Hector Rodriguez was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Lorain, Ohio.  In 1968 he arrived in Washington DC after completion of service as a Viet Nam Era Captain in the United States Army Strategic Communications Command.

He was appointed as Program Development Specialist and was assigned to a White House cabinet level agency under former Vice President Hubert Humphrey’s office. He worked with the Federal departments and national and community organizations in developing initiatives to reverse poverty and increase participation in federal programs.

In 1970 Mr. Rodriguez served as a special consultant to the US Commissioner of Education where he coordinated programs advancing education opportunities for children in low income municipal school systems.   

In 1972 he engaged our nations’ urban crisis at the National Urban Coalition. As Deputy Vice President for Cities Operations, Mr. Rodriguez worked with community, government and industry leaders on solutions for our riot torn urban centers. He assisted in organizing and managing 60 urban coalitions in our nation’s cities. He received the “Outstanding Service Award” NUC’s highest recognition for his service and contributions to our cities.

Mr. Rodriguez authored and presented the original proposal to the DC City Council, establishing what is now the DC Office of Latino Affairs which continues to generate millions of dollars in services to thousands of needy residents in the District of Columbia.

In 1991 in response to disturbances in the Mt. Pleasant /Columbia Heights neighborhoods Mr. Rodriguez launched the Las Americas Avenue Development Corporation and created a Tri-Neighborhood international tourism model advancing small business incubators, economic development and job creation. He also created a plan for the DC International Enterprise Zone.

Mr. Rodriguez was appointed to a cabinet post in 1998. As Director, DC Office of International Affairs he conducted protocol with embassies and high ranking officials in behalf of the Mayor and the District of Columbia. He also developed programs to position the District for international trade, commerce and investment. Among his accomplishments was a trade agreement he authored between DC and the Republic of Panama Chambers advancing trade and  commerce .

By nature Hector Rodriguez is a creative, solutions- driven institution builder. His professional and private life has been dedicated to public service, political participation and community economic development.

Selected civic activities and achievements:

Twice presented testimony before the US Senate- DC Full Vote/Latino participation.US government;Multiple testimonies before the DC Council- housing, economic development, education, international;Vice Chair, Committee to Support the DC Home Rule Charter-1974;Candidate, DC Council-1979,1980, 2002;Member, George Washington University Center for Small Business Advancement;Guest /Delegate White House-Summit of the Americas, Miami 1994;PresidentClinton; International Committee-US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce;VIP Escort Officer ,US Defense Department;Grand Marshall, DC Latin American Festival.

Selected Awards:

White House Communications Award- for providing support to the President of the US; George Washington Honor Medal-from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge; Latino Community Achievement Award- as author DC Office of Latino Affairs; Exceptional Service Citation-from the US Secretary of Transportation; Distinguished Community Service Award-New Human Foundation.

Mr. Rodriguez has a Bachelor of Arts from Kent State University where he majored in Communications and Political Science. He has proven leadership abilities with expertise in government operations, program formulation, economic development and international affairs.

Currently he is President of Rodriguez Communications, a consulting firm he founded in 2003 with the goal of connecting strategic markets and expanding business networks.

Brenda E. Cortez

Brenda is a living kidney donor and children’s book author, who has a passion for helping others. She was inspired to write her first book, My Mom is Having Surgery, after her daughter centered her college entrance essay around Brenda’s donation and the inspiration she felt from it. Brenda is now a strong advocate for living donation awareness. Because of this advocacy and her passion for helping others, Brenda came up with the slogan, HOWL: Help Others with Love. Learn more about HOWL, and Brenda’s organ donation focused children’s books below.

Gianna is the Global Head of Events for the SoftBank Vision Fund where she produces elite events that support the Portfolio Company and Investor Ecosystem, brand and internal culture. She previously spend close to ten years producing Google’s largest, most high-profile events and experiences. She loves to create memorable experiences with flair and impact. She says Each day I’m so eager to attack the day, but not just as a professional event planner. I’m eager to meet my whole life with the same level of commitment and enthusiasm.

Whether it be my dedication to my job, my own self care and personal goals or the many hats I wear as a wife, mother, author - I believe we all have the ability to choose to manifest our perfect life.

Certified interior designer. Certified sommelier. Events Planner Extraordinaire. Published Author. Wife & Mother.

Gianna shares insights from her experience producing high profile, big events and juggling multiple balls in work and life

Barry French Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer/Chairman of Traq Global Ltd. He has significant experience in business development, management, strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, networking, investor relations, and sales and distribution. Barry is also knowledgeable in the areas of product development, software development strategy, and partner development. Prior to Traq Global Ltd., Barry spent several successful years with Cybex International and Star Trac. A graduate of the College of William and Mary, Barry was a baseball player for the school and majored in kinesiology. He is also the President and Founder of the International Concussion Organization, a nonprofit organization.

TRAZER is the revolutionary patented technology of TRAQ Global Ltd. that offers specialized interactive testing and training programs for concussion management, orthopedic rehabilitation, senior health and injury prevention. Clinicians, athletic trainers, and coaches are provided with data, giving them the ability to make strategic and confident Return-2-Play (R2P) and Return-2-Activities of Daily Living (R2ADL) for their patients.

The TRAZER technology uses computer-based simulation to create an accurate analog of the functional challenges of sports, work, leisure and daily living activities. TRAZER tracks 25 points on the human body.  This allows core physical and physiologic performance to be quantified as reaction time, acceleration, speed, endurance, jump height, cardiovascular efficiency, caloric expenditure, and distance traveled.

The TRAZER Sports Simulator uses full body sensing, 3-D graphics and breakthrough measurement analytics to provide information directly related to your patient’s healthy performance capabilities. In the event of injury, our patented baseline data can be compared to future Return-to-Play TRAZER Tests post injury to ensure a safe and healthy return.

TRAZER also provides healthcare providers and clinicians with standardized, objective, actionable data that can be accessed instantly through our HIPAA compliant Cloud website. This immediate access to TRAZER’s reports and test results gives each person involved, whether it be the patient, parent, coach or healthcare provider, a unique, relevant and invaluable opportunity to better assist in the return-to-play and return-to-work decisions.