Manuel Gonzalez Hinds
Senior Vice President ǀ Branch Manager
Manuel Gonzalez Hinds is a seasoned financial advisor with over 25 years of experience in equities, fixed income, mutual funds, insurance, and retirement services. Mr. Gonzalez joined the firm in 2017 as Senior Vice President and Branch Manager. He brings a strong understanding of retail management and sales to the firm. Mr. Gonzalez began his career in wealth management in 1994. In 1997, Mr. Gonzalez joined Popular Securities as Vice President and Assistant Sales Manager and in 2006 he joined Santander Securities as Vice President of Investments.
Mr. Gonzalez earned his BBA in Management with a concentration in Finance from the University of Sagrado Corazon in 1996. He is FINRA Series 4, 6, 7, 24, 53, 63 and 65 licensed and holds life, disability, health and variable insurance licenses from the Puerto Rico Insurance Commissioner.
GERMAN RAMIREZ DE ARELLANO
MANAGING DIRECTOR ǀ SALES MANAGER
German Ramírez de Arellano brings over 35 years of financial services industry experience, which includes a strong understanding of retail management and sales to the firm. Prior to joining First Southern, Mr. Ramirez was the Branch and Sales Manager for Santander Securities and HJ Sims in Puerto Rico.
Mr. Ramirez’s team serves the financial and wealth management needs of high-net-worth individuals and corporations. He is currently FINRA Series 3, 7, 24, 53, 63 and 65 licensed, as well as holding insurance licenses in life, variable and disability insurance from the Puerto Rico Insurance Commissioner.
RAÚL JUAN ESCUDERO, ESQ
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Raúl Juan Escudero is a licensed attorney with nearly 40 years of experience in the financial service sector. As a former Branch Manager at PaineWebber, Executive Director at HJ Sims, top Chairman’s Club member at UBS and Santander Securities, he brings to the firm his expertise in managed accounts, estate planning, insurance, annuities, and corporate business. His primary objective is to provide his clientele with the tools to develop long-term financial plans. He is supported by his assistant, Betsy Rodriguez, who for the past 31 years has been an essential component of Mr. Escudero’s success.
Raúl has a BS degree in Management from Fairfield University and a Juris Doctor degree from Interamerican University. He is admitted to the Puerto Rico and federal bars and presently holds Series 7, 8, 63 & 65 licenses as well as insurance licenses.
Jaime Santiago Echandi
Senior Vice President / Financial Advisor
Jaime Santiago Echandi brings over 25 years of experience in wealth management to the firm. Mr. Santiago joined First Southern in 2018 as Senior Vice President and has an extensive knowledge in asset allocation strategies, portfolio risk management, annuities, and retirement services. Mr. Santiago began his career in wealth management at Popular Securities in 1998 as an investment advisor. In 2006, he successfully transitioned his practice to Santander Securities.
Mr. Santiago received his BBA in Finance in 1996 from Interamericana University of Puerto Rico. He is FINRA Series 7 and 66 licensed and holds life, disability, and variable insurance licenses by the Puerto Rico Insurance Commissioner.
GERMAN RAMIREZ DE ARELLANO FREESE
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
German Ramírez de Arellano joined First Southern in 2021 after starting his career in wealth management at HJ Sims in 2017. Mr. Ramirez brings to the firm a strong understanding of asset allocation and portfolio management. Mr. Ramirez’s team serves the financial and wealth management needs of high-net-worth individuals and corporations.
Mr. Ramirez graduated from Suffolk University (Boston, MA) in 2015 where he majored in Finance. He is currently FINRA Series 7 licensed and holds life and variable insurance licenses from the Puerto Rico Insurance Commissioner.
PEDRO A. COLÓN
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT ǀ FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Mr. Colón has been registered as a financial consultant since 1983. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from University of Puerto Rico in 1974 with an economics and finance major and postgraduate studies in econometrics. During his career in the brokerage industry, he has had the privilege to be the President of Puerto Rico Securities Industry Association for two consecutive terms. Mr. Colón holds 7 and 63 FINRA licenses.
LUIS CURRAIS
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT ǀ FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Mr. Currais brings more than 45 years of experience to the firm. He has been a Senior Vice President of Investments with financial institutions such as Blyth Eastman/Paine Webber, which later merged with UBS, as well as Santander Securities and HJ Sims, before joining First Southern in 2022. Mr. Currais holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Interamericana University in Puerto Rico, and a Professional Certificate from the New York Institute of Finance for the securities industry. Mr. Currais holds Series 7, 63 and 65 FINRA licenses.
Hector Adolfo Martinez
Senior Vice President
Hector Adolfo Martinez is an industry veteran with over 25 years of wealth and portfolio management experience for private and institutional investors. Mr. Martinez started his career in 1998 in New York with AXA/ Equitable, and in 2000, he joined Smith Barney as a financial advisor. In 2007, Mr. Martinez joined UBS Financial Services as First Vice President and Portfolio Manager. In 2019, he transitioned his practice to First Southern.
Mr. Martinez earned a BBA in Marketing from Interamerican University of Puerto Rico in 1997. He is FINRA Series 6, 7, 63 and 65 licensed. Additionally, he holds portfolio management certifications from Portfolio Concepts, Inc.
JORGE A. MALDONADO RAMIREZ DE ARELLANO
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT / PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Mr. Maldonado has over two decades of dedicated experience as a financial advisor, as well as wealth and portfolio management. His expertise extends to advising both private and institutional investors on investment portfolio optimization and custom-tailored solutions to meet their financial goals and objectives. Before joining First Southern, Mr. Maldonado held positions as a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services, BBVA Securities and HJ Sims. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico with a BS in Business Administration. He is FINRA Series 7 and 66 licensed and holds life and variable insurance licenses by the Puerto Rico Insurance Commissioner.
LOUIS RODRÍGUEZ
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT / FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Mr. Rodríguez commenced his financial career in 1976 at Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor at an early age. Later, he pursued his career at CF Hutton and Paine Webber, then joined First Southern in 2021, bringing with him a strong knowledge of wealth management. Mr. Rodríguez earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce with a major in management from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, and holds Series 5, 7, 63 and 65 FINRA licenses.
LUIS SANCHEZ PAREDES
Senior Vice President / FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Mr. Sanchez brings over 25 years of financial services experience to the firm. He started his career as sales assistant with Wachovia Securities in 1997 while in college. Prior to joining First Southern, Mr. Sanchez was a financial advisor with RG Investments, UBS Financial Services and HJ Sims where he focused on income producing products, retirement plans, and annuities.
Mr. Sanchez earned a BBA from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico in 1999. He is FINRA Series 7 licensed and holds life, disability, and variable insurance licenses by the Puerto Rico Insurance Commissioner.
John R. Watson
Senior Vice-President / Director of Capital Markets
Mr. Watson joined First Southern in 2023 as Senior Vice President, Director of Capital Markets, and Financial Consultant for High-Net-Worth Investors. He has over 35 years of experience working for global financial companies Grupo Santander and Citigroup, and local banking leader Banco Popular. Mr. Watson has held key managerial positions in brokerage with responsibilities including branch manager, fixed income trading, sales management, product development and regulatory compliance. He has vast product knowledge and experience in Puerto Rico issued products, municipal and corporate bonds, US government and mortgage-backed securities, structured products, equities and ETFs, Options, and managed fee-based accounts. Mr. Watson has collaborated directly with financial consultants and clients in developing investment strategies and constructing diversified investment portfolios tailored to the risk profile, objectives and life needs of clients.
Mr. Watson graduated from Babson College with a bachelor’s degree in finance and investments and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Mr. Watson is a registered representative, equities trader, and options and securities principal holding FIRNRA licenses Series 7, 4, 24, 55 and 63.
WILSON COLBERG TRIGO
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Wilson Colberg Trigo brings over 35 years of wealth management experience, specializing in high-net-worth private clients and business entities to the firm. Mr. Colberg began his career as a financial advisor in 1984 and, prior to joining First Southern in 2020, he served clients at Merrill Lynch, UBS Financial Services and HJ Sims. He is currently FINRA Series 7 and 63 licensed.
ALEJANDRA DELGADO VICENCIO
VICE PRESIDENT ǀ FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Alejandra Delgado Vicencio brings over 10 years of financial services experience to the firm. Ms. Delgado began her career at Santander Mexico within the Corporate Banking division. In 2013, she joined Santander Puerto Rico where she worked in both corporate and retail banking, as well as Santander’s insurance division.
Ms. Delgado attended Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, where she graduated in 2007 with a degree in Public Accounting and Finance. In 2010, Ms. Delgado earned her master’s degree in Banking and Risk from The University of Alcalá in Madrid, Spain. Ms. Delgado is currently FINRA Series 7 and 66 licensed, as well as licensed in life, disability, and variable insurance by the Puerto Rico Insurance Commissioner.
GUILLERMO J. MACHUCA BATISTA
VICE PRESIDENT
Guillermo J. Machuca Batista began his career in the financial services industry over 20 years ago. He joined First Southern in 2020 as an annuities and insurance specialist. Mr. Machuca has extensive knowledge in asset allocation and portfolio management with a focus on financial planning. He began his career in wealth management at Gruntal & Co. in New York, with prior tenures at Morgan Stanley and UBS.
Mr. Machuca earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Seton Hall University in 1996 and holds FINRA Series 7, 66 and 31 licenses. In addition, Mr. Machuca holds life and variable insurance licenses from the Puerto Rico Insurance Commissioner.
José Antonio Colberg
FINANCIAL advisor
José Antonio Colberg joined First Southern in 2020 as a financial advisor. Mr. Colberg started his career in wealth management in 2018 at HJ Sims. He is a 2016 graduate of Saint Louis University with a Bachelor’s in International Business. Mr. Colberg is presently FINRA Series 7 licensed.
LARA M. LUGO LOPEZ
CLIENT SERVICES ASSOCIATE
Lara M. Lugo López has over 20 years of wealth management client services experience. Lara began her career at Paine Webber which was later acquired by UBS Financial Services. After several years with UBS, Mrs. Lugo moved to Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and in 2016 transitioned to HJ Sims as a Client Services Associate, as well as the assistant to the Branch Manager. Today, Mrs. Lugo works with the Ramirez team, and Mr. Luis Sánchez Paredes to provide clients with excellent experience and great customer service.
BETSY RODRÍGUEZ
SENIOR CLIENT ASSOCIATE
Mrs. Rodríguez started her career with Mr. Raúl Escudero in 1992. Since then, Mrs. Rodríguez has been Mr. Escudero’s Administrative Assistant and Customer Service Associate. Before joining First Southern in 2022, she was a security industry advisor assistant clerk and worked alongside Mr. Escudero in firms such as Paine Webber, Santander Securities, and HJ Sims.
RITA FLORES
SALES ASSISTANT
Bringing more than 20 years of industry experience, Rita Flores has excelled as a sales assistant and client service specialist. Mrs. Flores began her professional journey with Santander Securities in 1999. Driven by her enthusiasm for the brokerage field, she became a valuable member of First Southern in 2023. Her dedication, strong work ethic, and genuine passion ensure customers receive outstanding experience.
FLORA ROSADO
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Flora Rosado has more than two decades of brokerage experience in the areas of operations and customer service. Mrs. Rosado began her career in 1997 with Paine Webber. Since then, Mrs. Rosado has worked in several broker/dealer operations departments, including Santander Securities. Mrs. Rosado’s organizational skills, strong work ethic and hands-on customer service bring an indispensable array of talent to the firm’s wealth management team.
CYNTHIA AYALA CAMINERO
OPERATIONS ASSISTANT MANAGER
Cynthia Ayala Caminero brings over 20 years of customer service and operations experience to the firm. Mrs. Ayala began her career with Santander Securities in 2004. Mrs. Ayala has a BBA in Management with a Marketing focus from the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras.
CESAR MUNOZ VELEZ
Compliance Officer
César Muñoz brings almost two decades of industry and compliance experience. He served as Chief Compliance Officer at RD Capital for 14 years, where he also oversaw operations. In 2024 he worked as a consultant for Insigneo Securities LLC. Mr. Muñoz joined the firm at the end of 2024 as a Compliance Officer, bringing his extensive knowledge in compliance and operations to the organization.
Mr. Muñoz holds an MBA with a concentration in Accounting and a BBA with dual majors in Economics and Finance from the University of Puerto Rico. He is licensed under FINRA Series 14, 4, 24, 52, 62, 79, 7, 65, and 66.
EMILY M.ALICEA DIAZ, CTMA, CAMS
Compliance / Compliance Analyst
Emily Alicea is an accomplished professional with over 10 years of experience in both the hospitality and banking industries. She graduated in 2015 from the Universidad del Este in Carolina, Puerto Rico, with a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management. She began her career in the hospitality sector, where her work in Guest Services honed her customer service and problem-solving skills. In 2013, Emily transitioned to the banking industry as a Customer Service Representative at Oriental Bank & Trust. Over her five-year tenure, she demonstrated exceptional performance, becoming a key contributor to the development of the bank’s “PYME” program. Her strong customer service capabilities and attention to detail consistently placed her among the top performers in her group.
In 2018, Emily joined Tolomeo Bank International Corp as a Back Office Assistant, where her prior banking experience and customer service expertise enabled her to transition into the Compliance Department. She quickly excelled in this new role, supporting the Compliance Officer during audits, inspections, and lookbacks. Emily has earned two prestigious certifications: the Certified Transaction Monitoring Associate (CTMA) and the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS). Her diverse experience and commitment to excellence make her a valuable asset, and she remains passionate about contributing her skills to the continued success of her organization.