- [Announcer] Funding for this episode of Que Pasa NJ with Carlos Medina has been provided by Horizon Blue Cross, Blue Shield of New Jersey, PSE&G, the New Jersey Economc Development Authority, Hackensack Meridian Health, the Engineer's Labor-Employer Cooperative 825, the Alamo Insurance Group, ROI- NJ Business Magazine.

- Welcome familia.

Welcome to the new episode of Que Pasa NJ.

This episode, we have Jose Lozano, Head of Choose New Jersey.

We have Lili Gil Valletta in studio from CIEN+.

We have Jeff Martinez and New Jersey Senator Nellie Pou.

Que Pasa.

(upbeat music) And now we have Jose Lozano, President and CEO of Choose New Jersey.

Welcome to Que Pasa Jose.

- Hey, thanks for having me guys.

- Tell me what does Choose New Jersey, tell our viewers what does Choose New Jersey do?

What exactly do you do?

- It is a not-for-profit organization that focuses on attracting companies into New Jersey and we market the state.

- So how has it been, especially during COVID?

I know you've had some wins.

Tell me about some of the wins - Yeah, I know.

We've had some great wins.

We've had companies that are producing PPE here in New Jersey that are making masks and gowns that once weren't before.

White Claw is doing manufacturing here in New Jersey with Union Beverage and Hillside and made that commitment while we were in COVID.

And we have a couple of companies that will be making decisions in the next couple of weeks, which will be huge headlines for New Jersey and a huge success.

- So Jersey has a certain attitude, right?

I'm a Jersey boy born in Jersey, but we also have short memories.

Tell us what's, give me what the pitch is when you go to a company, what, I know what it is, remind our viewers what's so special about New Jersey.

- Number one, it's location, location, location, right?

Being right next to the one of the world's largest markes New York city, and being right next to Philadelphia which is one of the fastest growing we are nestled in in a perfect location.

We move people and product better than anyone else in the world.

And we have great talent.

We have great diverse talent from all walks of life can be found here in New Jersey.

We can say that in New Jersey we have more scientists and folks with advanced degrees than anywhere else in the world.

And when you look at our schools and our communities, they're vibrant.

When you start to really articulate the well-roundedness of New Jersey, it's not a hard cell.

Granted?

Yes, there are times where folks will say it's a little bit of expensive to do business but you do get a good basket of goods that is really hard to put a value on.

- And when your competition is Philly in New York when you talk about cost of doing business I think in the big picture, it's still I know I could rent a space here in Jersey a lot less than Manhattan.

- Oh, absolutely.

But you could still have some of the benefits and some of the perks of Manhattan, right?

And so you can be a much more affordable.

It is to establish your company or your business in New Jersey is a fraction of the cost of New York.

- So tell me a little bit of your journey to Choose.

You were a vice president of the Hackensack Meridian Health System, a very large organization.

Tell me what your role was at Hackensack.

- You know, I had the privilege and the honor of joining Hackensack when it was just three hospitals and I got to see some of the largest growth at Hackensack was going through and went and became Hackensack Meridian health.

And it was right now one of the most well-rounded organizations, healthcare organizations in the country.

- Now before that, tell me about, you worked for a guy, Obama?

Tell me about that experience.

- That has to be one of the greatest honors that I've ever had in my life to be the Deputy Chief of Staff at the EPA under and be a presidential appointee at the EPA was historical and magical to be able to look at have one of the most prolific presidents we've ever had.

It was a great honor being a Jersey and guy that was born in New York city, grew up in New Jersey to everything that I'd ever be have the opportunity to work for a president of the United States was one of my wildest dreams.

And so it came true.

- How did some of the skills you developed in working in Washington translate to the position you have now with Choose?

- The EPA taught me more about what the communities look like.

And when I was at the EPA, was the US EPA for the county but what I did not realize is that the science and the environmental policies dictated by the US really impacted the world.

And so I got to see parts of this country and communities that I could have never imagined I would ever see and seeing some of the struggles that they have with environmental justices and some of the challenges that the communities have ha.

And then you come into Hackensack and you start to really understand the health care components.

These were all building blocks that has allowed me to be successful.

I choose because I now see where New Jersey compares to parts of the country.

And I got to see how a cultures really matter when you're articulating what matters most in convincing international companies to establish their presence here and calling New Jersey home.

- Sure.

Sure.

You mentioned born in New York.

- [Jose] That's right.

- Tell me about your family's immigrant story to New York.

- So my mother was born in Puerto Rico, but grew up in New York city in the Spanish Harlem.

And my dad came over when he was a teenager from the Dominican Republic.

And so they have instilled the Caribbean culture into me and I think is what has the grit and a little bit of the attitude to make sure that I get what I want in New Jersey.

- Talking about Caribbean, I'm gonna ask you a question I've asked to some of my guests.

- Okay.

- Either a favorite restaurant or dish.

It doesn't have to be Caribbean, a Hispanic, Latino dish.

I could make it appear in front of you now.

- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I got to see mofongo from Puerto Rico, I mean anytime I've gotten to Puerto Rico it is the meal of choice every night for dinner.

I just can't have enough of it.

If I can convince my wife to learn how to make it it'd be even better.

But look, but restaurants I got to give kudos to Son Cubana.

Like not only is the food spectacular, but the views.

I mean, it's definitely one of the best restaurants in New Jersey.

- Thank you for all you do.

To those watching, remember, reach out, go to te website, Choose New Jersey.

It's a great place to live, raise your family and locate your business.

- Thank you, Carlos.

And up next, we have Lily Gil Valletta from CIEN+.

(upbeat music) And now we're lucky to have Lily Gil Valletta from CIEN+.

Thank you for joining Que Pasa.

- Thank you, Carlos for having me.

- Great to have you in person this time.

- I know.

We're properly distance.

So we're good.

- No little boxes this time.

So you have big news since you last appeared on the show Madam Chair lady.

- That's right.

That is right.

I am still trying to absorb what that means, because for those that are watching we actually, back in December got a bill signed into law for the building of the Smithsonian American-Latino museum, just as we have the African-American museum in D. And that was over two decades in the making 'cause it takes that long to get something passed.

And interestingly enough, the last Congress and Senate approved it and president Trump did sign it as part of the omnibus in December.

And here we are now it's official.

It will happen.

And I'm the chair of the friends of the American-Latino museum.

- It's amazing.

And that board has a history and current of a who's who in the Hispanic community.

Tell me some of the names 'cause there's some pretty big names on that board.

- Yeah.

One of our newest board members is John Leguizamo.

He is one of many, but we have many padrinos you know, supporters of the effort like Mr. Emilio Stefan of course, many more big names to follow.

'Cause the Smithsonian is electing a board of trustees as well.

So stay tuned.

We will have another segment about this.

- We will.

We will.

So since last spoke, we talked about the power of the Hispanic community, the buying power, things that I hope our viewers already know, but tell me since our last interview, how has your business been?

And more importantly, your company really has the pulse of sentiment across the United States whether it be multicultural, consumer-based, tell me some of the trends and then how they have impacted your company.

- Absolutely.

So just for context, as many of you know I am in the culture of intelligence business.

So we are hired by the big corporations that wanna understand the trends, the insights, as well as know what to do with the shifting demographics for business.

And sure enough, the numbers haven't changed.

We're still growing.

We're still the largest minority group in this county creating new businesses, despite the woes of COVID.

But what we have seen two data points, Carlos that really concerns me.

One is that the optimism that was so uniquely characteristic of the Hispanic community we would see the glass half full has tempered quite a bi.

So before 70% of Hispanics would be looking at a brighter future and believed in the American drem and that has reduced in more than a third.

- Wow.

- So how do we reignite that and makes us believe again that it is possible to recover because this year has definitely shaking us up.

So that's one data point.

And I have one really brand new one as of like almost the last week which has to do with the vaccine sentiment.

And that one keeps me up at night because as we know our community is four times more likely to be hospitalized, two times more likely to die of COVID if we get the virus, 'cause we're essential workers, have different kinds of jobs and we are the most negative of all communities towards the vaccine when compared to African-Americans or overall non-Hispanic whites.

So almost more than actually one in three Hispanics is completely negative and against the vaccines.

So that is concerning.

We just did that based on like 5,000,000 data points we analyzed as of March 3rd.

So friendly PSA here for everyone that is watching, do your homework.

Look at the science, the same companies we trust for probably everything that is in our medicine cabinet are the makers of these vaccines.

- So you've identified a problem.

You see a sentiment, how do we combat that?

How do I use this platform?

How do we educate consumers, possible vaccine recipients on the safety?

I mean, the numbers are off the chart.

If you take this vaccine 100% that you're not gonna die and go to the hospital.

You may get some symptoms like the flu but that's impressive numbers.

The three vaccines on the market all have very similar numbers.

- Exactly.

I think people, and this is what's so ironic, I think we're a product of the new cycles and the political noise.

The fact that we were able to do in a couple of months what typically takes years to develop a vaccine under the previous administration and now we have the Biden administration trying to expedite distribution.

And it's really funny because we kind of point at each other's side.

It turns it into a political thing when it shouldn't be.

This is the private sector demonstrating that we can get things done when we have a will and collaborate.

And in a way we're not victims of our success when people are skeptical about it.

So what can we all do?

Rise above what political noise maybe getting in the way.

And once again, realize that every single thing that has medicine attached to it has some sort of a side effect nothing is bullet-proof.

But the rigor of this vaccine has been equal as all of those other things that the J and J's and Pfizer's of the world have developed before.

The FDA didn't shortcut anything.

It's just that we move faster because we put more resources towards it together.

- On a lighter side.

What is your favorite Latin dish, if I could miraculously make something appear before you?

- Oh, my gosh.

This is so easy because of course it's a Colombian it's gonna be arepas.

And arepas, if there is the place where it's like arepas heave, it's Elizabeth, New Jersey.

- Okay.

- So you go walk down those streets and you will find probably every kind of arepas, delicious big and small, de choclo, blancas, con queso, sin queso I mean, seriously.

- Awesome.

I love it.

I love it.

Now I got to try it.

You're giving me the... - That's right.

- Thank you very much.

Thank you for what you do.

Very proud.

- Thank you so much, Carlos.

And thank you for giving us a voice here and anyone that's watching, remember follow the numbers because cultural intelligence is objective and that's where the growth is.

- Exactly.

- That's right.

- And up next, we have Jeff Martinez.

(upbeat music) And now we have Jeff Martinez, Executive Vice-president at PNC bank.

Thank you for joining Que Pasa, Jeff.

- My pleasure.

What an honor.

- Tell me about your role.

I know you run a pretty good territory for PNC bank.

How many branches do you oversee?

- Oh, I appreciate that.

Managed today about 1200 branches from New Jersey, New York our very own New Jersey down to Florida and Alabama.

- That's impressive.

That's impressive.

Now I also know you're a veteran.

- I am.

- You're a veteran.

- Yeah.

So it's one where I know, my time and service I always say that it wasn't planned.

It wasn't one where I had the dream as a child to serve our country.

It's one that post 911 felt a compelling reason and kind of matched at the time with some of the benefits for education.

I didn't expect at the time in November 8th of 2002 that I would have served for nine years or have served two tours of duty in Iraq but it is irreplaceable within my history just who I am today and how hopefully I've married it to other diverse parts of my life's experience.

- Tell me how that experience helps you in business today.

- Well, there's a couple of reasons.

I think, in today where people are looking to understand diversity I think the military background is just another angle of diversity.

It's a diverse background.

You know, I've always used the military as a place where I think diversity works at its best.

I remember going to basic training and meeting people from all walks of life, all economic backgrounds, probably every state represented.

And I remember this one gentleman from Montana that I called Montana.

And I remember he asked me and he said, "Are you Mexican?"

And I said, "No, I'm not Mexican."

And he's like, "Okay.

So then you're Puerto Rican."

And I said, "I'm not Puerto Rican."

And I still remember the look like he was just honestly confused.

He didn't know what else I could possibly be.

And I said, well, "I'm Cuban and Colombian."

And he's like, "Huh."

And I knew he could have placed it, he didn't want to seem, I guess, a little off it.

I remember I took a second and I explained, here's where Cuba's, here's where Colombia, here's my dad's story, my mom's story.

And I remember a sense of appreciation.

And I remember even at that moment I coined Cuban Colombian.

So, and I think about what basic and the missions that had to do.

And then later, 2004 to 2008 boat tours in Iraq, it's people that come together in a way that they understand each other to have a mission completed.

And yes, at that time there is a sense of life and death, but, I always look at that at what I try to take in professionally to say when the stakes have never been higher you can get people to come together especially in today's modern society where diversity is core to winning.

- Definitely, definitely.

So you mentioned Colombia and Goa, tell me your your family's immigration story, please.

- My dad who immigrated from Fomento Cuba in 1959, you knw the typical Cuban background story outside of, knowing that there's more out there, the belief that there was more out there.

Similar for my mother when she left Colombia, Manizales Colombia, you know, again just in the pursuit of something bigger, the thought of entrepreneurialism is never at its greatest than the ability of someone to face the unknown in a country that's a known with zero resources and make something happen.

And so I always say for my parents the American dream was their kids, giving them the opportunity, the resources, the clarity of what they can accomplish and education beig quintessential in that story.

And, again, that's why a lot of it plays into as you connect it back to the military.

It's also a big part of why I give back, why I think there's a inherit advantage to have lived through that viewpoint.

There's plenty of disadvantages.

Inherently, we're risk-takers.

Inherently, we take chances we face the unknown where the courageousness-- And so I know is when I get asked that question those are the characteristics I like to extract because it's the ones that remind me of what I need to do.

- Last quick question, tell me in New Jersey or a plate that you enjoy what's your favorite Hispanic restaurant or tell me one of your favorite Hispanic dishes.

- It's hard, you know, the battle right now between Bandeja Paisa, lechon con moro.

I'd probably put it to, my go-to place is Rumba Cubana, the one in Guttenberg and I'd say the plate that they have there it kind of says a little bit about me as well is Un Poquito de Todo.

- [Carlos] Okay.

- And so I think you get a good sense of Cuba, Cuban food and anything with black beans on it you can sign me up for it.

- Excellent.

Thank you for being with us, Jeff.

- My pleasure.

Thank you so much, Carlos.

- And up next we have Senator Nellie Pou.

(upbeat music) And now we have New Jersey Senator Nellie Pou.

Thank you for joining us, Senator.

- Thank you, Carlos.

Thank you so very much.

It's great to be here.

- Pleasure to have you.

Now you represent the 35th District in New Jersey.

Tell me a little bit about that.

I know it's heavy Passaic County, but tell me a little bit about the district.

- Okay.

First of all, you're correct.

I represent the 35th Legislative District.

My towns are the great city of Paterson.

Every time I say 35th District and I say Paterson, they know exactly what part of the state we're talking about.

But it's Paterson, I represent North Haledon, Prospect Park and Haledon.

Those are the boroughs.

And I have two towns actually in Bergen County as well which is the city of Garfield and the barrel of Elmwood Park.

- Excellent.

Now you were first on the Senate in 2011.

- That's correct.

But I served in the Assembly for 14 years prior to being elected and said to the Senate.

So I actually started my legislative career back in 1997 and continued in the assembly for seven terms and then went on to the Senate and I've had a wonderful opportunity to represent the State of New Jersey in the legislature and certainly now in the Senate.

- Very distinguished career.

- Thank you.

- You are currently chair of the commerce committee in the Senate but you're also chair of the Hispanic Caucus.

Tell me a little bit about the work you do on both of those committees.

- Sure.

So in the Senate, as you well pointed out I serve as the chair person or the chairwoman for the Senate Commerce Committee.

It's an incredible committee to really, I feel very honored to to be doing that.

As you can well imagine it's really where all the businesses at, right?

Because we're dealing with many many issues ranging from all different aspect anywhere from health insurance benefits to policy making regulatory actions that are also requird within that committee.

So it's a committee where I think it certainly keeps me very busy.

It's where the pulse of the state will certainly take us in terms of some of the public policy decisions that we make.

I chair the Latino Legislative Caucus.

We have a dynamic group.

I actually started on the caucus when there was only four of us actually.

And it dates back to when Wilfredo Caraballo was in the assembly and I was in the assembly at the time.

So there was only four of us.

So it was Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Rudy Garcia, Wilfredo Caraballo and myself.

That's how we started the Latino caucus.

Today, we're 10 strong.

And my little slipped there for a moment about Latina is because we actually have nine out of the 10 members of the Latina legislative caucus are all women.

That's like the the first and only in the entire country where you have a Latino caucus, especially in the know legislative caucus that are the majority of them are women.

And certainly we have the highest number of that being nine.

So I'm very proud of that.

- That's something to be proud of.

I'd like to dig into that.

Why do you feel well, number one, that number 10 we need a lot more.

- Oh, absolutely.

- If we're going to have 20% of the population and there's 120 legislators where... - And that goes without saying, absolutely.

- I just let our viewers know that number is not representative of the population.

And we need to up that number.

And there's many organizations that promote Latinas running for office.

Why do you feel New Jersey is a talent?

Is it drive?

Why are there nine of 10?

That's an intriguing number?

- Well, it is.

And it's actually, I was actually made aware of that by a different, you know, by the national Hispanic Caucus of state legislators, which I'm very actively involved.

I'm very happy to say that I'm the the president elect to that.

- Congratulations.

- Thank you.

So I'm very happy.

I'll be taking that position over come December but it's a phenomenal organization on a national level.

But it was brought to my attention by them actually who'd said, you know you're the only caucus that has the majority of the women in the legislature among Latinos.

So I was happy to see-- But sure.

I mean, women are very actively involved.

They're engaged at the political process.

Latinas are something to be reckoned with and we tend to let our voices be heard and we have some amazing women who are leading so many very important committees in the New Jersey legislature and among them are these phenomenal Latina women.

- Thank you, Senator.

Thank you for being a champion of so many causes in the state of New Jersey and thanks for spending time with us today.

- Well, thank you.

This was a lot of fun and I I'm just happy to be here and thank you for having me.

I appreciate it.

- Thank you.

Thanks for joining us for another episode of Que Pasa J And as Lili Gil Valletta said, get vaccinated.

It's safe and it's very important to get vaccinated to protect yourself, your family, your loved ones and your neighbors.

And please follow us and like us on social media.

And don't forget Que Pasa.

- [Announcer] Funding for this episode of Que Pasa NJ with Carlos Medina has been provided by Horizon Blue Cross, Blue Shield of New Jersey, PSE&G, the New Jersey Economc Development Authority, Hackensack Meridian Health, the Engineer's Labor-Employer Cooperative 825, the Alamo Insurance Group, ROI-NJ Business Magazine.

This has been a production of the Modesto Educational Foundation.

(upbeat music)