Edith Perez
Deputy Director, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in Florida, director of the Breast Program, and the Serene M. and Frances C. Purling Prof. of Medicine at Mayo Medical School. Dr. Perez has authored more than 555 research articles in books, and journals. She’s been named 2010 Mayo Clinic Outstanding Course Director.

"As a physician and a cancer researcher, I am enthusiastic to be a part of the exciting progress that is being made in breast cancer research, not only here in Jacksonville, but worldwide. We, in the medical community, are working hard to gain a better understanding of the molecular causes of this disease so that we can develop improved therapies to optimize patient care.
I am honored that many people of varying ethnicities participate in this work with the Mayo Clinic, and that I’m able to invite investigators from many countries, including Latin America, to make our breast cancer clinical trials available to their patients. Doing so provides options to improve the care of not only Latino patients but also anyone dealing with this serious but treatable disease."

Mario Rubio
Rubio is a retired executive with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, where he worked in government affairs for 34 years. Mayor Alvin Brown appointed him a member of his staff as State Affairs Liaison responsible for federal relations. Rubio is part of a legislative advocacy team at the Jacksonville City Hall.

"My participation on several non-profits boards and my involvement several years ago as member and chairman of the Mayors Hispanic American Advisory Board allowed me the opportunity to listen, understand, and communicate to city leadership the issues impacting the Latino community.
One of the most important attributes of our Hispanic heritage is our willingness to give back to the community and help to create an environment where varying needs are accepted and embraced.
The Annual Achieving The Dream Scholarship Program which helps Hispanic students continue their education continues to be the most personally rewarding activity that I have had the pleasure to be involved in."

Ed Perez
First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FCHCC) President Ed Perez is a Technical Director of IT at CSX Corporation. In his 37 tenure he has held multiple management roles. Ed serves on the Mayor Hispanic American Advisory Board and on the Community Research Advisory Board in Jacksonville.

"The greatest calling in life is to be a servant!  My mother inculcated these words in me at a very young age and I truly believe is one of the greatest privileges we are afforded in life.
I have had the opportunity to work with our Latino community in some of the poorest sections in North and Central America.  What I found to be consistent in the Latino community -that energizes me- is the fighting spirit and the undying will to succeed regardless of circumstances. It’s a chemistry the world is much in need of and could benefit from. We need to share it. I believe service is the price we pay for the place we occupy in the world. Exercising human kindness with no limits is what it is all about"

Marino Rodriguez
Marino is currently an Agency Field Executive with State Farm. He is new in the Jacksonville area and has a passion for helping the community. In his current role, he manages over twenty five independent contractors and he has participated in recruiting and hiring personal.

"I’m fortunate enough to be associated with State Farm and their agents, a company committed to enhance the communities where they do business.
The most rewarding aspect of this involvement is the opportunity to help empower others to achieve great things. I also have a share in State Farm’s commitment to education and the goal to reduce our high school dropout rate, especially among Latinos.
Our efforts at the Duval County’s Principal Exchange Program allow us (parents at large) to help the community understand the challenges of our local educators. I hope that my small contributions to my community can help leave something bigger and better than me."

Paola Parra
Founding President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Northeast Florida, Parra served as President of the Jacksonville Women Lawyers’ Association, President of local Rotaract and Board Member of the Junior League of Jacksonville. She was recognized as an Up & Comer by The Business Journal.

"Among the many fulfilling experiences of serving as Chair of the Mayor Hispanic American Advisory Board (MHAAB) has been the successful Achieving the Dream Scholarship Program where we awarded $45,000.00 to deserving college and graduate Hispanic students on the First Coast. Today, with the efforts of MHAAB and the Duval Health Department’s Hispanic Alliance, we will soon be publishing La Guía, the city’s first Bilingual Hispanic Directory of resources.
In my practice, I represent many Spanish-speaking clients and the experience has been rewarding.
I take pride in the ability to serve those who may not otherwise have access to the courts or to our legal system due to language barriers."

Wilfredo Gonzalez
Mr. Gonzalez was district director of the SBA’s Washington, D.C. He has also served as associate director of Equal Employment Opportunity & Civil Rights with the U. S. Department of State. He is a Health, Education & Welfare Fellow since 1976, having served in West Africa and South America.

"Over the last 15 years I have been a member of various organizations providing services to the community.
Besides my duties as the District Director for SBA operations in 43 of Florida’s counties, I could work very closely with the various ethnic/racial chambers of commerce to enhance their programs in serving their respective communities.
I see myself as a catalyst between people in need and people with resources to collaborate in making our city a better place to live.
I’m also thankful for my ten years on the University of North Florida Board of Trustees that could contribute to the increase of minorities in students’ admission and faculty population."

Jose Rodriguez
Rodriguez is a member of Jacksonville’s Children’s Hispanic Healthcare Initiative, a network that delivers comprehensive healthcare to Hispanic children in NE Florida. Among the most recent recognitions, Jose Rodriguez received the BCBSF Champion of the Year Award for outstanding achievements.

"Although my background in medical sciences, I’ve always been interested and focused on education. The Hispanic dropout rate in the US is exponential, and that is where I put my efforts to make a difference. Counseling, academic tutoring, financial support, scholarships are mostly needed.
For the past 6 years I’ve been reviewing scholarship nominations of Hispanic students and each story is unique and special.
It’s very gratifying to be involved with the MHAAB and the FCHCC in the Achieving the Dream Scholarships Program.
Being a Hispanic today, it’s not a matter of just heritage, it’s key for the success of our state and our country due to the incremental growth of our population."