Team

Mr. Eric Santiago-Justiniano is the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO). Previously, he served as President of the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association. For the past 36 years, he has been directly involved in the economic development of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean through businesses, operations, and projects in the medical device industry.

Mr. Santiago graduated Summa Cum Laude in Economics and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a sub-specialty in Corporate Finance from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico. He also pursued professional studies in business strategy development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

From 1986 to 2022, Eric Santiago worked continuously in manufacturing operations at Baxter, Fenwal International, Inc., and Fresenius Kabi.

His extensive professional experience includes serving as Vice President of Operations in Puerto Rico, Vice President of Supply Chain for North America, Chief Financial Officer for Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the Cayman Islands, Global Manufacturing Controller for Fenwal, Inc., and Corporate Director of Finance and Strategic Planning at Baxter’s headquarters in Deerfield, Illinois.

From 2002 to 2006, Mr. Santiago served as Baxter’s liaison to the Puerto Rico government.

Eric Santiago conducted evaluations to establish manufacturing operations in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belgium, France, England, India, China, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

From 2017 to 2021, Mr. Eric Santiago served on the Boards of Directors of the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO) and the Puerto Rico Economic Development Bank.

In 2021, Mr. Eric Santiago Justiniano was appointed as a member of the Advisory Committee to the White House and the U.S. Department of Health on Blood and Tissue Safety and Availability of the Federal Department of Health and Human Services.

Eric has been a tireless advocate for youth development by sponsoring the Boy Scouts of America. He served as its President in Puerto Rico from 2010 to 2012. Recently, the Puerto Rico Council established the “Eric Santiago Justiniano” Award to recognize civic leaders who have contributed “beyond the call of duty” to Puerto Rican youth.

Mr. Eric Santiago Justiniano is currently married to Mrs. Janette Martinez, a retired teacher from the Puerto Rico Department of Education. They have two children: Eric Nelson and Emanuelle.

Carlos J. Ríos Pierluisi has built a solid career in the legal field and public service. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he has shown great perseverance in his professional ascent.

He holds a Master of Laws from Georgetown University, a Juris Doctor from the University of Puerto Rico, and a Bachelor's in Biochemistry from Villanova University.

His early professional steps included internships at the law firm Jiménez, Graffam & Lausell, the Puerto Rico Court of Appeals, and the Federal Court for the District of Puerto Rico between May 2014 and April 2015. These experiences provided a strong foundation for his career.

In May 2015, he began working as a Paralegal at Bird, Bird & Hestres under the supervision of Eugene F. Hestres Vélez. He also collaborated as a Research Assistant with Vivian I. Neptune Rivera, the Dean of the Law School, in drafting and reviewing a book on electronic evidence.

After passing the bar exam in October 2016, he returned to Bird, Bird & Hestres as an Associate Attorney, working in state and federal litigation.

In February 2017, he moved into public service as a Judicial Officer for the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, Hon. Mildred G. Pabón Charneco.

In April 2019, he joined the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company as an Executive Assistant and was promoted in January 2022 to General Legal Advisor and Legislative Affairs Officer at the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC). He led the legal office of PRIDCO and DDEC, advising on litigation, legislative matters, contracts, auctions, and environmental issues.

In March 2023, he was appointed Executive Deputy Director of the Industrial Development Company, where he works on the company's transformation.