Juan A. Gomez

President & CEO Centro Las Americas | Worcester

Although he is now a CEO of a large non-profit and former Worcester city councilor, at one time Juan A. Gomez wasn’t sure what he wanted to do after graduation.

When he graduated from high school, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and went to boot camp. Upon his return, he took a few college courses, but he wasn’t focused or doing well.

While working full-time and serving in the Marine Reserves, he decided it was time to get a college education, so he took some courses at Quinsigamond Community College.

“The flexibility of the schedule allowed me to be able to do it, but the quality of the professors and their support enabled me to continue my education,” Mr. Gomez said.

Mr. Gomez is president and CEO of Centro Las Americas, Worcester County's largest minority multi-service nonprofit in central Massachusetts. He took over the position in March 2007 after serving in a number of roles on the Board of Directors.

Among some of the most popular programs and services offered at Centro are the emergency food pantry, the Latino Elder Program, and the annual Latin American Festival.

Mr. Gomez has an Associate degree in Business Management from Quinsigamond Community College; a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Assumption College; and a graduate certificate in Human Service Management and a master's degree in Public Administration from Clark University.

Mr. Gomez is an adjunct professor at Becker College in Worcester, Mass., teaching state and local government, and intercultural communications. He has served on the board of, and been involved in numerous civic, business and charitable organizations in Worcester and throughout Massachusetts. He is member of the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers, past President of the Board of Directors of the Latino Business Association of Worcester County, a member of the World Affairs Council, Worcester Chapter; Worcester Rotary Club, and former board member of the Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce of Massachusetts.

He served five-and-a-half years on the Worcester City Council, and was the vice chairman from January 2004 to January 2006.