Governor reviewing candidates to replace Negrón Reichard at DDEC

“A resignation occurred here; it was accepted, and we are moving forward,” Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said.

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced on Thursday that she is evaluating several candidates to appoint as the new secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC by its acronym in Spanish) following the resignation of Sebastián Negrón Reichard.

“A resignation occurred here; it was accepted, and we are moving forward,” the governor said in a written statement. “We will soon have a new secretary who will continue our economic agenda and further strengthen the government plan we presented to the people.”

During a meeting with representatives from the private sector, González Colón assured them that the DDEC’s operations are continuing and that the departure of Negrón Reichard -- along with his trust staff -- has not halted ongoing projects.

González Colón expressed her gratitude for the former secretary’s work and did not rule out retaining some of the aides who joined the agency during his tenure.

“Our administration’s economic development agenda remains steadfast,” she said.

Private sector representatives received information regarding the DDEC’s operational continuity and offered recommendations on strategies related to manufacturing reshoring, air cargo and permitting reform.

Among those present were La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech Fernández, DDEC Deputy Secretary Roberto Lefranc Fortuño, Local Redevelopment Authority for Roosevelt Roads Executive Director Carlos Ríos Pierluisi, DDEC Assistant Secretary of Entrepreneurship and Business Development Soraya Morón Vélez, and DDEC Federal Programs Deputy Assistant Secretary Mariamelia Sueiro Álvarez.

Participating from the private sector were representatives from the Science, Technology, and Research Trust; Medtronic; AbbVie; the Association of Construction Materials Merchants; Paulson Puerto Rico; the Builders Association; the Certified Public Accountants Association; the United Retailers Center; the Manufacturers Association; and the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce.