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 of Regional Planning degree from Cornell University and works as Director of Economic Development for the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, a council of governments located in Orlando, Florida. Through this position, he has been able to meld his interests in economic development, community revitalization, and food systems planning. Luis currently leads the OBT/US 441 Brownfields Coalition, which was awarded a $600K Assessment grant in 2021. With less than two years of existence, this program has already assessed over 20 properties across East Central Florida. A national leader in the field of regional food systems, Luis has also received over $100k in grants and contracts to complete this work including a Regional Food Economies Fellowship from the Wallace Center at Winrock International. Luis’ exceptional leadership also includes many years of volunteer service to community and professional organizations. He currently serves as Chair of the Orlando Metro Section of APA Florida, the SunRail Community Advisory Committee, the Orange County Citizen’s Review Panel, and ULI Central Florida’s Real Estate Diversity Initiative. Because of his many career accomplishments, Luis was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners in 2022. He has also been honored as Professional of the Year by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando/Prospera and Outstanding Diversity Champion by the Orlando Business Journal, among many other accolades.
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/