Home: Scarsdale, NY. Age: 49. Birthplace: Caracas, Venezuela. Title: CEO & Founder. Significant other: The love of my life, Maggie. Alma mater: The University of Chicago (MS); The American University (MA); Universidad Metropolitana (BBA). Languages spoken: English and Spanish.
Recent professional development: Part-time teaching assistant with the Industry Professionals In-Residence (IPR) program. Latest contribution to others: Member of the Executive Advisory Council for the Physical Sciences Division (PSD) at the University of Chicago. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Starting my own company; completing the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program. Hobbies: Snow skiing, cooking, traveling. Recent travel or adventure: Family trip to The Netherlands and Belgium in mid-April 2025. Last book read: Is Earth Exceptional?, by Jack Szostak and Mario Livio. Recently viewed and recommended: Free Solo documentary.
Personality profile: Persistent, never take no for an answer, disciplined, smart, responsible. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Trusted. Moral compass: My wife, my church. How do you define a perfect friendship? My children. What is your greatest joy? Spending quality time with my wife and kids. What is your greatest fear? Not being able to be there for my kids when they need me. What word or phrase do you use far too often? It is what it is. Face it. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Doctors and attorneys.
What was your first paying job? Interest rates trader. What was your favorite college course? Financial Mathematics. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Playing soccer. What book have you repeatedly read? Liar’s Poker, by Michael Lewis. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My brother, Renie; my wife, Maggie. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Never assume anything.
What change would you like to see in the world?
The end of illiteracy.
What message do you want to send out into the world? When life punches you in the face, stand up again. What mega-trend most excites you? AI and machine learning. What mega-trend most concerns you? Excessive cell phone and iPad use by kids.
What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Ben Stiller. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Jesus. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A professional soccer player. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My Bloomberg terminal. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my family in Vail, walking around town in the summer. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? My wedding day.
Personal motto: Keep fighting no matter how dark the horizon may look like. Favorite quote: “Crescat scientia; vita ex-colatur” (Let knowledge grow from more to more, and so be human life enriched, University of Chicago motto).
