Longtime leader of Worcester Latino nonprofit to retire
Photo | Edd Cote
CENTRO CEO Juan Gomez talks planning with strategic initiative consultant Scott Dennett.
After nearly 20 years as president and CEO of the Worcester-based multicultural health and human services nonprofit CENTRO, Juan Gomez plans to retire come September.
Since joining CENTRO in 2007, Gomez has played an integral role in expanding the provider’s reach from servicing four Worcester zip codes to today serving more than 8,700 individuals annually throughout 52 Massachusetts cities and towns, according to an Aug. 1 Facebook post by CENTRO. Once relying almost entirely on grants to fund its operations, the nonprofit now utilizes a budget of more than $12.5 million.
“We have been privileged and honored to have such a dedicated man pour his life into this institution, and while we know he still has plenty to contribute and we will miss his dedication to the overall organization, he has certainly earned the opportunity to slow down a little,” Richard Rafferty, CENTRO board chair, said in the post.
Gomez’s last day as CEO will be Aug. 31.
Though retiring from his long-standing positions, Gomez will continue working within the nonprofit as the president and CEO of the New Americans Community Development Corp., a CENTRO initiative working to create and expand economic opportunities for the residents of Worcester’s Main Middle neighborhood while preserving and developing affordable housing, according to NACDC’s website.
CENTRO’s Chief Operating Officer Tina Velazquez will assume the role of interim president and CEO for six months while the board selects Gomez’s permanent replacement.
“We are thankful to Ms. Velazquez for her decision to steer the ship, and we are confident in her skills and commitment to CENTRO,” Rafferty said.
Velazquez earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Worcester State University, according to her LinkedIn profile. Gomez has received degrees from Quinsigamond Community College, Assumption University, and Clark University in Worcester and earned his doctoral degree in health care administration from Virginia University of Lynchburg.
Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.
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