Business
CEO of Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando Meets with Business and Political Leaders in Puerto Rico
ORLANDO, Fla – Gaby Ortigoni, President and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando (HCCMO), visited Puerto Rico to continue developing relationships with business and government leaders, as part of their mission to drive economic growth by strengthening Hispanic businesses in Central Florida.
Most of HCCMO efforts with Puerto Rico are focused on the southern region, as the recent earthquakes severely impacted this area in addition to the hurricanes, economic crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanks to the partnerships HCCMO is building with the Cámara de Comercio del Sur de Puerto Rico, Ortigoni met top business and government leaders in San Juan, Ponce, Lajas, and Juana Diaz. She also met with Pedro Zorrilla, CEO at GFR Media and former HCCMO Board Member, with whom HCCMO is also developing alliances to promote the economic relations between Puerto Rico and Central Florida.
Hispanics drive over 30 percent of Central Florida’s economy. Puerto Ricans represent more than 50 percent of this economic force in our region. The multiple daily direct flights from the Orlando International Airport to Puerto Rico, the exodus of hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans to Central Florida over the last three decades, and Central Florida’s fertile ecosystem for small business owners and professionals are some of the key factors that make Central Florida and Puerto Rico strategic business partners.
Salvador F. Rovira, President-Elect, and Jessica Fernandez, Executive Director of the Cámara de Comercio del Sur de Puerto Rico, coordinated strategic meetings to solidify the partnerships between their Chamber and HCCMO. Juan Quiroga, JCQ Services CEO, HCCMO board member; Justin Nickerson, and James Tattersall from Tavistock Development Company, organizers of the Lake Nona Flavors of Puerto Rico in partnership with HCCMO, also visited the Island with HCCMO during this business trip.
Ortigoni also met with prominent political leaders of the island like José Luis Dalmau, President of the Senate of Puerto Rico; Rafael “Tatito” Hernandez, President of the House of Representative of Puerto Rico; Jayson I. Martínez Maldonado, Mayor of the city of Lajas; Luis M. Irizarry Pabón, Mayor of Ponce; Francisco Rodríguez Alier, City Administrator; Jean Paul González, Director of Economic Development; Annette Rodríguez, Esq., Director of Legal Division and Marisaida Morales, Mayor’s Assistant; Anibal Acevedo Vilá, former Governor of Puerto Rico and host of Anibal Podcast; Luis Gierbolini, Esq., President; Cameron McKenzie, President-Elect; and Teresita Santiago, Board Member, Cámara de Comercio de Puerto Rico.
Business and cultural leaders in the meetings included Iván Rodríguez and Yashi Ruiz Bonet, Director and Regional Director of tourism company Porta Caribe; Rodroherick Correa, President, Global Mattress, one of the largest mattress manufacturers in the island with showrooms both there and in Central Florida; Oscar Misla Villalba, Owner/President, and Noris Torres Santiago, Vice-President & CFO, Ciracet Healthcare Innovation Center; Francés Torruella, founder of the Castillo Serrallés Museum; L. Derek Fleming, President, FB Property Group; Fernando J. Rodríguez, President, Prime Janitorial; Abel Misla Villalba, Architect and Vice President, Misla Villalba Engineers & Architects; Silmarie González Orengo y Juan C. Irizarry, owners of Hotel Parguera Plaza and organizers of the Festival de la Piña in La Parguera, Lajas; plastic artist Waded Alvarado, founder of Noches de Galeria in Ponce; and Yassette Rodríguez, General Manager, Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort.
HCCMO will continue the strategic alliance with Puerto Rico with key events and initiatives that will be officially announced later this year.
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando (HCCMO) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to drive economic growth by strengthening Hispanic businesses in Central Florida.
Since 1993, HCCMO The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando is an epicenter for business acceleration – and a place where commerce happens every day. Members have access to exclusive benefits, programs, and events focused on three pillars – Commerce, Coaching, and Community Building. With more than 1,450 members, it is one of the largest in the region and one of the most recognized Hispanic chambers in the nation.
For more information about the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, please visit hccmo.org or call 407-428-5870.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Florida National News (FNN) proudly announces the addition of Monica Hoyos as its new Managing Editor. In this pivotal role, Monica will lead the newsroom with energy, creativity, and strategic vision, further strengthening FNN’s reputation for trusted, world-class journalism.
Expanding FNN’s Newsroom & Spanish-Language Reach
Monica and her team will also manage on-location contributors to enhance FNN’s hyperlocal digital journalism footprint across Florida, including Orlando, Tampa, Daytona, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Space Coast, Palm Beach, Miami, and Fort Myers.
In addition to leading FNN’s newsroom, Monica will oversee FNN News en Español, the Spanish-language arm of Florida National News and FNN News Network. With 42 million Spanish speakers in the U.S., FNN News en Español is expanding its reach among Latin American and Spanish-speaking news audiences.
With an extensive background in bilingual program and project management for non-profit organizations and Fortune 500 enterprises, Monica brings valuable expertise to strengthen FNN’s Spanish-language content and business development strategies as the network continues its national expansion.
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Leadership Statements
“We are thrilled to bring Monica Hoyos on board to help lead our newsroom and expand our Spanish-language coverage,” said Florida National News President J. Willie David, III. “She is a highly respected bilingual professional with years of communications experience in both Spanish and English in the public and private sectors. We look forward to adding her talents to our FNN family.”
Monica Hoyos shared her enthusiasm for the role:
“I’m excited to join the FNN News brand and contribute to expanding the 1.4 million viewers. My bilingual experience and business expertise will help strengthen our newsroom and audience.”
Educational & Professional Background
Monica holds a Master’s in Education, Curriculum & Instruction (TESOL Concentration) and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications & Spanish, with a Mass Media emphasis.
“She is a terrific addition to an already powerhouse team of leaders and contributors. Her joining FNN signals our ambition for the years ahead and our commitment to brave, independent journalism.”
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J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
News@FloridaNationalNews.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Florida National News (FNN) is proud to announce the appointment of Jenna Greaves as Social Media Manager, effective March 10, 2025, during Women’s History Month.
In her new role, Jenna Greaves will oversee FNN’s social media team and manage its growing social media platforms. She will also serve as a reporter, covering both political and environmental news.
Educational Background and Experience
Jenna holds a bachelor’s degree in print/digital journalism with a minor in political science/pre-law from the University of Central Florida. Her media experience includes working and interning at various local broadcast stations, a radio station, and print publications, giving her a well-rounded background in the industry.
Leadership and Vision
“Jenna is the right manager to lead our social media team, increase brand awareness, and engage our audience,” said FNN President J. Willie David III. “Her experience will play a vital role in enhancing FNN’s online presence and driving higher website traffic and content visibility for several of our platforms.”
– Florida National News Social Media Page
In her role as Social Media Manager, Jenna will develop and execute a comprehensive social media strategy designed to boost brand awareness, audience engagement, and online presence. She will collaborate closely with the editorial team to align content strategies with audience interests, ensuring FNN continues to deliver impactful news coverage.
Florida National News reached 1.4 million audience members in February 2025, and Jenna’s leadership is expected to expand this reach even further.
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J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
News@FloridaNationalNews.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando (Hispanic Chamber) hosted its exclusive Trustee Reception on Thursday, March 6, bringing together influential leaders and businesses for an evening dedicated to recognition, networking, and fostering impactful relationships.
Held at Houndsmen Lounge in Live at the Pointe Orlando, a proud member of the Hispanic Chamber, the event welcomed over 120 attendees, including trustees, business leaders, and prominent community figures.
Celebrating Leadership and Partnerships
During the reception, Pedro Turushina, President and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber, underscored the value of trust and collaboration in building a lasting legacy.
“Tonight, we celebrate you—our investors, our trustees, and our key partners who continuously fuel the growth and success of the Hispanic Chamber,” Turushina shared. “We grow when we trust each other, when we come together to create an impact. If you are here tonight, it’s because you want to leave a legacy. You want to make a difference.”
The evening also featured remarks from Alejandra Escobar, Vice President of the Hispanic Chamber, who highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit driving the region’s Hispanic business community.
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“Thank you for being here this evening, where we recognize the spirit of entrepreneurship and the commitment that drives our thriving Hispanic business community,” Escobar said.
Industry Representation and Community Engagement
The Hispanic Chamber’s 55 Trustees span key industries vital to Central Florida’s economic growth, including:
- 13 minority-owned businesses
- 14 financial services institutions
- 6 higher education organizations
- 5 healthcare and wellness providers
- 5 construction companies
- 6 government and nonprofit agencies
- 4 major parks and hotels
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Distinguished Guests and Live Entertainment
The Hispanic Chamber welcomed prominent leaders such as City of Orlando District 2 Commissioner Tony Ortiz and City of Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinoza.
The reception’s entertainment featured a captivating tango performance by Art and Movement LLC and lively music from DJ Paulo, both Chamber members.
Acknowledging Key Supporters
The Chamber extended special thanks to Travel + Leisure, the presenting sponsor, for their invaluable support. Appreciation was also given to over 80 dedicated volunteers, including the Board of Directors, Ambassadors, Supplier Council, and the Hispanic Business Advocacy Committee for their continued efforts in advancing the Chamber’s mission.
“We are incredibly grateful for the 55 Trustees — corporations, government agencies, and regional leaders — who help power our mission forward,” Turushina stated.
He further encouraged sponsors and strategic partners to continue investing in the Chamber’s impactful programs, events, and initiatives to further strengthen Central Florida’s business community.
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J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
News@FloridaNationalNews.com
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