2023 Pan American Day Celebration & Scholarship Luncheon

The Pan American Association of Philadelphia is delighted to announce the 2023 Pan American Day Celebration and Annual Scholarship Luncheon.

His Excellency Ramón Eduardo Marínez de la Guardia, Ambassador of Panama to the United States, will deliver the keynote speech for the luncheon program. During the event, the Association will award nearly $20,000 in college scholarships and recognitions to students majoring in Latin American/Latinx Studies at universities in the Philadelphia region.

The luncheon will be preceded by a panel conference on Panama, with Dr. George Tsetsekos, Dr. Orlando Perez, and Mr. Edgar Vesga.

Program

10:00 am - 11:30 am Panel Conference (Comcast Room)
11:45 am - 12:15 pm Networking Reception (Hamilton Garden Room - Rear)
12:15 pm - 1:30 pm Luncheon Program (Hamilton Garden Room)

Panel Conference on Panama

Biography of Dr. George Tsetsekos

Dr. George Tsetsekosis the Francis Professor of Finance and Dean Emeritus at LeBow’s College of Business at Drexel University. Prior to his appointment as Dean, he served as Drexel Vice President responsible for university-wide academic functions. Dr. Tsetsekos’ extensive research covers the broad areas of corporate finance and international finance. He is the author of several books on finance and international capital markets. He has published extensively in scholarly journals such as Journal of International Business Studies, the Journal of Financial Economics, the Journal of Banking and Finance, and several others.

He has been a Consultant to the World Bank, The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Fannie Mae, and many other US and International private corporations. He is currently Chairman of REVL Capital Group, a boutique investment bank specializing in merchant banking. Dr. Tsetsekos holds a BSc. in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Athens, an MBA from Wright State University, and a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Tennessee.

Biography of Dr. Orlando Perez

Dr. Orlando Perez is the Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of North Texas at Dallas. Before UNT-Dallas, he was at Central Michigan University, serving as Director of Cultural and Global Studies and Chairman of the Department of Political Science. From 2004 to today, he has been associated with Vanderbilt University’s AmericasBarometer, a Latin American Public Opinion Project, as Country Expert for Panama and Honduras. Dr. Perez has conducted research into sociological, economic, security, and democracy topics throughout the world but primarily in Latin America. He is the author of four books on Latin America and over one hundred scholarly articles. His publications regarding Panama include Political Culture in Panama: Democracy After Invasion and Panamanian Strategic Culture.

Dr. Perez’ work has been supported by the United Nations, the U.S. State Department, United States Agency for International Development, the Ford Foundation, the Wilson Center for Democracy, Freedom House, and many other institutions. Also, he has been a Country expert on Panama for the Bertelsmann Foundation and Gothensburg University. Dr. Perez, graduated from the University of Miami with a B.Sc. in Biochemistry and from Florida International University with a B.A. in Political Science. He holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh. 

Biography of Mr. Edgar Vesga

Mr. Vesga is the Director for Services Development at the Philadelphia International Airport. Previously he was the President of Philadelphia International Medicine, a consortium of 10 US Healthcare systems linking and patients from all over the world. In that capacity he worked with Panamanian Hospitals and Hospitals from the Philadelphia area. Mr. Vesga was also Director of International Health Systems at the Academy of Pediatricians in Chicago. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in Public Relations and Communications from the University of Houston.

Luncheon Program Keynote Speaker

His Excellency Ramón Eduardo Martínez de la Guardia, Ambassador of Panama to the United States

Ambassador Ramón Eduardo Martínez de la Guardia has a degree in Law and Political Science and on May 10, 2022, was appointed by the President of the Republic of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen as Ambassador of Panama in The United States of America.

He completed his school studies at Colegio Javier, where he graduated in 1994. He continued his studies at the Universidad Católica Santa María la Antigua where he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Law and Political Science in 2000.

In 2002 he obtained a Master's Degree in Corporate Law (LL.M.) at the University of Minnesota Law School and in 2015 he obtained a Master's Degree in Business Administration from ADEN Business School and EUNCET Business School of Barcelona. Ambassador Martínez has also completed several negotiation courses and seminars.

He has more than 17 years of experience in the practice of Commercial and Corporate Law, advising various local and international companies in the areas of retail trade, representation of international brands, wholesale trade, free zones and special regimes, investments. real estate and financial sector.

On May 24, 2019, he was appointed Minister of Commerce and Industries by President-elect Laurentino Cortizo Cohen. From this portfolio, he has dedicated himself to promoting the development of industry, local and international trade, and the attraction of investments that generate economic development for the country. 

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