• Rafael A. Roger is the President of The Business Initiative Corporation of New York (“BICNY”). It is a sponsor organization to Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BXEDC). Founded 1998, BICNY helps entrepreneurs and companies gain access to private and public funding around New York State.

    Rafael is responsible for developing SBA 504 loans by connecting banks and other referral sources in New York State. In addition to overseeing the further development of SBA 504 lending, he oversees BICNY’s SBA 504 loan portfolio and marketing plans. BICNY has been featured in Crain’s New York Magazine, including being number 3 on the “NY SBA Lenders” list and “Top SBA Loans”. In 2022 BICNY was featured twice in the Top 8 of SBA loans in New York City.

    BICNY has provided over $139,018,066 million in loans to businesses in The Bronx and throughout New York State which helped leverage over $409 million from banks and private equity investments. As of September 2022, these loans have retained and created over 2200 jobs. BICNY has received three “Bronze Awards” from the US SBA New York District Office.

    Prior to joining BICNY, Rafael worked in the healthcare and insurance industries. Rafael obtained his MBA & BS in International Business Management with a minor in Economics from SUNY (State University of New York) Empire State College. Rafael recently joined the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) as a fellow, one of only nine fellows selected nationwide. He is currently a member of the LEAD (Latino Executive Advancement & Development) Fellowship program through George Washington University and the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute. He was raised in the Bronx and attended Fordham Prep.

  • Luis Garcia is a native Bronxite, who has a passion for the borough in which he grew up in and in conversations with Luis, his common phrase is always, I want to give back to the place that made me who I am.

    Luis is a Cardinal Hayes and Manhattan College graduate and joined the team after spending a year with the New York Law Department, where he worked with attorneys to identify legal and compliance risks to business, conducted investigations and made recommendations for solutions. Collaborated with the team to drive improvements to internal policies and processes, suggesting improvements to client processes to optimize legal outcomes.

    Luis is now at the forefront of our efforts to get capital access to Small Businesses in The Bronx, along with revitalizing our loan packages. He also continues to show his continued interest in economic development through various other projects that we have worked on as a team.

  • Andrew is responsible for maintaining, analyzing, and growing BICNY's loan portfolio. Andrew grows BICNYs portfolio by writing grant applications and connecting BICNY with city, state, and federal programs. Andrew also managers BICNYs website. He has written public and private grants, receiving $100,000s in funds. Prior to working at BICNY, Andrew worked as a Finance and Budget Intern at the United Nations. Andrew is a lifelong New Yorker, having received his BA in Economics and English from University at Buffalo, SUNY, and his MA in International Affairs from the City College of New York, CUNY.