My full name is Omar De Jesus Garcia Santiago Rivas, born to Cuban immigrants, raised in New York city (Manhattan and the Bronx specifically). This experience gave me a unique perspective on life, learning to communicate as a weapon to defend myself and standing up for others. I became vocal for those that couldn’t stand up for themselves. Schooled at St. Rose of Lima Elementary in Washington Heights, then Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, gave me a private school education my parents worked hard to provide.
Moving to Miami mid high school, attending Miami Senior High School, Miami Dade Community College and the University of Miami rounded out my academic years.
My son, Jesse, is proudly serving in the US Air Force, with two children of his own, can’t call them children anymore, Brandon and Valerie, both entering college soon.
Brothers Ruben and Emilio in Miami, Santiago in Boston, and Tommy in Los Angeles. In 1989 I moved to Seattle to open a West Coast office for a Miami based company, and have been here ever since.
TODAY
I am in process of creating a series of videos to share my expertise with the world. I specialize in delivering keynote presentations, seminars and workshops on communication and business development proficiencies. A trusted CEO advisor and coach to various executives and corporations in the greater Northwest, strategically leveraging my 35 years of business ownership, leadership, management and developmental experience in numerous industries to work with business owners and executives to achieve new levels of significance in their industry.
As a speaker I presented my way to the World Championship of Public Speaking semifinals in 2010 and to the Finals in 2011 and became one of the top 9 speakers in the world, out of 30,000 competitors in 116 countries, for Toastmasters International.
I speak to groups at Microsoft, Costco, Expedia, RealNetworks, Google, Group Health, Coinstar, Virginia Mason, Zymogentics, T-Mobile, Pemco, Harborview, and many more. I have presented motivational keynotes and educational breakout seminars at several local and national conferences, and have coached many technology executives in the art of presenting with influence.
I am bilingual, strategic, innovative, and passionate about communication. I have received the 2004 Businessman of the Year for Washington State by the NRCC, 2006 Rotarian of the Year for Park Hill Rotary, and obtained my Distinguished Toastmasters designation in 2013.
My passion has always been to assist, serve, inspire and motivate professionals and organizations. Perhaps it’s selfish, because it makes me feel good, but everyone wins.