Westside Business Leaders' Oct. Luncheon Mtg. & Guest Speaker

About our Guest Speaker:  Ed Perez came from communist Cuba to the shores of the United States as a young teenager. He arrived penniless, homeless and unable to speak English. Through the grace of God, and a great deal of hard work and determination, he has lived the “American Dream”. A dream that has not only been focused on personal success, but also on elevating the quality of life of those around him. After 42 years as a CSX IT Executive, Ed retired from Corporate America. His life is now dedicated to the mission field in Northeast Florida and Globally.

Ed has served on over two dozen non-profit boards. He has participated in over 40 international mission trips serving as translator, negotiator and laborer. Ed has received an Honorary Doctor Degree from Trinity Baptist College for his community impact both locally and globally. He was chosen as one The Twelve That Care by Channel 12. He has been recognized by the NFL with the Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Office of the Mayor’s Hispanic American Advisory Board and the First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Diversity Impact Award. He is the Past President of the First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor’s Hispanic American Advisory Board, Clara White Mission, MAYO Community Research Advisory Board for Northeast Florida and Hope Haven Clinic and Family Center. He is currently serving as a board member for City Rescue Mission, the Board of Trustees for Trinity Baptist College, the Advisory Board of Gordon Conwell Seminary, the UNF Community Outreach and Awareness Committees and the Florida Regional Council. In 2016 he started Three Grains of Rice Missions, Inc. This non-profit organization focuses on homelessness, women in crisis and children in need through awareness, volunteerism, education, personal interaction and the organization of projects and community outreach activities.

Ed is a graduate of Lifework Leadership, Leadership Jacksonville and the Northeast Florida Regional. Leadership Academy. He is actively working with local Hispanic pastors to educate and elevate the health and wellbeing of our Hispanic population. His non-profit organization, Three Grains of Rice Missions, has been the catalyst for the distribution of food, shoes, clothing, athletic equipment and medical supplies internationally. His volunteer teams have repaired 19 homes and built 7 apartments for the homeless community in the St, Augustine area, These teams have also upgraded the Trinity Rescue Mission and Hogar Crea Facilities.

Ed earned his degrees in Economics, Business Administration and Psychology from Milligan College. He has attended Gordon Conwell Theology Seminary as a student of comparative religion and studied with the local Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish and Muslim communities to understand their culture and beliefs and to find synergies to improve the wellbeing of everyone in our community. Ed is a passionate motivational speaker who freely shares his “American Dream” story which is founded on the principal that success cannot simply be measured by personal wealth, but rather by the quality of life of all that live in our communities