José Julio Aparicio Laspina Assumes Presidency of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, Unveils “A New Era” Agenda to Strengthen Competitiveness and Private Sector Leadership
San Juan, Puerto Rico – July 3, 2026 – The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce (PRCC) today marked the beginning of a new chapter with the swearing-in of attorney José “Che Julio” Aparicio Laspina as President of the organization. During the ceremony, Aparicio presented a forward-looking vision under the theme “A New Era,” focused on strengthening Puerto Rico’s competitiveness, advancing economic freedom, and reinforcing the private sector’s role as the primary driver of the Island’s sustainable economic development.
As he assumed leadership of Puerto Rico’s oldest and most representative business organization, Aparicio called for collective action to build a more competitive, innovative, and prosperous Puerto Rico, where private enterprise continues to serve as an essential partner in job creation, investment, and improving the quality of life for Puerto Rican families. “Today, the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce begins a new chapter. It is the beginning of a New Era. Puerto Rico is calling us to act with courage, purpose, and a sense of urgency. Our responsibility is to build solutions, foster consensus, and lead by example to create the conditions that allow our economy to grow and generate greater opportunities for everyone”, Aparicio said during his acceptance remarks.
The new President announced that his administration will be guided by three strategic priorities: enhancing Puerto Rico’s competitiveness through a more business-friendly environment; promoting modern, resilient, and efficient infrastructure that supports economic growth; and advancing structural reforms that modernize government, increase productivity, and position Puerto Rico to compete successfully in the economy of the future. His leadership record also includes championing, through the Chamber, the development of emerging industries that are now part of Puerto Rico’s economy, including medical cannabis, esports, and regulated sports betting—sectors that have generated investment, employment, and new opportunities for innovation across the Island. As an entrepreneur, Aparicio has founded Our House at San Patricio Plaza, Winin, an online sports betting company; Red Rooster, an esports event production company; Knox Medical, a medical cannabis dispensary; operates CAO Bakery in Hallandale, Florida; and GenPower, a company providing design, construction, and renewable energy services, among other business ventures.
Aparicio assumes the presidency with a widely recognized history of leadership within the Chamber. He is the founder of FACES (Federal Affairs Chamber Educational Series), the institution’s flagship federal affairs initiative. Over the past five years, the program has strengthened Puerto Rico’s private sector presence in Washington, D.C., fostering direct, bipartisan dialogue with members of Congress, federal agencies, and public policy leaders on issues critical to Puerto Rico’s competitiveness, including Medicaid equity, energy system reconstruction, federal tax reform, and the protection of federal recovery funds.
During his address, Aparicio emphasized that the Chamber will continue to serve as a forum that brings together all productive sectors of Puerto Rico while identifying challenges, building consensus, and promoting solutions that strengthen the investment climate and business confidence. “We cannot simply be another voice in the public debate. We must be an institution that inspires action, encourages responsible dialogue, and helps build bridges among sectors to advance Puerto Rico’s most important priorities. I deeply believe in the talent of our people and in the private sector’s ability to lead the transformation our Island needs”, he added.
With more than 113 years of history, the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce represents more than 600 companies and organizations from virtually every sector of the economy. Under José Julio Aparicio Laspina’s leadership, the organization reaffirms its commitment to advancing public policies that promote free enterprise, investment, innovation, and sustainable economic development while strengthening the role of the business community as a strategic partner in building Puerto Rico’s future. “We must believe in Puerto Rico again. I believe in the talent of our people, in the strength of our businesses, and in the private sector’s ability to lead the transformation our Island needs. That is the New Era we begin today”, Aparicio concluded.
“Tenemos que volver a creer en Puerto Rico. Creo en el talento de nuestra gente, en la fortaleza de nuestras empresas y en la capacidad del sector privado para liderar la transformación que nuestro País necesita. Esa es la Nueva Era que hoy comenzamos”, finalizó diciendo Aparicio Lespina.
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