Mr. Leyva, born in Miami and a life-long Miami-Dade resident, is an entrepreneur with more than 25 years’ experience in developing and managing companies that span the globe. He is the principal at Leyva Capital, an investment company with a focus on lower middle market cash-flowing businesses and special situation investments. Over his career, he has held many operating roles within his family’s diverse investment holdings (domestic and international).

Mr. Leyva has developed significant operating experience with family-owned businesses in consumer goods distribution and manufacturing and residential construction. In addition, Mr. Leyva has co-owned and managed a large consumer goods retailer through an expansion and subsequent exit. In Florida, Mr. Leyva has had diverse interest holdings ranging from technology investments, restaurants, marinas, to landscaping.

Among Mr. Leyva’s major commercial transactions, the sale of La Curacao, among Peru’s largest home appliance retail chains, was named “Deal of the Year 2012” in the private equity category by Latin Lawyer Magazine, the definitive publication for business law throughout Latin America. He previously served as a member of the board of directors of His House Children’s Home, a local not-for-profit that provides residential care for abused, neglected and drug-exposed children in a home-like setting, and is a board member of Big Brother Big Sisters of Miami.