This 2-day conference, focused on Puerto Rico as an International Insurance Center and an International Banking Center, will join top industry leaders and government officials, who will share insights on latest trends and regulations, compliance, AI, AML, cybersecurity, and much more.
Carlos Fontán, Esq
Office of Incentives for Businesses in Puerto Rico DEDC
Natalia I. Zequeira
Commissioner of
Financial Institutions
Ella Woger
Invest PR
Attorney Carlos M. Fontán obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus in 2006 and a Juris Doctor from the same educational institution in 2009. Mr. Fontan is admitted to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Court and the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.
Carlos began his law career in 2010 at the local firm, Iguina Oharriz Attorneys and Counselors at Law. Mr. Fontán went on to the Justice Department of Puerto Rico where he became the leading attorney for multiple high-profile cases in tax and expropriation law.
In 2015 he started working at the Office of Industrial Tax Exemption of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (“DEDC”) and in 2021 he was appointed Director of the Office of Incentives for Businesses in Puerto Rico of the DEDC. Carlos has vast experience in the evaluation, granting and administration of tax exemption cases, was responsible for the implementation of Act No. 14-2017 and has been an integral part in the drafting of the Puerto Rico’s Incentive Code for Puerto Rico and its corresponding regulations.
En enero de 2021, la licenciada Natalia I. Zequeira Díaz fue designada como Comisionada de Instituciones Financieras. Este nombramiento ocurre luego de su exitosa trayectoria en la industria bancaria, en la que adquirió amplio conocimiento sobre los asuntos pertinentes que aumentan su importancia, mientras emerge una economía postpandemia.
Como nueva Comisionada, Zequeira tiene la responsabilidad trascendental de supervisar la política pública del sistema financiero de Puerto Rico, a través del diseño y la implantación de regulaciones que, aún innovadoras, provean flexibilidad.
La Comisionada desea ocupar un rol importante para garantizar la estabilidad de las instituciones financieras puertorriqueñas, mientras se enfrentan a retos diversos provocados por la pandemia y, además, los cambios que la industria bancaria enfrentará en el futuro.
Zequeira obtuvo una Maestría en Leyes (LL.M.) de la Universidad de Fordham, luego de obtener su grado de Juris Doctor (JD) en la Escuela de Derecho de la Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico. Es una experimentada consultora legal con conocimiento extenso sobre la ley de privacidad, auditorías internas, cumplimiento legal, y evaluación de riesgos. Su trayectoria profesional la llevó a trabajar como asociada en el bufete Pirillo LLC, antes de ser designada por el Gobierno de Puerto Rico para ocupar el cargo de Comisionada.
Como consejera legal, ha representado una gran variedad de clientes, incluyendo entidades financieras de carácter internacional, bancos y firmas de corretaje. Ha prestado atención especial a los asuntos regulatorios y de cumplimiento corporativo relacionados con el sector financiero, así como otros asuntos relacionados con la banca, como leyes de protección, financiamiento de proyectos, y leyes de seguridad. En distintas etapas de su carrera, ha ofrecido su conocimiento especializado en asuntos de cumplimiento regulatorio, relacionado con productos y servicios de la banca. Su experiencia y peritaje como abogada ha ocupado un lugar prominente en su labor dentro de la industria bancaria.
A Puerto Rico native, Ella brings 20 years of experience in strategic marketing and management consulting to strengthen Invest Puerto Rico’s endeavors. She played an instrumental role in the organization’s creation, helping establish InvestPR’s mission, objectives, and roadmap to accomplishing them. A true believer in the island’s potential as a world-class investment destination, Ella ensures that all internal and external stakeholders align with InvestPR’s vision of being a transformational and results-oriented accelerator of economic development in Puerto Rico. Her 20-year career spans successful runs working with Fortune 500 companies in strategic sectors like financial services and life sciences, as well as counseling various leading public and private sector clients. Ella is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.
Alexander S. Adams-Vega
Insurance Commissioner
of Puerto Rico
Francisco E. Campos
Intendant of Insurance
at the Superintendency
of Insurance of the
Dominican Republic
Ricardo Lara
Commissioner, California Department of Insurance
Mr. Alexander Adams was appointed Insurance Commissioner of Puerto Rico on December 20, 2021.
Mr. Alexander Adams has a Juris Doctor and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. He successfully completed his studies with Summa Cum Laude qualifications, was among the top ten law students during his law school years, and a member of the law journal.
Mr. Adams also holds a BA degree in Political Science from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus. He is an attorney and notary admitted to practice law in the Courts of Puerto Rico and in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.
Mr. Adams began his professional career serving Rico. In 2010, he began to work in the Puerto Rico Office of the Insurance Commissioner serving as Law Clerk in the Supreme Court of Puerto as Legal Advisor and, later, in the position of Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs. In these roles, he gained extensive experience on a wide range of insurance regulatory matters and lead policy implementation in diverse areas of insurance industry such as financial solvency, market conduct, licensing, credit for reinsurance, holding company regulation, healthcare plans, property and casualty market, among others. He also has participated in multiple meetings sponsored by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners along these years.
Insurance Intendent of the Dominican Republic, lawyer, with a Master's Degree in Insurance, specializing in forensic practice of financial crimes and financial crimes, specialist in Fintech programs (Insurtech, Regtech and Suptech) from Cambridge University, Certified Associate of the Florida International Business Association (FIBA) and Florida International University (FIU) AntiMoney Laundering Certified Associate (AMLCA), member of the exchange committee of regulators of Cambridge University, Member of the Financial Innovation Hub of the Dominican Republic, among others.
As the leader of the California Department of Insurance, Commissioner Lara oversees the largest insurance market in the United States and the fourth largest insurance market in the world. Since taking office in January 2019, he has acted to protect California consumers, fight climate change, and expand access to health care for all – while preserving a competitive insurance market.
Commissioner Lara has a long record as one of California’s most effective environmental champions, passing laws that promote innovation and investment in clean air, embrace equity, protect waters from oil drilling, and keep California at the forefront of confronting global climate change. He wrote the nation’s first climate insurance law to protect Californians from climate-linked environmental disasters like wildfires, extreme heat waves, flooding and sea level rise. To confront the growing threat of climate change, he created the nation’s first Climate and Sustainability Branch within the Department of Insurance, issued the first-ever report on “climate insurance,” and launched the first subnational state-level partnership with the United Nations Environment Program to create a “sustainable insurance roadmap.” He co-chairs the first executive level task force of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners dedicated to climate risk and resiliency.
Commissioner Lara received the 2017 U.N. Climate and Clean Air Award with California Governor Jerry Brown for his groundbreaking work to create California’s climate strategy for reducing super pollutants, including methane, HFCs, and black carbon.
Eduardo Colón
PRIBA
Hugo Córdova
PRIIA
Yeissa Rodriguez
Advantage International
Eduardo Colón is President of Advantage International Bank Corp., (“AIBC”), a private commercial bank intended to serve the needs of specialty insurance companies and their private clients. AIBC commenced operations on January 1, 2016.
Mr. Colón has over 30 years of experience with leading banking, securities and non-bank financial services companies. Prior to joining Advantage in 2015, HE was the Chief Operating Officer of Citi International Financial Services, a broker dealer subsidiary of Citibank. He has also been First Vice President of Corporate Banking of SunTrust Bank, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Head of Corporate and Commercial of Scotiabank Puerto Rico, President of BBVA Securities Puerto Rico, Senior Vice President and Head of Capital Markets and Trading of Santander Securities and Vice president and General Manager of Chase Securities Puerto Rico. Eduardo is also the current President of the Puerto Rico International Banks Association.
Eduardo earned his BBA from the University of Puerto Rico, Cum Laude and his MBA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Hugo Córdova joined Advantage in March 2018 to serve as a Client Services Manager. Hugo is responsible for all aspects of our Life Insurance policy issuance as well as for client relationship management and business development in Puerto Rico. Hugo started his career at Banco Santander in Puerto Rico in the Management Trainee program. He worked in the Commercial Lending Department and as a Branch Manager. In 2010 he was hired by Aon to provide Insurance Management Services to international insurers in Puerto Rico.
Hugo is a licensed CPA in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. He earned his BBA in Accounting from the University of Sacred Heart in Puerto Rico. He currently serves as the President of the Puerto Rico International Insurers Association.
Yeissa Rodriguez joined Advantage International Bank in June 2018. Yeissa has more than 17 years of experience in the financial services industry. She has expertise specifically related to BSA, AML, OFAC and regulatory compliance laws and regulations. Prior to joining Advantage, Yeissa started her journey in the industry in a commercial bank in Puerto Rico, afterwards being a Compliance Officer in several International Financial Entities in Puerto Rico. Yeissa earned her BBA from the University of Puerto Rico where she majored in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Law and Society. She is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). She holds an Identity Theft Investigator Certification as well as a Private Investigator Diploma. Recently she got certified by ACAMS in their Advanced Risk Management program. Yeissa is actively involved in the Puerto Rico International Bankers Association (PRIBA).
Marilú Jiménez
FINCAdvisors
Ernesto Mayoral
McConnell Valdés
Michael Jimenez
Genesis Systems
Ms. Jiménez is an attorney and certified Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) expert with more than 30 years of experience in the financial services sector. She served as the Chief Compliance Officer for the leading Hispanic banking institution in the United States, supervised by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Ms. Jimenez is an industry authority with extensive experience evaluating BSA/AML, USA Patriot Act, and Office of Foreign Asset Control compliance programs as well as consumer and financial compliance. Ms. Jiménez helps bank executives and boards of directors of financial and nonfinancial institutions establish proper governance processes, providing tailored trainings, performing risk assessments as well as assisting institutions in responding to compliance matters requiring board attention, bringing practical hands-on experience to international and domestic banks. Ms. Jimenez has also trained government officials and supervisors in Latin America.
Ms. Jimenez has served as a Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Company and SecuraIsaac on compliance matters and system implementations. Ms. Jiménez has also assisted as a subject matter expert to the Anti-Money Laundering Specialists Association (ACAMS) on their certifications for risk assessment, sanctions management and know your customer & enhanced due diligence practices. Currently she chairs the Editorial Board of the ACAMS publication in Spanish where she has published several articles on financial crimes and Women in AML.
Highly knowledgeable in banking laws, regulations, risk management, and corporate governance, Ms. Jiménez holds several industry board positions. She has participated with the American Bankers Association (ABA) in various capacities, as co-chair and member of the Advisory Board on Financial Crimes and previously as Chairwoman of the ABA Compliance Administrative Committee. She is currently a member of the ACAMS Advisory Board. Additionally, Ms. Jimenez led the Puerto Rico Bankers Association Anti-Money Laundering Committee and still spearheads the leading educational Financial Crimes Symposium in Puerto Rico. In 2017, she was the recipient of the Professional of the Year Award by ACAMS.
Ms. Jiménez is a frequent public speaker both nationally and internationally (English and Spanish). She has cooperated with the US Treasury Department in the public and private sector dialogues with the Latin American financial community and currently trains regulatory bodies and government officials in Latin America.
Ms. Jiménez previously served as Senior Vice President & Division Director of the Corporate Compliance Division for Popular, Inc., where she supervised the compliance function in Puerto Rico, the United States, and all other operations in the Caribbean and Latin America. While at Popular, Ms. Jiménez developed the structure for the compliance function and anti-money laundering program. She has additional, prior experience with multinational institutions as legal counsel and compliance supervisor with Citibank, Puerto Rico's Commissioner of Financial Institutions, and Banco Santander where she developed, managed the Legal Counsel Office and Corporate Compliance. Ms. Jiménez participates in boards of community-based organizations helping underserved communities as Chairwoman of Espacios Abiertos and Estuario de la Bahía.
Mr. Mayoral acts as lead counsel in a wide range of banking, securities, and insurance acquisitions, and on regulatory applications to federal and Puerto Rico banking agencies. His practice is concentrated in banking, financial, and insurance regulatory matters, as an advisor for banks and other financial institutions (including international banking entities doing business in Puerto Rico), and insurance companies and producers. He has also acted as lead counsel in a wide range of corporate transactions, including commercial real estate acquisitions and securities offerings.
From 1991 until he joined the firm in June 1994, Mr. Mayoral was the Director of the Legal Division of Popular, Inc. Prior to this he served as Legal Counsel to Banco de Ponce from 1982 until its merger with Banco Popular in 1990.
From 1990 until 1994 Mr. Mayoral was a member of the Puerto Rico Bar Examination Board and an Associate Professor on Banking Law at the Interamerican University School of Law in 1993 and 1994.
Mr. Mayoral has consistently been ranked as one of Puerto Rico's Leading Attorneys in the Corporate/Commercial field by the renowned international publication Chambers & Partners in its Latin America Guide. He is also ranked in the Corporate and M&A field of The Best Lawyers in Puerto Rico guide.
Michael Jimenez is a founding member of both Genesis Systems Consulting and PAAST, P.L. a Certified Public Accounting and Consulting firm. Michael has extensive experience in information security, information technology governance, growth strategy consulting, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, forensic information technology, due diligence, system validations, banking compliance, and Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering audits for clients in multiple industries using an array of software applications and platforms. He has also performed Cybersecurity, E-Banking, and BSA Risk Assessments in accordance with FFIEC guidelines.
Michael also provides oversight for the day-to-day operations of the Firm, including information technology (IT) governance and security management.
Michael has lectured on many topics such as implementing document management systems, data and network security, audit processes, BSA/AML/OFAC model validations and risk assessments. Michael has participated in numerous discussion panels on the same topics for Prime Global, the South Florida Compliance Association, the FICPA, the South Florida Banker's Institute, University of Miami, and Miami Dade College. Michael has also written several articles for various publications.
Michael is Certified Information Systems Auditor and a Certified Information Security Manager.
Prior to joining the firm, Michael supervised the Management Information Systems department of a regional accounting firm. He was as a member of the technology team for managing several systems and was instrumental in Year 2000 IT security reviews and compliance mandates for the financial institutions and regulated industries serviced by the Firm.
Michael previously worked at Pan American Airlines as a Network Manager developing, implementing, and managing the airline's Wide Area Network (WAN), as well as remote access solutions for the airline's global network and its employees. He was also responsible for maintaining and implementing network security policies for the organization.
As a network and Lotus Notes engineer at IVAX Corporation, Michael was responsible for the development, implementation and management of the company's WAN solutions for corporate headquarters and global subsidiaries. He was also in charge of the maintenance of the corporation's Lotus Notes servers worldwide.
Martín Pirillo
Pirillo Law
Heidy Duarte
Kaufman, Rossin & Co.
Raymond Villanueva
Kaufman Rossin
Marimar Perez-Riera, Esq.
PRIBA
Martín Pirillo is the managing member of the Firm. He has become a leader in the field of international financial entities, banks, financing and factoring companies, and a distinguished attorney among securities broker-dealer firms, investment advisers, private fund sponsors, real estate developers, start-ups and growing enterprises entering growth equity or financing transactions. Clients trust him as a service partner for their high-stake business deals, and also with their personal transactions in tough issues and projects.
Martín has over 21 years of experience successfully handling complex issues in the areas of corporate structuring, consumer lending, banking and corporate finance, international commercial and finance transactions, real estate, and securities matters. He regularly assists clients with the development of corporate structures, transactional strategy and risk assessment, ensuring that all of these and applicable law work together for client's protection.
Martín served early in his career as a law clerk in the Puerto Rico Court of Appeals. He was also appointed Senior Legal Counsel for several Citigroup entities in Puerto Rico. Martín also previously participated in numerous securities offering transactions, including the creation of the first largest investment company complex in Puerto Rico.
He is well known for his pragmatic and hands-on approach to business counseling, providing not only comprehensive legal advice, but also acting as strategic advisor on transactions and on day-to-day situations. Martín's extensive experience helping businesses and financial enterprises have proven to add value as a business partner to assist clients in accomplishing their objectives in a cost-efficient manner.
Heidy M. Duarte is a Principal in Kaufman Rossin's Risk Advisory Services practice. With over 16 years in the Financial Services industry, she has extensive experience in forensic accounting, risk management, and regulatory compliance matters, helping clients identify and mitigate risks. Heidy is a highly-skilled professional with international experience in public accounting, financial services, and other private sectors with a proven track record in assessing risks combined with extensive knowledge of BSA/AML/OFAC, IFRS, COSO, GAAP, GAAS, and SOX (“Sarbanes-Oxley”). She has experience working with Banks, Broker-Dealers, Money Service Businesses, Insurance, and other non-bank financial institutions. Heidy is recognized as an expert in BSA/ AML/CFT, having served as a panelist at major anti-money laundering conferences, webinars, and round tables. She also possesses expertise in fraud risk assessments and investigations, leading to the development and strengthening of fraud prevention and detection procedures.
Prior to joining Kaufman Rossin, Heidy was the director of the National Forensics Practice of a large global international accounting and consulting firm. She led the development of the AML practice in Puerto Rico, LATAM, and the Caribbean. In addition, she participated in multiple projects assisting foreign financial institutions, reviewing, testing, and enhancing their regulatory compliance programs in connection with their application or maintenance of their correspondent banking relationship with the USA. She also led numerous Forensic accounting investigations, AML & Compliance reviews, AML assessments, Enhanced Due diligence, M&A, lookbacks, and Gap Analysis, amongst others.
Previously, Heidy served as the BSA/ AML/ OFAC Officer and Head of the Corporate Financial Fraud department at a national financial institution, where she was responsible for promoting and implementing compliance standards and minimizing BSA/AML/OFAC and fraud exposure through the development and implementation of robust Anti-Money Laundering, Bank Secrecy Act, and OFAC programs. Heidy also has extensive experience working with Bank examiners, Internal Audit, Board of Directors, and Regulatory agencies.
Heidy is serving her third consecutive year as an Executive Board Member of “Women United,” a sub-committee of United Ways. She also serves as an instructor in the executive program in Anti-money laundering and accounting for the University of Granada in Spain (virtual Program); she is also the instructor of the FIBA Foreign Correspondent Bank Certificate (In Spanish). In 2021, Heidy received the South Florida Hispanic Miami Chamber of Commerce Award. “Women of Leadership Award” Business/ Accounting.
Heidy earned her Master of Accounting from Florida International University. She also completed a Risk Management for Corporate Leaders program from Harvard Business School Executive Education. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Raymond Villanueva is a director in Kaufman Rossin’s risk advisory services practice. He brings more than 28 years of law enforcement and investigative experience with emphasis on the Bank Secrecy Act, anti-money laundering, trade enforcement, sanctions, and anti-fraud, as well as international collaboration and information sharing.
He has extensive experience in evaluating and mitigating risks and conducting and overseeing national and international large-scale financial crimes investigations and mitigation programs involving anti-fraud, anti-money laundering, Office of Foreign Assets Control, trade enforcement, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, amongst others. Ray has also provided several congressional testimonies on high-level issues of national significance.
Before joining Kaufman Rossin, Ray was a United States Senior Executive Service member, serving as the Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Washington, D.C. He was also the Director of HSI’s Office of International Operations, responsible for the agency’s investigative and diplomatic global efforts in over 53 countries worldwide. Ray was also a member of the United States Delegation to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
As a frequent speaker at industry events and panels, Ray has been quoted in financial news, professional publications, books, and several national and international financial typology reports, including some adopted by FATF.
Ray is a member of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, and a Board Member of the ACAMS U.S. Capital Chapter. A native of Puerto Rico, he is fluent in Spanish and English.
As the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico International Insurers Association (PRIIA) and the Puerto Rico International Banks Association (PRIBA), Marimar Pérez-Riera, Esq., provides strategic leadership, advocates for industry interests, and ensures that legislative initiatives are aligned to promote and strengthen Puerto Rico's international insurance and banking sectors.
She is also the Founder and President of the Asociación de Titulares de Condominios, Inc., a non-profit organization with over 3,000 members dedicated to protecting, advocating, and educating the community on issues related to condominium owners' property rights. Pérez-Riera is renowned for her expertise in this field, collaborating with the executive and legislative branches to ensure that the new Condominium Law and DACO regulations focus on distinguishing between the rights of the board of directors (HOA) and the individual property rights of the titleholders. She has also litigated cases on these matters before the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, establishing legal precedents that protect the rights of condominium owners, particularly regarding the adverse effects of gentrification.
In addition to her legal accomplishments, Pérez-Riera served as the President of the Board of Directors of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and as the Treasurer of the central bank, being the only woman to hold such positions. She also worked as a legislative advisor to the President of the Puerto Rico Senate.
With a background in investment banking, Pérez-Riera has also worked with the Securities and Exchange Commission on compliance-related matters. Furthermore, she led a real estate development company focused on constructing condominiums.
Marimar Pérez-Riera regularly contributes to the opinion columns at El Nuevo Día and Microjuris. She also offers continuing education courses for lawyers on the Condominium Law.
Pérez-Riera earned a Juris Doctor degree, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law. She also holds a Master in Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in economics from Yale University.
Gerald Kierce
Trustible
Sid Jha
ARBOL
Gregory H. Cobb
Sage Advisory
Jonathan González
Raincoat
Gerald is the Co-Founder & CEO of Trustible – a VC-backed enterprise software company that helps organizations accelerate Responsible AI governance to maximize trust and manage risk.
Most recently, Gerald served as Vice President & General Manager of FiscalNote AI Solutions, where he lead the commercial strategy and business operations for a portfolio of AI/ML products.
Gerald also worked closely with leaders across the company, as well as Corporate Development, in identifying and evaluating M&A targets.Gerald also served as Chief of Staff to FiscalNote's Chairman & CEO, Tim Hwang, executing priorities and driving business accountability in areas such as go-to-market, research & development, finance, M&A, corporate communications, and talent management. Since 2014 as an early employee at FiscalNote, Gerald has been at the intersection of the company's go-to-market functions, having held various roles in Product Marketing, Customer Success, and Business Development.
Prior to FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE), Gerald worked in the Professional Services practice of the Corporate Executive Board (now owned by Gartner, NYSE: IT) and in the Communications Office of Meridian International Center. He is originally from Puerto Rico and is a graduate of the University of Dayton with degrees in Entrepreneurship and Political Science. He also serves as an advisor, investor, and board member to various startups and nonprofits.
Founder and CEO of Arbol, an insurtech business which has scaled up rapidly to serve clients across countries and industries looking to manage weather and climate risks affecting their supply chains or revenues. Management experience of teams spanning technology, blockchain, AI, data science, sales, and legal. Responsible for managing and deploying dedicated risk capacity exceeding $1BN.
Prior in depth experience in portfolio management and quant research across markets including commodities and interest rates.
Published author of “Interest Rate Markets”. Graduated Harvard B.A Applied Math/M.A Statistics.
Greg serves on the investment team as an investment strategist and Director of Insurance Solutions, focusing on portfolio strategies and risk management solutions for the insurance industry, both traditional and in the world of alternative risk transfer. In 2021 and 2022, he was recognized by Captive International as Insurance Asset Manager of the Year. Greg began his career in 1987 and served as Senior Portfolio Manager for the institutional asset management arms of both SunTrust and Bank of America with a specialization in insurance company portfolio management. From there, he served as Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer for Sovereign Advisers and immediately prior to Sage as Lead Strategist and Director of Fixed Income for Boyd Watterson Asset Management. He has been a tireless advocate of sustainability and the integration of ESG within the insurance industry, having spoken at numerous industry conferences, association annuals, and regulatory departments. Greg earned a BS in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a member of the CFA Institute.
Passionate about startups and user experience. I enjoy closing the gap between aesthetics and functionality in everything I do and I'm always down to help in any way I can. Feel free to contact me for help or just to say hello. jonathan@teamraincoat.com
Erick Negrón
Rexach & Picó LLC
Antonio Ramírez
McConnell Valdés
Aixa Maldonado
Zeichner, Ellman & Krause, LLP.
Pedro I. Vidal-Cordero
VNB Legal
Atty. Erick G. Negrón Rivera is a Partner at the Rexach & Picó law firm in San Juan, Puerto Rico. During his career of over thirty-five years as a lawyer, Atty. Negrón has amassed considerable experience in the areas of corporate practice, administrative law, taxation, and insurance regulation, representing clients in a wide range of issues. He has been a speaker at numerous industry events and has assisted the Puerto Rico Government in the drafting of important aspects of insurance and tax legislation and regulation. He has served on the board of two insurance companies, and is a board member of the Puerto Rico International Insurers Association. Atty. Negrón was also a member of the Constitutional Development Committee of the Puerto Rico Bar Association from 1998 to 2006. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Yale University (1982), and a J.D. from Harvard Law School (1985).
He specializes in cross border transactions, government affairs, and government procurement and contracting. His corporate practice has been focused primarily on insurance and banking regulatory issues and insurance M & A transactions, involving both insurance company and insurance brokerage asset purchase and stock purchase transactions. Mr. Ramirez has also been involved in the organization and authorization of insurers, including the incorporation and organization of the first domestic life reinsurer in Puerto Rico and the incorporation and authorization of the first mutual insurance company in Puerto Rico. He also assists clients in responding to Request for Proposals (RFP) processes, and in their negotiation of contracts with the Government of Puerto Rico.
He holds the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation from the American Institute of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters, as well as Associate in Reinsurance (ARe) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations from the Insurance Institute of America. Mr. Ramirez is a past president of the Puerto Rico Chapter of the CPCU Society. Prior to rejoining the Firm, Mr. Ramírez acquired extensive experience in the Property and Casualty insurance field at the Philadelphia offices of General Accident Insurance Co., and American International Group. In the latter, he was responsible for the management of a book of large limits excess and umbrella liability policies, and in developing markets for such products in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.
Mr. Ramírez held the position of General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Caribbean Financial Group Holdings, L.P. (“CFG”), a holding company for several consumer finance companies in Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, and Puerto Rico, and a captive reinsurance company (CFG Insurance Ltd.) in Barbados. During his tenure at CFG, Mr. Ramirez acquired extensive experience in cross border transactions and regulatory issues, including divesting of operations, licensing and regulatory compliance issues, negotiation of financing arrangements, and debt issuance processes. Mr. Ramírez also acted as President of CFG Insurance Ltd., and as such, was involved in the financial and operational oversight of the operation, and the negotiation of treaty reinsurance agreements with credit life, unemployment, and disability insurers in Panama and the United States.
Having served as Deputy Executive Director of the Economic Development and Tourism Department of the Municipality of San Juan under former Mayor Sila M. Calderón, Mr. Ramírez acquired invaluable experience in government affairs and in the building of lobbying coalitions. Mr. Ramirez was involved in the creation of the Consumer Loan Companies Association (FINANCO), an association grouping consumer loan companies operating in Puerto Rico. In representation of FINANCO, he has led lobbying efforts to defeat several bills that would have been harmful to the industry, including attempts to regulate interest rates on small loans. More recently, Mr. Ramirez was instrumental in the creation of the Coalition of Retailers, a lobbying coalition composed of several of the principal national retailers, and has been extensively involved in lobbying involving tax and consumer affairs matters affecting retailers in Puerto Rico. He has also participated in drafting of pivotal legislation, such as the Electronic Transactions Act and the Viatical Settlements Act. Mr. Ramírez does Pro Bono legal work for the Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art. He also does photographic work to document the Museum’s collection and for use in publications by the Museum.
Aixa Maldonado is a partner at Zeichner, Ellman & Krause LLP in Washington, D.C. and New York where she advises corporate clients, including financial institutions, on compliance programs, corporate policy, and regulatory obligations. She also advises and defends corporate clients and their executives during white collar crime prosecutions, civil investigations, and governmental and regulatory inquiries. Prior to this she served as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice for over 22 years, specializing in corporate compliance, money laundering and corruption investigations focusing on gatekeepers and kleptocrats.
Pedro I. Vidal-Cordero is a corporate law attorney with over 30 years of professional experience and a deep understanding of the Puerto Rico business environment. His practice covers regulatory, transactional and compliance matters related with the establishment and operations of insurance companies, captives, international insurers, and reinsurers operating under the Puerto Rico International Insurance Center, as well as other entities engaged in the sale of insurance, delivery of healthcare services and companies engaged in the delivery of financial services. He has ample experience in representing and counseling international and domestic clients doing business in Puerto Rico, and regularly advises clients in corporate reorganizations, re-domestications, conversions, mergers and purchase and sale transactions.
Mr. Vidal has represented clients in major transactions including those establishing operations under the “Puerto Rico International Insurance Center” and procuring tax-exemption grants for international insurers, and Act 60 service export companies, among many others. He has represented both companies and healthcare delivery institutions in purchasing and selling many of the leading companies established and operating in Puerto Rico.
He has a J.D. from University of Puerto Rico School of Law. He is admitted to in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, U.S. Claims Court and U.S. Tax Court.
Nicolás Franco
BDO
Alexander Fortich
Stern International Bank
Gabriel Caballero, Jr.
Holland & Knight
Gilberto Figueroa
GF Compliance & Regulatory Consulting
Nicolas Franco is a managing director in BDO’s Legal Compliance practice and Head of AML and Fintech in BDO Latin America.
He has over 15 years of experience delivering regulatory compliance services. Nicolas has extensive experience in various components of BSA/AML/OFAC compliance programs, including risk assessments, Know Your Customer (KYC), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), Transaction Monitoring, System and Model Validation Services and AML Training.
Nicolas’s experience includes working with all types of financial services organizations including Banks, Insurance Companies, Fintech, Crypto Exchange, Neobanks, Virtual Wallet and Investment Found among others.
Nicolas is knowledgeable in design and implementation of Anti-Money Laundering Systems for financial institutions and DNFBP under FATF regulation (structure, processes, profiles, risk matrices, alert systems, and entity risk self-assessment); independent validation of AML Systems in Banks, Fintechs, and Cryptocurrency companies in Latam; training for Boards of Directors; and design and implementation AML Solutions based on Technology (BI, RPA, Python).
Prior to joining BDO US, Nicolas was a Partner at BDO Argentina in charge of Financial Services, including AML, Compliance and Digital Transformation forming and managing an interdisciplinary team of +130 professionals.
Nicolas is currently Director of the Forum's Latin American Anti-Money Laundering Program, professor for the International Certification in Ethics and Compliance and Professor at CEMA University in the specialization program in AML.
Nicolas is C.A.M.S. and M.B.A. with specialization in Digital Banking, Fintech and Crypto.
Mr. Fortich has more than 24 years of banking experience including 10 years of BSA/AML/OFAC expertise. He oversees the Bank's BSA/AML and Consumer Compliance programs.
Previously, he held leadership positions at several South Florida banks, and served as a Financial Crimes Investigator for the State of Florida Office of Financial Regulations (OFR), successfully investigating white-collar crimes.
Mr. Fortich is a Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist. He is a member of Florida International Bankers Association, Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist and Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
He earned a Bachelor in Business from St. Thomas University and a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University.
Gabriel Caballero is a partner in Holland & Knight's Miami office and member of the firm's Financial Services practice group. Mr. Caballero concentrates his practice on the representation of domestic and multinational organizations (including banks, broker dealers, money services businesses, other financial institutions, investment companies, fund managers and private equity groups) on a broad range of business, licensing, regulatory and compliance matters. Prior to joining the firm, he served as an associate general counsel for the U.S. private banking subsidiary of one of the world's largest banks (as measured by market capitalization). He regularly advises clients on issues relating to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), anti-money laundering, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), financial privacy, consumer protection, virtual/digital currencies (including Bitcoin), and enforcement actions by various federal and state regulatory authorities (e.g., the Federal Reserve, OCC, FDIC, CFPB, OFAC, FINRA, SEC and the Florida Office of Financial Regulation). Mr. Caballero has also counseled lenders and borrowers on issues relating to commercial lending, private banking, secured transactions, creditors' rights, letters of credit and negotiable instruments.
Mr. Gilberto Figueroa, is an executive financial industry consultant and subject matter expert in financial crimes and anti-money laundering compliance programs. Mr. Figueroa is a former Supervisory Special Agent of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with more than 12 years of experience investigating money laundering, financial crimes, and fraud. During his tenure with DHS-HSI, Mr. Figueroa held different managerial positions including Resident Agent in Charge (RAC) in the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Section Chief of the Financial Crimes, Narcotics, and Special Operations Division at HSI's Headquarters in Washington DC. Mr. Figueroa also served for several years as the BSA/AML/OFAC Officer for Popular Community Bank in New York.
Mr. Figueroa holds a Degree (B.A) in Political Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico and a Juris Doctor (JD) from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico Law School. He is also a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS); Certified Risk Vendor Program Manager (CRVPM); Certified Expert in Cyber Research (CECI); Certified Auditor in Internal Controls (CICA) and Certified Investigator in Crypto-Currencies (CCI).
Jesús H. Jiménez
Assured Cyber Solutions
Omar Mues
Kevane Grant Thornton
Patrick Grobbel
Kroll
William Buell
President & CEO,
Advantage Insurance
Mr. Jimenez is a founding member of Assured Cyber Solutions, LLC (“ACS”), a veteran majority-owned company, and the owner of Spanda, LLC. As a global technology executive known for establishing and executing visionary strategies that address business goals, Mr. Jimenez is committed to providing innovative cyber solutions that measure and reduce cyber risk. In his role at ACS, he oversees vCISO operations and serves as the technical lead on cyber risk management for insurance companies and financial institutions, enhancing cyber risk evaluations and compliance monitoring utilizing automated tools and protocols.
Since 2010, Mr. Jimenez has been employed in roles of progressive leadership with RigNet Inc. (a KKR Portfolio Company), a global technology company with a market capitalization of $1 billion, providing customized cybersecurity, LTE, satellite, and telecommunications services. As Vice President of Global Engineering, he spearheaded global infrastructure and product development teams that delivered services to global customers. His expertise in cyber risk measurement contributed to exceeding the 2017 cost savings target by $3M while simultaneously leading three global structural reorganizations within 18 months. He most recently served as Vice President of the $150M core communications product portfolio.
Mr. Jimenez actively participates in investor relations and has represented his employers as a subject matter expert in cybersecurity at various forums. His technical acumen proved invaluable in analyzing technology companies to identify gaps for determining valuation. Previously, as RigNet’s Director of Global Engineering, he led the development of cybersecurity products. As Chief Technology Officer (CTO) with ERF Wireless, he increased market share in rural areas by 25% by leading acquisitions.
He launched his engineering career as Senior Director of Engineering for Eagle Broadband and served in the US Navy, earning seven medals. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Technology from the University of Houston, an MBA from Texas A&M University, and completed the Accelerated Development Program (ADP) at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business. A noted expert in his field quoted in CIO Review Magazine, Mr. Jimenez has also served as an Executive Board Director for QuEST Forum and as an Expert Panelist at various conferences. His volunteer work includes serving as the President of the Mays Business School Toastmasters Club.
Omar is a tax senior manager with over sixteen years of experience in public accounting, including “Big Four” firms.
He has experience in consulting services, general and public accounting, and taxation, with hands-on experience in Puerto Rico tax incentives, private letter rulings and closing agreements, and tax planning and strategies.
He has also worked in the areas of individual and corporate taxation, as well as partnerships, corporations of individuals, and limited liability companies in the manufacturing, wholesale, retail, service, real estate/low income housing and hospitality industries.
Memberships: Puerto Rico State Society of Certified Public Accountants and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Omar has a BBA in accounting and is a CPA.
Patrick Grobbel is a managing director in the Data Insights and Forensics practice, based in Washington, D.C. He leverages more than 20 years of legal advisory, engagement delivery and business development expertise with financial advisory firms.
Prior to joining Kroll, Patrick served as a managing director in FTI Consulting’s Data and Analytics practice, a part of the Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment.
Patrick is an expert in providing solutions to matters requiring responses to government regulatory scrutiny, resulting in the need for services, including investigative forensic accounting, fraud investigations, cyber-enabled crimes, anti-money laundering (AML) investigations, blockchain investigations, complex dispute resolution and white-collar criminal defense.
He has been engaged on dozens of regulatory, internal investigation and complex litigation matters. In both domestic and international matters, Patrick is experienced in developing project work plans, budgets and project management support for complex cases and executing in accordance with industry best practices. He is proficient in initial data assessment, preservation and reporting for both unstructured and structured data sources.
His specific experience involves investigative due diligence, cybercrime and incident response, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and monitorships in the anti-bribery, asset tracing, anti-corruption and AML/terrorist financing areas. He has supported the investigations of allegations of misconduct affecting pharmaceutical, life sciences, construction, insurance and financial services and has conducted broad dispute resolution in several areas, including digital forensics, structured data discovery, litigation support and cyber security.
Alongside his professional experience, Patrick is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE). He is also an associate member of the Women’s Bar Association (WBA) and the National Association of Pacific and Asian Bar Association (NAPABA).
William C. Buell is Advantage Insurance Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Buell joined Advantage as Chief Executive Officer on April 20, 2022. Prior to Advantage he was a senior executive at the consumer financial technology companies Better.com and Koalafi. Previously Mr. Buell was the Chief Operating Officer at FirstKey Business Lending and Managing Director at FirstKey Mortgage where he ran the business lending group and was a partner on the new product development team from 2015 to 2019. Mr. Buell was a Managing Director at J.P. Morgan Securities and an Executive Vice President at Countrywide Securities. Mr. Buell has experience with regulatory compliance matters, contract negotiation and structure, settlement, process, claims and litigation, as well as in technology design and oversight. Mr. Buell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin.
Mario López
President,
Alianza Fintech Iberoamérica
Jorge Miró
President & COO,
NextBank
John Davey
Four D Ventures, LLC
Richard Wolf
Secura Isaac
Mario López es cofundador de Poincenot, un estudio de tecnología que desarrolla negocios digitales y actualmente es Presidente de la Alianza Fintech Iberoamérica y Vicepresidente de la Cámara Argentina Fintech.
Cuenta con más de 25 años de experiencia en el Mercado Financiero, en los últimos años, ha guiado equipos para desarrollar innovación en la banca digital basada en la tecnología y la experiencia de usuario.
Poincenot tech.studio es un estudio de tecnología especializado en el desarrollo de negocios digitales.
Jorge has more than 15 years of experience in the Puerto Rican financial services industry. Jorge oversaw several compliance teams where he coordinated, monitored day-to-day BSA/AML compliance programs, and ensured adherence to local and federal regulatory requirements. Jorge’s particular focus has been on helping de novo financial institutions comply with regulatory regimes, especially with respect to the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council and all the guidelines that they provide.
Jorge has also maintained different positions as business development officer with the main goal of identifying opportunities for business growth and creating marketing strategies based on those opportunities in order to meet and exceed revenue goals.
Since 2021 Jorge has been the President and COO of Next Bank International based out of San Juan, P.R. The Bank offers personal and commercial banking, combined with the highest concierge and customer service standards, to clients globally.
John Davey is a management consultant and turn-around expert providing insights and action plans to banks and financial services firms. He is also a serial entrepreneur having started and sold multiple businesses. Mr. Davey spent nearly two decades on Wall Street where he helped launch and sell two businesses for Lehman Brothers, was an early employee at Goldman Sachs Asset Management and then an original principal in the formation of UBS Global Asset Management. Subsequently, he helped lead the turnaround and ultimate sale of federally regulated bank, BBN Financial Corp. While with BBN, Mr. Davey oversaw the introduction of correspondent banking services to Puerto Rico based IFEs. After the sale of BBN, he endeavored to start an uninsured, state chartered, de novo correspondent bank to help solve the global de-risking crisis – he was granted an initial term sheet for a Master Account by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston but ultimately abandoned the venture due to inexplicable delays.
Rick Wolf is Managing Director of Secura/Isaac Group, a global advisory firm serving the financial services industry. Rick is a former corporate and legal executive with extensive experience as a consultant specializing in designing governance, regulatory and corporate compliance, and risk management programs.
Since the enactment of Sarbanes Oxley Act and related, broad changes to the U.S. Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations, Rick designed and implemented start-up compliance programs for several multi-national corporations, designing programs for employees and executives in over 50 countries. His body of work includes creating ethics and compliance programs, whistleblower systems, regulatory compliance programs, enterprise risk management systems, corporate governance charters and reporting procedures, targeted training and awareness programs, and education for boards of directors and executives on ethics and leadership.
Rick has worked as a Senior Advisor for FTI Consulting, and founded Lexakos Consulting LLC, a leading legal business consulting firm specializing in designing governance, regulatory and corporate compliance, and risk management practices for public, private and non-profit organizations. Following the financial crisis, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York engaged Rick to serve as a special compliance advisor, where he handled a variety of critical assignments, including revisions to the central bank’s BSA/AML and OFAC Sanctions compliance policies and procedures.
Rick is also the former Chief Ethics Officer of HSBC North America, Inc., where he developed a comprehensive ethics program for the US-based subsidiary of one of the largest banks in the world and helped lead a team that formulated a global whistleblower system for managing global financial crime risk and early fraud detection. Rick earlier served as Senior Vice President — Legal and Head of Global Compliance at Cendant Corporation, where he was a managing lawyer and the multinational corporation’s first compliance and information governance executive. His vertical industry expertise includes financial services, health care, franchising, chemical, petroleum, automotive and non-profits.
Rick was recently appointed to the member consultative team for the upcoming Restatement on Corporate Governance, published by the American Law Institute (ALI), where he has been a member since 2007, and the ALI Principles of the Law, Compliance, Risk Management, and Enforcement. He is also the former president and board chairman of the Association of Corporate Counsel’s Greater New York Chapter, where he directly succeeded then general counsel of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and then general counsel of the Port Authority of NY & NJ. He has also served as a certified mediator for the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and to the Panel of Distinguished Neutrals for the CPR International Institute for Conflict Resolution, where he has officiated over commercial mediation and arbitration.
Rick is a frequent lecturer on topics of governance, risk management and compliance and has been a featured speaker and subject matter expert for organizations such as The Conference Board, Compliance Week, Practising Law Institute, American Bar Association, and ARMA International, among others.
Rick began his career as an attorney at LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, and Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch (now Day Pitney). He earned a B.A. from Stockton University and a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was an editor on Washington University Law Review.
Sofía Estrada
FBI
Nadia López
FBI
Myrna M. Rivera
Consultiva Wealth Management Corp
Seth Erbe
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico
Sofia Estrada is currently assigned as a Intelligence Analyst to the Money Laundering in the FBI. IA Estrada has a background in Money laundering, Financial Crimes and Health Care Fraud Crimes. She has been in the Bureau for 6 years, with a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences with Emphasis in Criminology. A Master Degree in Criminal Investigations and a Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology.
Nadia Lopez is currently assigned as a tactical specialist to the Money Laundering and White Collar squads in the FBI. TS Lopez has a background in Transnational Organized Crimes and Violent Gangs. She has been in the Bureau for 10 years, with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Marketing.
MYRNA M. RIVERA, founder, and principal investment advisor of CONSULTIVA since 1999, has over 30 years of experience in the field of investment management consulting. She is a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), Mrs. Rivera is a recognized pioneer in the industry, having contributed to the development of standard investment contributed to the development of standard investment management practices employed today by endowments, foundations, pension funds, insurance companies, credit unions, Taft Hartley benefit plans, and families and individuals.
Mrs. Rivera has received several awards for her leadership in financial services, including the John Ellis Award of Excellence for her performance in institutional investment consulting at Smith Barney and its predecessors, the Joyce Johnson Award from the National Association of Securities Professionals (www.nasphq.org) for her contribution to the advancement of women and minorities in the financial services industry, and the Highest Leaf Award from the Women's Venture Fund of New York for entrepreneurial excellence (www.wvf-ny.org). She has twice been honored as Consultant of the Year by Opal Financial Group's Emerging Managers Summit. Ms. Rivera is listed in Hispanic Business Magazine's "100 Most Influential Hispanics" (www.hispanicbusiness.com) and on the top list of women-owned investment advisory firms from 2013 to 2016.
She is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, Cayey Campus where she earned a Bachelor of Science and Mathematics. She is also a graduate of Lehman College of the City University of New York, where she received a master’s degree in Mathematics. Ms. Rivera is registered with FINRA as a General Securities Representative (Series 7), a General Securities Principal (Series 24), a Registered Representative (Series 63) and a Registered Investment Advisor Representative (Series 66).
Seth Erbe is the Chief of the Financial Fraud and Public Corruption Section for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico. He has held that position since 2020 and currently supervises 10 prosecutors. His section specializes in complex and high-profile criminal investigations. In fiscal year 2022, Puerto Rico was the second ranked district in the nation in terms of public corruption cases charged. In his nine years of experience with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he is responsible for the successful prosecution of various federal, state, and local government officials and the recovery of several million dollars in federal funds. Originally from Las Vegas, Seth graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, attended law school at the University of San Diego, clerked for the Honorable Daniel R. Dominguez, spent 10 years in federal civil litigation, and is now celebrating his 22nd year living in Puerto Rico. He attributes his love of Puerto Rico to his wife, kids, bacalaitos, and Hacienda San Pedro coffee.
Viviana Muñoz
FinCEN - U.S. Department of the Treasury
Mónica Rodríguez Villa
OCIF
Walter Keenan
Financial Services Entrepreneur
José Sosa
DLA Piper
Viviana Muñoz-Fernandez is a Senior Advisor for Enforcement and Compliance at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Since joining FinCEN in 2012, she has spearheaded BSA/AML compliance and enforcement matters in coordination with regulatory and law enforcement partners. She has led multiple investigations into a wide range of U.S. financial institutions, serving as the lead advisor and negotiator in resolving BSA matters in accordance with FinCEN’s mission to safeguard the U.S. financial system. Viviana is among the recipients of the FinCEN’s Director James F. Sloan Award for Excellence in Partnership.
Prior to joining FinCEN, Viviana worked in the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Division at Citigroup where she conducted investigations to ensure compliance with BSA regulators and law enforcement. Before working for Citigroup, she worked as Trial Attorney in the private sector handling a variety of corporate and individual clients in matters including: Compliance, Banking, Corporate, and Administrative Law, among others. Viviana is ACAMS certified and licensed to practice law by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Bar and the Washington, D.C. Bar.
Bio coming soon.
Walter C. Keenan is on the board of Lument Finance Trust, Inc. Mr. Keenan previously held the position of Chief Executive Officer & Director at Advantage Insurance, Inc., Principal at The Cypress Group LLC, Executive Chairman at Medicus Insurance Holdings, Inc., President at CYS Investments LLC, President for JMP Capital LLC, Financial Analyst at Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Managing Director at Savvian LLC.
Walter C. Keenan received an undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University.
José Alberto Sosa-Lloréns has advised clients on banking regulatory matters related to international banking, mergers, corporate reorganizations, securities activities of banks and has served as issuer's counsel in securities transactions of financial institutions, including tender offers and IPOs. He also has actively worked in the organization of international banks and financial entities, investment companies, investment advisory firms and securities broker dealers. Another significant part of his practice includes serving as bond counsel and underwriters counsel in public finance transactions of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, its instrumentalities and political subdivisions. He has served as advisor to governmental entities in connection with the enactment of public finance legislation.
José has served as lead local counsel to private consortia bidding for public-private partnerships in various infrastructure projects in Puerto Rico, including representing the successful bidder for the 40-year lease of the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, the largest airport in the Caribbean region and the first airport under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Pilot Program.
José has been engaged as counsel in various regulatory matters related to securities broker dealers, investment advisors and investment companies. His practice includes representing clients before the Commissioner of Financial Institutions, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), before the Corporate Finance Division. In addition to his regulatory and transactional work, José has represented securities broker dealers in securities arbitrations before FINRA and in complex mediation proceedings.
Lcdo. Milton Méndez, CFE
Milton Méndez Law
Patricia Hernández
Avila Law
Rafael Fernández
FV Bank
Thomas Pirro
The Alacer Group
El Lcdo. Milton Méndez Falcon es abogado, notario y Examinador de Fraudes Certificado. Es graduado de la Escuela de Derecho de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. Su experiencia profesional inicia investigando situaciones de suma complejidad en casos de corrupción donde se defraudaba al Gobierno de Puerto Rico. Posteriormente ha participado en investigaciones de fraude en instituciones financieras y empresas. Es conferenciante en Puerto Rico, Islas Vírgenes Británicas, Venezuela, Guatemala, Panamá, México y Uruguay en temas sobre lavado de dinero, ética corporativa y fraude. Fue vicepresidente del Capítulo de Puerto Rico de la Asociación de examinadores de Fraude Certificados. Fue profesor Universitario dictando cursos de “Contabilidad Forense” y “Aspectos Legales de la Investigación de Fraudes”.
Ha realizado debidas diligencias a programas de cumplimiento a bancos en Estados Unidos, Puerto Rico, República Dominicana, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panamá y Nicaragua. Dicta los cursos de “Prevención de Lavado de Dinero, Marco legal en Puerto Rico” y “Responsabilidad ética del abogado en la prevención de lavado dinero” para el Instituto de Educación Práctica del Colegio de Abogados. Adiestró a fiscales y personal del Departamento de Justicia de Puerto Rico sobre temas de lavado de dinero en 2016. Adiestró También a jueces en 2018. Trabajó por siete años como Gerente de Cumplimiento de BNC International Banking, (antes Caracas International) en San Juan, Puerto Rico. Se desempeñó Global Sanctions Officer de la División de Crímenes Financieros y Cumplimiento de Banco Popular de Puerto Rico. Formó parte del ACAMS Task Force para desarrollar el examen de Risk Management. Actualmente se desempeña como consultor independiente en las áreas de prevención de lavado de dinero, OFAC y prevención de fraude.
Patricia M. Hernandez is a founding partner of AVILA, serves as the firm's Managing Partner, and is one of the leaders in the Banking & Financial Services practice, as well as the Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions department.
Ms. Hernandez has decades of experience representing domestic and international banks, financial institutions, money services businesses, and lending companies in all aspects of regulatory, compliance, lending, and transactional matters. She regularly represents clients before the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, and several other regulatory agencies. She often assists banks in negotiating and complying with enforcement actions. She also counsels U.S. and foreign clients on the effects of OFAC regulations concerning Venezuela, Cuba, and other sanctioned parties.
Ms. Hernandez has specialized knowledge in lending transactions, including asset-backed, trade-finance, factoring, and Ex-Im Bank financing. She has exceptional experience in corporate matters, including acquisitions, corporate formation, and review and preparation of contracts for all types of transactions. She regularly counsels foreign businesses who wish to launch their products and services in the U.S.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, and a Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the University of Miami. Ms. Hernandez currently serves on the Board of the Financial & International Business Association (FIBA), and previously served as its General Counsel. She is also a Board Member and Past President of the South Florida Banking Institute (SFBI), and a member of the Florida Association of Managing Partners. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Rafael Fernández has 19 years of experience in the banking industry with 17 of them in BSA/AML Compliance. He has worked in local institutions as well as in other International Financial Entities where he was able to oversee Audits, System Validations, complex investigations along with many other projects. He is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, Certified Homeland Protection Associate and was part of the Puerto Rico second Drug Enforcement Administration Citizens Academy. Rafael currently works as the Compliance Manager at FV Bank International and is in charge of supervising the day to day operations of the Compliance.
Tom Pirro joined The Alacer Group as Global Sales Executive in September 2020, bringing with him over four decades of experience in the Anti Money Laundering and Fraud prevention industry.
Throughout his career, Tom has exhibited an unparalleled talent for identifying new business opportunities and crafting tailored strategies that address clients' unique challenges. His exceptional communication skills and strategic acumen enable him to bridge the gap between technical intricacies and business objectives, facilitating seamless collaborations between clients and internal teams.
Mr. Pirro began his career working on Wall Street as a compliance analyst and has never looked back. His strong passion for KYC and Due Diligence set him on a course that led to becoming a fraud investigator. It was during this time when Tom uncovered the largest known Nigerian fraud ever perpetrated on Wall Street and in 1994 he was the subject of a Sixty Minutes interview titled “A Free Ride”. Mr. Pirro was also instrumental in the indictment and conviction of Jordan Belford (The Wolf of Wall Street) in 1999. Further, he assisted the FBI, CIA and the Manhattan District Attorney Office in uncovering multiple fraudulent activities within the brokerage industry. Later in his career, Tom became General Manager of Equifax’s Brokerage Division where he continued his fight against Money Laundering and Fraud.
Tom's commitment to excellence extends beyond the boardroom. He is a September 11th survivor, an advocate for fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, both within his teams and the organizations he serves and believes that empowering individuals with the right knowledge and tools is essential for driving innovation and maintaining a competitive edge in today's dynamic business landscape.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Tom and his wife of 37 years, Michele, love nothing more than spending time with their two daughters, playing with the grandchildren, and tending to their many horses on a ranch north of Atlanta, Georgia. Tom is an avid supporter of charitable causes related to education and community development. He believes in giving back to the communities that have contributed to his success and is actively involved in initiatives that make a positive impact.
Tom’s visionary leadership, coupled with his deep understanding of client needs, plays a pivotal role in positioning The Alacer Group as a trusted partner for businesses seeking innovative financial crime solutions.