Rodrick T. Miller, CEO
INVEST PUERTO RICO by c. natasha richburg for the urban sentinel Rodrick T. Miller, CEO of Invest Puerto Rico, is on
I’ve always maintained the goal of my work directly
a mission to promote the Island of Puerto Rico as a
impacting people’s lives. The most rewarding aspect of
competitive investment jurisdiction that attracts new
my work is when someone comes and tells me that their
businesses and investment. Mr. Miller’s professional
child decided to stay in the community because they
journey as the eldest of Northern and Dorothy Millers’
were able to get a quality job due to a global firm that
four children carries with him the vision of past
I helped to bring to the market, or that their business
experiences regarding how economic development can
is thriving as a result of a policy that I championed.
“.... pull people out of poverty…”. Mr. Miller’s higher
Throughout my career, I’ve been proactive in gaining a
education path includes a Public Policy degree from
comprehensive understanding of the field, finding good
Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government
mentors in business and government, and never being
and a graduate diploma in International Finance from
afraid to take measured risks.
Tec de Monterrey (Mexico) as a Fulbright Fellow. This interview with Mr. Miller illustrates how under his leadership, Invest Puerto Rico has catapulted into
Describe the beauty of Puerto Rico. Much of the beauty
a position that affords individuals and companies an
of Puerto Rico is packed in its tremendous biodiversity
opportunity to participate in the economic development
in a relatively small, approximately 3,500-square mile
of Puerto Rico.
landscape.
This includes 8 different microclimates
ranging from tropical to mountainous to rainforest How did you emerge as one of the foremost economic
to desert. This diversity offers those who live here the
development leaders in the United States? I began
opportunity to experience wildlife and nature in many
a career in economic development after spending
forms within a relatively short drive, no matter where
some time in the private sector. While my mind was
one lives. From exploring Cueva Ventana in Arecibo
engaged intellectually, I didn’t feel as if the work that
to soaking in the rivers at Angelito’s Trail in El Yunque,
I did mattered outside of corporate profits. So I made
one can always find new ways to engage nature. From
a conscious shift into the economic development
a cultural perspective, Puerto Rico is a melting pot in a
field. Over the last 16 years, I’ve performed numerous
stronger sense than even the mainland United States.
functions in this industry, being diligent in learning
The fusion of Latin, African, and European cultures has
all that I can. Whether structuring the financing of a
resulted in a panoply of food, music, and entertainment
major stadium project or developing strategies to boost
that parallels communities much larger in size. Whether
revenue and opportunity for local small businesses,
checking out an exhibit at the Puerto Rican Museum URBAN SENTINEL MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER
53