni Association, and HCF Mentorship Program.
Dr. Jacobo Lozada is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, where he was awarded a B.A. Degree in Science and a Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. In addition, he holds a M.A. degree in Health Administration from Baylor University and a Ph.D. in Education from Walden University. The United States Senate unanimously confirmed, Dr. Lozada on May 24, 2001, following his nomination by the President of the United States to be Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Subsequent to his assignment at VA, he served as Senior Advisor for Diversity Strategies at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and as independent consultant. Dr. Lozada has over 30 years of senior and executive level experience in the U.S. government, not-for-profit, and private sectors. During his military career, he occupied numerous key positions in leadership, administration, and senior healthcare management. After a successful career in the Army Medical Department (retiring with the rank of Colonel), he served as Principal in the Global Healthcare Practice of Booz·Allen & Hamilton and Managing Consultant for Electronic Data Systems (EDS). Dr. Lozada is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives; Adjunct Assistant Professor at The George Washington University; former President of the Association of University of Puerto Rico Alumni and Friends Abroad; Principal of the Council for Excellence in Government; Member of the National Board of Directors of AARP; Member of the Board of Directors of the VA-National Medical Music Group and Member of the Supervisory Committee of the Andrews Federal Credit Union. At AARP, he serves on the Board of AARP Services, Inc. (ASI); Audit and Finance Committee of ASI; and Audit and Finance Committee of AARP. In 2001, Hispanic Business Magazine profiled Dr. Lozada as one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics and the National Journal (the weekly on politics and government) also profiled him as one of Washington’s Decision Makers.
Mr. José Rodriguez-Pagan is the Founder and CEO of Drevill Holdings, an international holding company with investments and/or ownership interests in a conglomerate of rapidly growing corporate entities representing the communications, technology, sales, distribution, commercial real estate, management consulting and advertising industries. José is a founder of Comunicad, a US based Integrated Communications Marketing, Communications and Advertising firm with focus on ethnic and premium markets. Under the Drevill Holdings umbrella, Mr. Rodriguez is or has been a partner, investor and co-founder of; LatinoMovil, RMR Enterprises, Zoom Marketing Group, VirtualComm, and Opportunity Mobile.
Mr. Rodriguez has served as an advocate and active member of the national Latino community. Through both direct and/or client representation, José has served on the corporate advisory boards of several major national Hispanic organizations including the National Council of La Raza, the League of United Latin American Citizens, Cuban American National Council, Hispanic Internet Summit, as well as on the boards of directors of Language ETC, Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Partnership (Founding Board Member), UPRAA, National Hispanic Baseball Museum, National Puerto Rican Coalition and is the immediate past Vice Chair for the National Latino Children’s Institute. Mr. Rodriguez is also the creator and Co-Founding Board Member, along with Former President of Mexico Vicente Fox, of the Global Business Sustainability Forum (GBSF), a global non-profit whose purpose is to promote socially responsible business practices. Mr. Rodriguez’s success developing working relationships with leaders and stakeholders who provide direct access to US Latino, emerging markets and the technology industry is unparalleled.
José is a seasoned and recognized multicultural marketing, and emergent wireless technologies professional with US / International business consulting experience for corporate, government and prominent nonprofit clients in these areas. In his capacity as Founder and Principal of Drevill Holdings, Mr. Rodriguez is responsible for administering its multiple investments, strategic direction, corporate partnerships, business development and overall operations. With a strong background in technology, advertising, communications and private enterprise, Mr. Rodriguez also serves as a Senior Strategic Advisor to several agencies, startups and established businesses in the areas of cross cultural marketing, corporate social responsibility, business development, market expansion, product development, joint ventures and developing wireless technology initiatives.
José holds a BA from the University of South Florida and a double MBA in International Marketing and Management Global Information Technology from American University. Mr. Rodriguez has completed additional graduate work in Leadership Management through the Gallup Organization’s Executive High Impact Management Curriculum as well as Harvard University’s School of Business / Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility Corporate Governance Program. Mr. Rodriguez is a former US Army Military Police and Signal Corps Officer. José is married, has one daughter and resides in Alexandria, VA.
