For over 70 years, the Puerto Rico Builders Association (PRBA), a non-profit organization, has strived to serve developers, investors, and builders in the changing social, economic, and environmental ecosystem of our Puerto Rico. Established in 1951, we have been recognized as a relevant force in the construction and real estate sectors of our economy, by government and private sector decision-making leaders, providing the platform for connecting with all players of the real estate industry.
THE PRBA’s mission is to promote and lead planned development that is safe, sustainable, and serve as an economic driver for our island, working hand in hand with the private and public sectors in Puerto Rico.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Pinsy Rivera, Chairwoman; Fernando Sumaza, Vice Chairman; Arch. Antonio Gárate, Secretary; Waleska Rivera, Treasurer; Agustín Rojo, Immediate Past Chairman, and Nory W. Rivera, Esq., Executive Director. DIRECTORS: Adolfo González Santini, PE; Alejandro Brito; Alejandro Longo; Alfredo Martínez-Álvarez, Jr.; Cristian Bernaschina, Esq.; Emilio Colón-Zavala, PE; Federico Sánchez-Ortiz; Fernando Muñiz,PE; Gabriel Jiménez; George Pavarini, AIA; Héctor Javier Rivera, PE; Javier García; Jorge Guerrero, PE; Juan Carlos Muñoz; Natalia Guzmán; Omar Mues, CPA; Orlando Méndez, PE; Pablo Dardet, Esq.; Patricio Martínez-Lorenzo, Esq.; Rafael Rojo; Ramón J. de León, PE; Roberto J. Trápaga Fonalledas; Vanessa de Mari-Monserrate, AIA;
Victoria Colón, and Wilma Alejandro.
The PRBA and our members have delivered world-class products in different real estate segments such as Residential, Tourism, Commercial and Industrial. Our members have been able to increase their services and production of goods, with a strong export activity to the United States, Latin America and other countries, many benefitting from Act 20 and smart business planning.
Pinsy Rivera Ortiz is the Director of Empresas Rivera Siaca (ERS), a family-owned conglomerate founded in 1974, with a primary focus in the commercial/housing and development of real estate, primarily in Puerto Rico, along with various other businesses.
Rivera-Ortiz set out over 30 years ago to tackle challenges that were faced by the population of Puerto Rico. Pinsy’s uncanny ability to see opportunity has brought innovation and creativity to the real estate industry as she was able to successfully build over 1 million square feet of construction projects. Her understanding of the vast challenges of the Puerto Rico real estate market has allow Pinsy to tackle each project with assertiveness, clarity and with a unique ability to envision what others simply can’t see.She has made a steadfast commitment to carry on her father’s legacy, the industrialist and engineer Luis Rivera Siaca, founder of ERS. This has led her to incorporate her father’s vision and mission “to improve the lives of Puerto Rican families and to look out for those less fortunate” in ambitious projects to create affordable housing to underserved communities with a design that combines empathy and dignity to new homeowners.She is also responsible for managing the leasing, administration, maintenance, and development of the commercial spaces that house the central offices of government agencies, which have a significant economic impact on the Island’s construction, design, architecture, materials, and related service sectors.Adding to her diverse professional journey, Pinsy is a turnaround senior executive. She assumed the Presidency of Grana, an iconic Puerto Rican textile company and part of ERS’s portfolio, where she led the company’s culture and operating structure transformation from a local conservative approach to one with a competitive global vision resulting in profit margin growth from 17% to 32%.Honoring her belief that economic development and nature preservation can coexist in perfect balance, Pinsy serves as President of Agro Excel Caribbean, a new eco-farm venture dedicated to grow native Puerto Rican limes. The new farm has surpassed its production goals and is proud of its accomplishment of meeting the demand of Puerto Rican consumers.Pinsy continues to stay focused on opportunities in and outside Puerto Rico as she searches for projects to exemplify her passion for design, sustainability, and affordability in both the housing and eco-farming arena.Acknowledging the importance of community involvement, Pinsy serves as part of the Board of CNE (Centro para la Nueva Economía), and from 2019 to 2024 she served as the President of the Board of the Ricky Martin Foundation.Pinsy obtained a bachelor’s degree in food marketing at Saint Joseph University in Philadelphia, where she later obtained a master’s degree in international marketing. She recently, completed the Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School. She is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), a prestigious global networking platform for executives. Is also an active member of various trade organizations such as the National Association of Home Builders, Urban Land Institute, and the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association. Pinsy currently serves a two-year term as President of the Puerto Rico Builders Association.She considers being the mom to her three college-bound sons her biggest accomplishment ever.
Antonio Gárate, a Registered Architect with over 25 years of experience, holds the NCARB certification and the LEED AP BD+C accreditation. As Vice President and Director of Development at McCormack Baron Salazar, he oversees finance, design, construction, and legal teams, collaborating with external partners to create large-scale, mixed-income urban neighborhoods in Puerto Rico. His portfolio includes $190M+ in developments such as Renaissance Square and Bayshore Villas in San Juan and Emerald Vista in Caguas.
Previously, he was a partner at Alvarez Diaz & Villalon, where he worked in large residential, commercial, and institutional developments, and lead green building initiatives like NGBS and LEED certifications. Antonio also worked on industrial and residential projects with The Stellar Group, a design-build company, and as a developer in Puerto Rico. A Carnegie Mellon graduate, he holds a Bachelor of Architecture and an MS in Building Performance & Diagnostics, specializing in sustainable building systems and energy studies.
Fernando L. Sumaza Díaz is the Managing Partner and Chairman of the Board of Directors at West LLC with extensive experience in construction and development in Puerto Rico spanning 34 years.
Mr. Sumaza Díaz holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, where he was active in student organizations, including the Latin American Association and WCPR Radio Station.
In the construction industry, Mr. Sumaza Días has 34 years of experience in construction and development, overseeing the management of various projects and corporate growth.
Sumaza Díaz has earned numerous certifications and attended conferences from 1987 to 2025 related to construction, finance, and technology, including LEED seminars, Novogradac Certification on Low Income Housing Tax Credits, conferences on affordable housing, New Market Tax Credit, and specialized certifications in electrical and construction fields.
His skills include advanced corporate leadership, crisis management, construction management, financial cash flow projection, federal proposal expertise, and technical troubleshooting in electrical and HVAC systems.
He also held leadership roles in the Young President’s Organization (YPO) Puerto Rico chapter, including Chapter Chair and Education Chair from 2013 to 2016.
He is managing partner and founder of multiple companies including West LLC, Sofrito Produce LLC, SD Holding LLC, El Cuartito LLC, and El Market LLC, Lote 23 LLC with activities ranging from construction to film production, restaurant ownership and a non profit Business Incubator.
Mr. Sumaza Díaz has been a member of the Puerto Rico Builders Association since 2020 and a Member of its Board of Directors since 2021. In January 2026 he will start serving as Vice Chair of the PRBA. He also serves on boards and committees related to construction and housing finance, not only in the PRBA but in the Associated General Contractors of America, Puerto Rico Chapter, leading initiatives for contractor education and housing finance awareness.
President of Danosa Caribbean, Inc., Waleska Rivera is aninfluential Puerto Rican entrepreneur known for her leadership and activemission of initiatives that strengthen economic and social development of theisland. Ms. Rivera is President of Danosa Caribbean, Inc., roofing membranesmanufacturer, and market leader that has begun to emerge as an exporter toLatin America, the Caribbean and United States.
Rivera has held multiple business leadership positions suchas: former President of the Puerto Rico Manufacturer Association and currentlyis the Puerto Rico Builder’s Association’s Treasurer, among others, fosteringcollaboration and partnerships with other sectors, to create initiatives toimprove economic development.
Her commitment to business development in the region has ledher to lead various diplomatic missions, including delegations to Cuba.
Ms. Rivera holds a BA with honors in Accountingfrom the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez and an MBA in Industrial Managementfrom Inter American University. Ms. Rivera has received countless awards andrecognitions including Top 10 Business Leaders of Puerto Rico and theprestigious construction award Alejandro Herrero.
Agustín Rojo Montilla, an accomplished leader in real estate development and mortgage banking industry in Puerto Rico is a graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance. Mr. Rojo furthered his academic journey by obtaining a law degree from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico.
His professional path in real estate development commenced in 2001 at VRM Companies as an Assistant Project Manager, laying the foundation for fruitful a career. In 2003, Mr. Rojo pivoted to mortgage banking, joining FEMBi Mortgage as Marketing Manager.
His performance led to his promotion to Executive Vice President, where he significantly contributed to the firm's success in Puerto Rico until 2014 when Mr. Rojo returned to his roots in real estate development with VRM Companies in order to spearhead their expansion in the Dominican Republic market.
His leadership has been instrumental in the completion of the firms developments in Dominican Republic, most notably an 18-story, 77-unit high-rise residential development and two 288-unit multi-family projects.
Currently, Agustin, together with his partners and team, is overseeing a 92-unit apartment high rise and a commercial retail development in Dominican Republic, while also involved in VRM’s multiple developments in Puerto Rico and Florida.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Mr. Rojo was a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association’s board from 2009 to 2017 and was elected by his peers and served as president from 2013 to 2015.
Since 2014 Mr. Rojo has been a member of the Puerto Rico Builders Association's board exemplifying his dedication to the industry.
His commitment to excellence continues as he currently serves, in addition to his role at VRM Companies, as the President of the Puerto Rico Builders Association, striving to foster growth and innovation in the construction industry.
Nory W. Rivera, Esq., is the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Builders Association since September 2017. She arrived at the position one day before the passage of Hurricane Irma through Puerto Rico and two weeks before Hurricane María passed through the island.
Prior to her appointment at the Puerto Rico Builders Association, Nory worked for 22 years at El Nuevo Día, the leading newspaper in the Island, where she served as editor of Supplements, editor of the health magazine Salud al Día and for the last 16 years as editor of the Construction magazine, where she covered and analyzed issues related to the construction industry, mortgage banking and real estate. She has also worked as a professor in the Communication Program of the American University of Puerto Rico.
Rivera studied at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in Public Communication, a Master's degree in Journalism and a Juris Doctor from the School of Law.
