John Colón - Vice President - LinkedIn
John Colón is a bilingual business development manager currently working for Parent Petroleum. He brings passion and the love of baseball wherever he goes. He’s a salsa music and dog lover. John has over 38 years of experience in the retail operations of convenience stores with Shell, BP/Amoco and Exxon Mobil. He’s also worked with Walgreens and Office Max.
With his vast experience and knowledge, he has positioned himself as the top Business Development Manager in the fuel wholesale industry and is currently a member of the National Association of Convenience Stores and M-Pact Fuel & Convenience Trade Show. He’s a member of the MABL/MSBL baseball association, too. Recent accomplishments include placing within the top 1% of the region of the People Make The Difference Real in the Shell Oil Performance Program in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, one of his customers won the Global Dealer of the Year in the USA.
Damary Rodriguez - Secretary - Linkedin
Damary is a proud Aurora, Illinois native with deep Puerto Rican roots and a passion for community and service. With over 20 years of experience in the insurance and healthcare industries, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Chamber. She hold a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management from Rasmussen College and currently serve as a Client Service Consultant for one of the largest insurance companies in the world. Committed to building relationships and supporting local business and professional networks, Damary is excited to be part of the Chamber and contribute to the continued growth and success of the community.
Adam A. Bracero - Treasurer - Linkedin
Adam is a leader with experience in community and cultural advocacy. As a former President of the Aurora Puerto Rican Cultural Council, he revitalized engagement efforts and doubled financial resources through strategic fundraisers. He went on to become a founding board member of L.I.F.T. Aurora, leading its board as President in policy development and establishing a multipurpose used bookstore and cultural center. Holding a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Adam combines technical expertise with a passion for community growth and empowerment. He is employed full-time as a Quality Engineering Specialist in the high-energy particle physics industry.
Dr. Edgardo Vargas- Community Engagement Director - Linkedin
Dr. Edgardo Vargas, was born and raise in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He received his Associate Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Puerto Rico, and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. His plan was to go to medical school after graduating from university. After exploring deeper, he realized he wanted a specialty that offered a more natural way of healing. He picked chiropractic without knowing much about the field. He moved to Chicago to study chiropractic.
Arriving at the National University of Health Sciences, the students had to go through an evaluation and treatment program. He realized the potential available through chiropractic and how it helped back pain and motor function. He fell in love with it and wanted to know more. He received his Doctor of Chiropractic in 2006 and has been practicing ever since. In 2009c with his wife, opened Pro-Holistic Care in Lincoln Square Chicago. He has over 200 hours training in nutrition and laboratory testing, and also received certification as a Functional Medicine Practitioner. He enjoys showing patients how chiropractic can help with any chronic condition they might have.
He lives in Chicago with his wife and three boys and is passionate to help the Hispanic community with education and medical care.
Dulce Ramos - Sponsorship & Fundraising Director
Dulce Ramos is a passionate and driven real estate professional with over three decades of experience in the industry. After graduating with a Bachelor's of Arts from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in 1990 and spending time studying abroad in Spain, Dulce realized her true calling—making a meaningful impact on people's lives. Real estate became her vehicle to do just that.
Throughout her career, Dulce has gained expertise across multiple facets of the industry. From serving as a salesperson to opening and managing a thriving real estate office with a team of 20 agents, to originating loans, her versatile skill set has shaped her as a powerhouse in the field. As a property owner, building manager, and flipper, Dulce brings invaluable hands-on experience that sets her apart from others. In addition, Dulce's entrepreneurial journey includes owning and operating a successful shoe store, where she honed her business acumen and customer service skills, further enhancing her ability to connect with people.
But it’s her passion for helping first-time buyers that truly defines her career. Dulce finds immense satisfaction in guiding these clients through the home-buying process, always striving to get them to the closing table with as little money out of pocket as possible. Her dedication to building a solid foundation of wealth for others has made her a trusted expert, and her commitment to her clients’ success is the driving force behind everything she does.
