Executive Connections: Powered by Banesco USA

Erbi Blanco-True is a banking professional and community leader with over 35 years’ experience in financial services. She currently serves as the Community Relations Director at Banesco USA, specializing in the areas of CRA compliance, affordable housing/neighborhood revitalization, community development, volunteerism, philanthropy, and non-profit outreach. Previously she served as the Florida Community Development Manager for First Horizon Bank and prior to this, Erbi served as Senior Vice President, Director of CRA/Community Development at Great Florida Bank.

Erbi is very involved in the community and currently serves on several boards and committees including serving as the AAA Scholarship Foundation Bank Advisory Board Chair; Treasurer of Casa Familia; FIU Alumni Board of Directors; Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Board; Habitat for Humanity Women’s Leadership Council; Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust Board; and the Women United Executive Council for United Way Miami. In addition, she has received several awards for her volunteerism and community service; has written numerous articles; and has served as an expert speaker at local, state, and national events.

Erbi obtained her Master of Business Administration from Florida International University and her undergraduate degree from Barry University. She lives in Coral Gables with her husband, and her son is an attorney with the Public Defender’s office in Savannah, GA.

Sean Gazitua is President & CEO of WTDC, a Miami-based logistics infrastructure company providing supply chain management, Foreign Trade Zone & U.S. Customs bonded warehousing, international and domestic transportation management, inventory control, and fulfillment.

Mr. Gazitua is the third generation of family ownership at WTDC, a business founded by his grandfather in 1977. Before ascending to President & CEO in 2017, Mr. Gazitua had 15 years of experience at the company and is well versed in every aspect of logistics. WTDC prepositions inventory in its Foreign Trade Zone for spirits manufacturers, electronics, renewable energy components, and other high-value commodities.

In 2021, WTDC received two Travel Retail Superstars Awards from duty-free and travel retail publisher The Moodie Davitt Report. Team WTDC won the Star Team Americas: Logistics/ Warehouse Award and Mr. Gazitua won the Humanity, Leadership, & Inspiration Award. The 2021 Travel Retail Superstars Awards were the first edition of annual awards for travel retail employees across the airport, airline, downtown store, and cruise sectors.

Mr. Gazitua is actively involved in the business and cultural development of the South Florida community. In August 2020, he was selected by the Miami Today newspaper for inclusion in the Book of Leaders with an Achievers profile. He is a graduate of the School of International Business at Florida International University (FIU). In December 2022, he was appointed to the Adrienne Arsht Center Trust Board of Directors. Mr. Gazitua also currently sits on the FIU Alumni Association Board of Directors as the President and previously sat on the FIU President’s Council. Mr. Gazitua also serves as the President of FIU’s Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni & Volunteer Corporation. He provides the social continuity necessary to ensure long-term success for these organizations. Mr. Gazitua is a f

engagement forums. He was selected as a member of Leadership Miami, a community development extension of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) for executives. Mr. Gazitua is passionate in his support of Live Like Bella, a childhood cancer awareness foundation, His House, an organization dedicated to restoring the lives of children, and Angel Tree, a prison fellowship organization that strengthens the bonds between the incarcerated and their children.

In 2008 he married Emely Yanes Gazitua and they have two sons, Gavin Mateo, and Logan Gabriel.

Kenneth C. Hall is Senior Vice President of Advancement at Florida International University (FIU) and Chief Executive Officer of the FIU Foundation. In this role, Hall is responsible for leading FIU’s next phase of fundraising, donor stewardship, and alumni engagement. As Foundation CEO, Hall manages the 501(c)(3), which is responsible for the investment of endowment funds, philanthropic revenue growth, ethical stewardship of gifts, and the operation of a 44-member Board of Directors.

Hall has more than 20 years of experience in higher education management, public speaking, and fundraising. Prior to joining FIU in November 2023, Hall served as The Pennsylvania State University’s Assistant Vice President for Development. While at Penn State, Hall also served as Executive Director of Development for the university, and as a visiting lecturer at Middlebury College Institute for International Studies at Monterey in Monterey, California. During his tenure at Penn State, Hall served on the Campaign Strategic Priorities Task Force to help design the successful $2.2 billion A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence campaign. During the campaign, Hall guided units under his leadership in raising more than $650 million, surpassing their goal of $580 million.

Hall has held various development-related positions at universities in Pennsylvania, serving as Director of Major and Planned Gifts at Susquehanna University (2001-2006), Director of Development at Messiah University (2006-2007), and Director of Principal Gifts at Bucknell University (2007-2015).

Before his career in higher education, Hall worked as an estate and charitable planner for MassMutual.

Hall has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Pennsylvania State University.

Nelson Hidalgo serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Banking Officer at Banesco USA, a leading regional bank with operations in South Florida and Puerto Rico.

A Miami, Florida native, Mr. Hidalgo has forged an impressive career in community banking that spans over 30 years, marked by a profound understanding of corporate banking and commercial lending. In his current executive role, he is responsible for spearheading the areas of corporate, commercial real estate, small business and retail banking for Banesco’s rapidly growing customer base. Situated at Banesco’s headquarters in Doral, he oversees all domestic production and business lines, leading a team of over 60 banking professionals.

Founded in 2006 and based in Miami, Banesco USA is an independent Florida state-chartered bank with six locations between South Florida and Puerto Rico. The bank serves the commercial real estate sector, small- and middle-market businesses, and professionals. The bank services both domestic and international clients with a suite of products and services delivered with personalized attention.

When Mr. Hidalgo is not advising his clients on their financial journeys, he enjoys spending time with his family and cheering on all the local sport teams from the Miami Dolphins football team to the Miami Heat basketball franchise.

He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing & International Business from Florida International University in Miami.