Josué Rivera

Josué E. Rivera is a Puerto Rican financier, policy advisor, and social advocate. He serve as the State Director of USDA Rural Development in Puerto Rico.^{[1] [2] [3]}. He focuses on implementing policies that empower communities through critical infrastructure financing, partnership, affordable housing, and enhancing access to capital for rural-based businesses that spur economic prosperity. ^{[4] [5]}

Early life and education[edit]

Born in a teacher's union Hospital del Maestro in Hato Rey, and raised in Toa Baja. Mr. Rivera graduated as an honor roll student from the President Washington Academy in May 2008 and studied at the University of Puerto Rico at Bayamón ^[6]. While attending college, Rivera was the chapter president of the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association in the UPR at Bayamón.^[7] Rivera later served as national secretary, treasurer, and president, an organization founded by a law student at Tulane University, Kenneth D. McClintock and Georgetown University,Luis Fortuño, who later became Secretary of State of Puerto Rico and Governor of Puerto Rico, respectively. ^[8]

Career[edit]

Rivera previously practiced in the Audit and Assurance services in an associate-level role for the globally-known PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. (PwC). He also practiced as an associate in the local accounting firm of Falcón Sánchez & Associates. During this time, he was the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA), Puerto Rico Professional Chapter. Rivera also worked as a policy advisor with the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration during the administration of Ricardo Rosselló.^{[6] [9]}

In 2018, President Donald Trump appointed Rivera as the youngest State Director of USDA Rural Development in Puerto Rico history. Under his leadership, the agency completed the largest public utility debt restructuring in Rural Development's portfolio history under PROMESA Title VI, a transaction in excess of $400 million involving the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA).^[10] He promoted the good stewardship of lands, water, renewable energy, wildlife, and environment conservation by working with US Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Focused on restoring water to rural communities after disaster delivering funding to non-PRASA rural community water systems. ^{[11] [12] [13] [14]}

Rivera has been invited to speak about Puerto Rico Economic Development at forums organized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York^[15], Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association, Hunter College, CUNY Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños^[16], University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus^[17], and in May 2017 at the Conservatives International conference. ^[18]

On September 1, 2020 El Nuevo Dia newspaper reported that Rivera was mentioned as a potential nominee for the Puerto Rico's Financial Oversight and Management Board. ^[19][20]

Community service and social advocacy[edit]

Rivera has been an advocate of statehood for Puerto Rico and good governance. He is the Chairman of the Young Republican Federation of Puerto Rico and a former National President of the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association (PRSSA). ^[21] Rivera became a member of the Civil Air Patrol where he earned the Awards and decorations of the Civil Air Patrol#General Ira C. Eaker Award, the second-highest award in the US Air Force Auxiliary cadet program. In December 2009 the Puerto Rico Wing Civil Air Patrol awarded him the Cadet of Year due to his efforts in volunteer services and exemplary leadership as Cadet Commander of Toa Baja Cadet Squadron. He also earned the Cadet Non-commissioned Officer of the Year in 2005. In September 2017, he participated in a humanitarian flight to volunteer for Friends of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

Awards and recognitions[edit]

His commitment to community service earned him awards by multiple non-profit organizations, such as the congressionally-chartered U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol and 2008 Youth of the Year Award by the National Exchange Club of San Juan. He received the Toa Baja Citizenship Medal in May 2008 and the Puerto Rico's State Legislature Honor Medal in 2008 and 2005. In December 2017, the Association of the University of the Puerto Rico Alumni and Friends Abroad (UPRAA) recognized Josué with the Distinguished Alumni Award for his Hurricane Irma and María recovery efforts in the Rayburn House Office Building.^[22] During his first year in office, Josué received a Gears of Government Award from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in 2018 for hurricane recovery efforts. ^[23] In September 2020 he was nominated by the Government Executive magazine as Theodore Roosevelt Government Leadership Award Directors Category honoring an all-star team of federal officials and industry leaders for outstanding achievement in delivering on the government's promise to serve the American people.^[24]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

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