Luis Rivera Marín

Luis Gerardo Rivera Marín is an attorney-at-law and notary and a former secretary of state of Puerto Rico. Prior to this designation, Rivera Marín served as executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and as the secretary of consumer affairs of Puerto Rico. On July 13, 2019, Rivera Marín announced his pending resignation after allegations of his involvement in the Telegramgate scandal.[1] His resignation took effect on July 31, 2019.[2]

Luis Rivera Marín
25th Secretary of State of Puerto Rico
In office January 2, 2017 – July 16, 2019
Governor	Ricardo Rosselló
Preceded by	Víctor Suárez Meléndez
Succeeded by	Pedro Pierluisi (acting)
Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company
In office March 23, 2012 – January 1, 2013
Governor	Luis Fortuño
Preceded by	Mario González Lafuente
Succeeded by	Ingrid Rivera Rocafort
Personal details
Born	San Juan, Puerto Rico, U.S.
Political party	New Progressive
Other political affiliations	Republican
Spouse(s)	Carmen Margarita
Children	2
Education	University of Massachusetts, Amherst (BA) New York University (MBA) University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras (JD)

Biography

Rivera Marín graduated from the Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola and from the Colegio Maristas. While at Maristas, he was a classmate and friend of Luis Fortuño who would later become governor of Puerto Rico.

After graduating from high school, he pursued several degrees. He first obtained a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and then pursued graduate studies, obtaining a master's degree in international business from the NYU Stern School of Business and a juris doctor from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law.[3][4]

Upon finishing his academic studies, Rivera Marín set up his own law firm. While at his law firm, he worked pro bono in favor of Dominicans residing in Puerto Rico, particularly with immigration issues.[4]

But after several years of private practice he became a public servant after his high school friend, Luis Fortuño, who was by now governor of Puerto Rico, asked him to join his cabinet. He was first appointed as Secretary of Consumer Affairs of Puerto Rico and a few years after was concurrently appointed as executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, overseeing a budget of $100 million USD.

After Fortuño was defeated in the 2012 general election, Rivera Marín returned to his private life. During that time, he also appeared as an analyst on political shows in radio and television on the island.

Then, in 2016, after Ricardo Rosselló was elected governor, Rivera Marín was appointed as Secretary of State of Puerto Rico. On July 16, 2019, he changed his end date from July 30 to that day amidst the Telegramgate scandal involving the governor of Puerto Rico and his closest officials.[5] His immediate successor Pedro Pierluisi was sworn in as acting Secretary of State on July 31, 2019.[2] However, Pierluisi has not been approved by the Puerto Rican Congress.[6][2]

Personal life

Rivera Marín is married to Margarita, a licensed architect, with whom he has two daughters, Carmen Margarita and Ana.[4]

References

1. Rosselló Makes Two Appointments
2. https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/01/us/puerto-rico-governor-secretary-of-state-thursday/index.html
3. Rodriguez, Willin (December 7, 2016). "Continúan los nombramientos para el gabinete de Rosselló". El Vocero (in Spanish). Retrieved December 7, 2016.
4. "Luis Gerardo Rivera Marín es un secretario repleto de pasiones". Primera Hora (in Spanish). May 28, 2011. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
5. "Rivera Marín sale de su puesto antes de lo previsto". El Nuevo Dia (in Spanish). July 17, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
6. https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-puerto-rico-governor-20190801-nupt5kwhgzgtparycx3ijylzhq-story.html

External links

Media related to Luis G. Rivera Marín at Wikimedia Commons