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 Director of Economic Development for the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council and as an Adjunct Instructor for the University of Central Florida’s School of Public Administration. Luis areas of expertise include economic impact analysis and industry cluster research, brownfields and community revitalization, and health and regional food systems planning. A founder of the Good Food Central Florida Food Policy Council, Luis has been awarded over $100k in grants and contracts to complete his food systems work, including a Regional Food Economies Fellowship from the Wallace Center at Winrock International. He is an active member of the Urban Land Institute’s Health Leaders Network (Cohort 1), and is currently a member of the Better Food Policy Fund’s Independent Advisory Committee. 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 by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando and Prospera (Don Quijote-Professional of the Year Award), and the Orlando Business Journal (Business Diversity Award), among others.

Education

112447 | Cornell University
Graduation 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.org
LinkedIn URL: http://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-nieves-ruiz-faicp-a7606511