Luis Nieves-Ruiz, FAICP
FAICP Statement
Originally from Puerto Rico, Luis Nieves-Ruiz' career contributions have enhanced economic development, regional food systems, and community revitalization planning. Luis' exceptional leadership in Central Florida includes many years of volunteer service to underserved communities and initiatives to diversify the profession. Luis holds a Master of Regional Planning degree from Cornell University and serves as Economic Development Manager for the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council in Orlando, Florida. His accomplishments have been recognized by the National Association of Development Organizations, Urban Land Institute, Next City, Wallace Center at Winrock International, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida, and Leadership Florida.
Professional Biography
Originally from Puerto Rico, Luis holds a Master’s Degree in Regional Planning from Cornell University. He currently serves as the Director of Economic Development for the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council. A founding member of the Good Food Central Florida Food Policy Council, Luis has led several planning projects that utilize regional food systems to drive inclusive economic development including the Orange County Food Production Strategic Plan, the Historic Goldsboro Food Entrepreneurship Plan, the Cycles and Sprouts program, and the East Central Florida Food Production Resilience Plan, among others. Luis is a member of the first cohort of ULI’s Health Leaders Network and was awarded a Regional Food Economies Fellowship by the Wallace Center at Winrock International in 2018. He continues to collaborate with several national organizations interested in supporting food systems including the APA Food Systems Division, the Council of Development Finance Agencies, and the Tides Foundation. Because of his many professional and volunteer accomplishments, Luis was inducted as a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners in 2022. Last year, he was also awarded the Don Quijote Award in the Professional of the Year Category by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando/Prospera.
Education
112447 | Cornell UniversityGraduation Date: August, 2002
Degree Level: Graduate
Planning Degree
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
Graduation Date: June, 2000
Degree Level: Undergraduate
Social
Personal URL: http://www.ecfrpc.orgLinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-nieves-ruiz-a7606511/
Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/East-Central-Florida-Regional-Planning-Council-179495805416210/