Background

Rafael joined Development Counsellors International in 2007, after working for five years in the mortgage industry. There, he gained valuable sales experience by servicing numerous existing clients and researching potential customers. As a member of DCI's Prospect Development/Qualification (PDQ) team, Rafael puts his lead identification skills to work helping his clients find the right companies to invest, relocate or expand in their regions. Three words that describe Rafael: ambitious, committed and personable. He has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Iona College in New Rochelle, New York.

Rafael's Passion for Places

As a first-generation New Yorker whose family hails from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, Rafael believes that his heart belongs to three countries. But while nearly all of his family lives either in the United States or on these two islands, Rafael loves to travel and meet new people from diverse cultures. So far, he's been to several Caribbean countries, including Aruba and his parents' native homes, but the destinations that remain at the top of his "To Visit" list include Spain, Brazil and Japan. 

Despite Rafael's passion for travel, he plans to stay in his hometown - New York City - forever. For him, this melting pot of cultures and people has it all.

Notable Results

• On behalf of Proexport Colombia, Rafael helped to secure more than 40 meetings with high level executives including 2 site visits within the first year of the program. Thanks to these face-to-face meetings, Colombia continues generate inquiries from new investors across multiple sectors in the United States.

•  Rafael has maintained relationships and supervised each PDQ program from start to finish for several clients such as Invest in Spain, Greater Rochester Enterprise, and the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County (Pennsylvania).

• Rafael has taken the lead to extend DCI’s comprehensive network of location advisors and site selectors serving North America. From his effective outreach and participation at industry events, DCI continues to develop strong relationships with companies such as KPMG, Deloitte, Cushman & Wakefield, Grubb & Ellis, McCallum Sweeney Consulting and Jones Lang LaSalle.