Oscar Mejias

Venezuelan native, Oscar Mejias came to the United States in 2003. While in his home country, Mejias attained his bachelor’s in information technology from ‘Universidad Occidental de Venezuela.’ Mejias is the prime example of what we all call today “the American Dream.” As someone who never stops learning, in 2006 he moved to Rhode Island and decided to take a course to improve his business and technical skills. That is where the idea came
about to create a company that can provide education within the Hispanic community. He saw the demand that there were many others like him, who wanted to continue to grow, learn, expand their education, and ultimately have a successful career. From then on, the Hispanic Technology and Education Program (HITEP) was created, which helped many people improve their technological skills and find employment. With the same goal in mind, Mejias plans on helping people who want to better their lives but don’t know where to start, especially within the Latino community. With over 14 years of extensive experience, Mejias is a strategic leader and has made significant accomplishments in Education, economic, and community development. Highly skilled in not only technology but business as well, he plans to implement his expertise in his teachings, with the many courses ESI has to offer.

Results-oriented and strategic leader with 14 years of extensive experience in accomplishing remarkable outcomes in Education, economic and community development. Highly skilled in project management, planning and  organizing educational projects from conception to completion, including students attraction, students retention, and incentive programs. In the Business area, possess proven success in economic development programs, budgeting and management, operational characteristics & services, cross-departmental project management, information technology utilization, human resources development, review and analyze data and deliver information in a comprehensible manner. Adept at coordinating with various political subdivisions and facilitating change in a community to support organizational objectives. Strong background in creation of training programs, relationship management, team building and general business acumen coupled with significant track record of driving profitability gains and huge revenues within highly competitive private business.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

BETECH Inc.

EMERGING STUDIES INSTITUTE (ESI)  – Founder/ CEO

Rhode Island – 2017

• Founder and CEO, representing the company at different sectors : Government, Private, Community organizations.
• Create the strategies, policies and document’s sets needed for the successful school operations.

HITEP, Inc

Hispanic Technology & Education Programs – Founder/ Former Owner.

Rhode Island – 2006 – 2016.

• Founder and CEO, representing the company at different sectors : Government, Private, Community organizations.
• Create the strategies, policies and document’s sets needed for the successful school operations.
• Create the syllabus and content for the different training programs implemented at the school(bilingual) :
  • Certified Nursing Assistant.
  • Customer Service.
  • Work Preparation.
  • Job Readiness.
  • Computer Basic Skills.
• Directed the complexities of business operations through recruitment, selection, and management of eight direct and 9 indirect reports including admissions agents, administrative support staff and instructors.
• Directed functions involving strategic planning and implementation; program development, implementation and coordination; marketing plan development.
• Successfully negotiated and prepared incentive packages that resulted in organization expansions creating 16 new jobs in a term of 3 years.
• Facilitated Local Job Fairs and internal meetings with employers  to support  the employment of the graduated students, reaching an average of 75% placement rate.

RIHCC

Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Board of Director’s President

Rhode Island – 2016 – 2017

• As President of the board, lead  the meetings, coordinate the creation, implementation and execution of the plans and programs designed and specified in the strategic plan.
• Analyzing existing economic situations relative to business attraction and expansion; reviewing modern techniques for business attraction & retention and resolved sensitive and controversial issues.
• Coordinating with the Economic Development Committee to formulate and implement marketing and business attraction strategies, including familiarity with the goals and objectives of the organization.
• Directing all services and activities of economic development including attracting increased capital investments and expanding and diversifying employment opportunities.
• Implementing economic development projects for Hispanic owned businesses  and coordinating with the development community, local businesses and various City departments and staff.
• Interviewed and recruited membership for Chamber of Commerce with a initial projection to  achieve membership at least  300 members in the first year.

PRODUBAN  Santander Group 

Implementation Project Manager

Boston, MA  2011 – 2014

EDUCATION:

Business-Financial Literacy. Cohort 1

           10K Small Business – Goldman Sachs

            Community College of RI, 2016 – 2017

Emerging Leaders Program

          SBA – Center for Women & Enterprise

          CWE Center, Providence, RI, 2015.

 Bachelor of Science, Information Technology

           Universidad Occidental , Venezuela, 1984 – 1987

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

• RI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – Board President, 2016 – To date.
• Emerging Markets Committee Chairman, SBA Economical Summit, 2014 – To date
• RI Professional Latino Association. Former President (2010 – 2012 / 2012 – 2014).

Accomplishments – Honors and Awards:

• Bright Spot for the Future – White House Initiative for Excellence in Education for Hispanics/ US Department of Education. – Washington,  2015.
• Minority Owned Business of the Year. SBA – Rhode Island , 2015
• Extra Mile Award .  Santander Financial Group – Massachusets, 2014.

Areas of Expertise/Interest

• Executive Management
• IT Project Management
• Workforce Development
• Vocational Education
• Business Management