Carlos D. Nazario, Jr. - Vice President

Mr. Nazario is the Vice President at Sweet Mango Hospitality Corp. and sees this partnership as an opportunity to show and tell people in minority communities that they can succeed. This partnership also enables him to provide employment opportunities for people in minority neighborhoods. Carlos Nazario was put on this earth to help people. That’s his personal philosophy, and it has made an enormous difference in a lot of lives. Indeed, his 17 years in Central Florida have been single-mindedly focused on helping his community.

After graduating from St. Francis College in Brooklyn with a BS degree in business management, Mr. Nazario spent the next ten years learning all phases of the beer and beverage distribution business. He was President and CEO of Metro Beer and Soda Distributors, Inc. In 1990, he purchased, renovated, computerized and moved Metro into a modern 20,000 square foot facility serving the beverage needs of the small independent retailers and general public. In 1991 Metro was listed in the top 100 Hispanic-owned Companies in the U.S. by Hispanic Business Magazine. Mr. Nazario successfully sold his company and warehouse facility in March of 2000. He was also founder and President of Palms on the Beach Ltd (“Palms”). Palms was a food service corporation established to service one of the largest public beaches in the City of New York. Palms operated all of the concessions within this beach, with a seasonal attendance of over 1.5 million people. Palms operated this concession venue for a period of six years and did not renew its contract.

Mr. Nazario interests extend beyond his present and past responsibilities. He served four years as President of the Empire State Beer Distributors Association. Empire is an association consisting of over 225 members in the State of New York. During his Presidency, he successfully introduced, lobbied and legislation was passed which benefited its members with additional economic expansion opportunities. He was Chairman of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation. BOEDC is the direct office for economic development of the Borough President of the Bronx. His responsibilities included, creating policy, as well as initiatives to coincide with Borough President Fernando Ferrer’s economic plans. As Chairman, BOEDC initiated and implemented the application to become the administrator for the Bronx Empowerment Zone. Mr. Nazario interfaced with business leaders and government officials during this implementation.

Mr. Nazario was also Director at: ▲ Bronx County Historical Society Business Advisory Board ▲ Bronx Chamber of Commerce ▲ Bronx Small Business Task Force ▲ The Bronx Museum of Arts ▲ National Puerto Rican Business Council ▲ Bronx Hispanic Foundation ▲ Bronx Council for Economic Development ▲ Calvary Hospital Dinner Fund ▲ New York State Puerto Rican/Hispanic Policy Institute, New Majority Economic Summit He is the recipient of numerous awards: ▲ Bronx YMCA ▲ Bronx Community College Business Award ▲ Greater Boys Scouts ▲ Bronx Historical Society Businessman Award ▲ Businessman Award of the New York State Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force Conference ▲ Dr. Ramon Betances Commerce Award of the National Puerto Rican Parade ▲ Empire State Beer Distributors Association Recognition Award ▲ Flushing Chinese Business Award ▲ Business Award National Puerto Rican Parade ▲ Yaucanos Unidos ▲ We Care of New York ▲ Hispanic Corporate Achievers Award ▲ Comite Noviembre Community Business Award ▲ Empire Presidents Award ▲ Corporate Sponsor Award National Puerto Rican Parade ▲ Greater New York Council. Bronx Council of the Arts ▲ Business Award Bathgate Local Development Corp. ▲ Community Service Award Puerto Rican Task Force Conference ▲ New York Knicks Latino Executive of the Year Award ▲ New York Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, AREAS Appreciation Award ▲ Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 176 ▲ Letter of Appreciation From Senator Marco Rubio for “Three Kings Day” He was also presented with: ▲ Citation of Merit by Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer ▲ Lifetime Achievement Award by Senator Pedro Espada Jr. ▲ Community Award City Council of New York by Councilman Jose Rivera ▲ Legislative Resolution by Assemblyman Roberto Ramirez ▲ Recognition Award U.S. House of Representative by Congressman Jose Serrano In addition, Mr. Nazario served as a Board Member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc. in Washington DC.

During his years in New York, he had worked with Acacia Network (a non-profit founded with the vision of a better place to live for the New York Latino community). When he moved to Florida, he continued that work, overseeing Acacia’s expansion into Central Florida. He also opened Acacia Centro Borinqueno (Acacia Center for Puerto Ricans), a sprawling community center where area non-profits can hold meetings and fundraisers and created Acacia Community Development Corporation (CDC) to assist with the development of job training and social service programs. Additional Acacia Center plans include developing a non-profit culinary arts course for people who want to learn to cook Latin American food. The course would have the dual effect of serving the community and giving people skills to find jobs in restaurants.

When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, Carlos helped. He worked with a group of 14 Hispanic organizations to create CASA, a non-profit dedicated to helping Puerto Ricans displaced by Hurricane Maria. As part of this effort, he opened Acacia Center’s doors for use as a drop-off center. Within a few months, they collected four million pounds of food and water to send to Puerto Rico — the largest effort in Central Florida. CASA’s efforts were recognized by various elected officials, who came to contribute and help out, including Orange County Mayor, Teresa Jacobs; U.S. Senator, Bill Nelson; U.S. Senator, Marco Rubio; Orlando Mayor, Buddy Dyer; and Orlando Commissioner, Tony Ortiz. Carlos worked with a group of 14 Hispanic organizations to create CASA, a non-profit dedicated to helping Puerto Ricans displaced by Hurricane Maria. Active Volunteerism To Make A Difference Carlos’s volunteer work in Central Florida is significant and varied but always laser-focused on helping minority communities.

Examples of more of his efforts include: ▲ Homeless Housing. Currently working with Kissimmee Mayor, Jose Alvarez, to develop low income/workforce housing in the Kissimmee area. ▲ Union Park Neighborhood Center for Families. As an Advisory Board Member works with the Center to provide youth education, family counseling, English language classes, community health screenings, and employment assistance. ▲ Diaspora Art Group of Orlando. Mentors a group of artists/painters in their mission to help kids learn how to paint. Helped established non-profit status; helped organize an art show fundraiser. ▲ Central Florida Organization of Fraternal Police 176. Guided the organization in its efforts to raise funds for their commitment to the community.

Carlos is passionate about helping his community, and believes his achievements can inspire others and turn lives around.