Victor M Rivera

Victor M. Rivera has vast experience, many accomplishments, and recognitions for successfully managing economic and business development-related programs at the local, regional, national, and international levels. Also, promoting collaborative relationships and productive teamwork.

After graduating from New York University, majoring in economics, his business and economic development-related experiences include:
• Served as Director, Office of Economic Research at the Puerto Rico Economic Development Administration, Continental Operations Branch, New York. In the late
1960’s Puerto Rico’s Operation Bootstrap was a showcase example of effective, well-coordinated industrial promotion efforts.

• At the New York City Finance Administration, he served for four years as a Deputy Finance Administrator and City Register.

• At the U.S. Small Business Administration, he served as New York District Director and received the District Office of the Year Award. He was also the SBA
Regional Administrator for the six-state Rocky Mountain Region, based in Denver, (awarded the Regional Advocacy Award of the Year); and served four years as
Senior Advocate at the Office of the Chief Counsel for Advocacy; and is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute.

• Victor was a past recipient of the distinguished Arthur S. Flemming Award as "One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men and Women in the Federal Service”.

• He also served as the National Director at the Minority Business Development Agency/U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, DC. He developed the
concept and implemented the establishment of 100 Minority Business Development Centers throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, and the creation of
Minority Enterprise Week (via Presidential Executive Order).

• At the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID), he headed the Latin America and Caribbean Bureau and its 11 mission offices, where he administered a
$1.5 billion budget (position required U.S. Senate confirmation).

• After leaving federal service, the World Bank contracted him to prepare a study, "The World Bank and the Enterprise Development Process."

• After moving to Puerto Rico in 1992, he has served as a consultant to: the Office of the President of the University of Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Industrial
Development Company, the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce, and the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust.