Jorge Mas

Jorge Mas is a Cuban American businessman, investor, and sports executive known for his leadership in real estate development, infrastructure investment, and professional soccer ownership. He is a principal figure in a Miami-based family enterprise with deep ties to immigration history, urban development, and sports franchise formation. Mas has played roles in corporate governance, municipal negotiations, and nonprofit initiatives across South Florida and national institutions.

Early life and education

Born in Havana, Cuba, Mas emigrated to the United States amid political upheaval that followed the Cuban Revolution and settled in Miami. He is the son of a family connected to the International Petroleum and transportation sectors through relatives linked with Florida commerce and migration networks. Mas attended preparatory institutions in Miami-Dade County and pursued higher education at universities in Florida. His formative years coincided with the expansion of South Florida into a major port of Entry and the growth of expatriate communities influenced by policies such as the Immigration and Nationality Act and bilateral relations shaped by administrations including John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.

Business career

Mas built a business career in real estate, construction, and infrastructure, taking leadership positions in family-controlled enterprises that engaged with major projects across South Florida, the United States, and Latin America. He held executive roles at companies involved in residential, commercial, and industrial development, participating in transactions that intersected with institutions like the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, state authorities such as the Florida Department of Transportation, and municipal administrations including the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County Commission. Mas’s firms worked with partners in banking such as Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and JPMorgan Chase while navigating regulatory frameworks administered by agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission and courts including the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. His activities connected him with private equity groups, institutional investors in Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation-linked funds, and contractors engaged in projects overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Political involvement and public service

Mas has engaged in politics and public service through appointments, endorsements, and civic advocacy. He participated in dialogues with elected officials from Florida such as governors and commissioners, interfacing with campaigns linked to figures like Jeb Bush and national actors within the Republican Party. Mas contributed to policy discussions involving municipal planning boards, zoning authorities, and infrastructure funding, coordinating with entities such as the Florida Legislature, the Miami-Dade County Public Works Department, and federal representatives on Capitol Hill including members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. His public service extended to advisory roles with cultural and educational institutions, interfacing with organizations such as University of Miami, Florida International University, and arts entities in partnership with foundations like the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Sports ownership and soccer investments

Mas is best known internationally for his ownership stake in a Major League Soccer franchise based in South Florida, collaborating with partners who include high-profile personalities from the entertainment, sports, and investment sectors. He played a central role in franchise establishment, stadium negotiations, and commercial strategy, working with league authorities at Major League Soccer, city planners at the City of Fort Lauderdale and Miami Gardens, and investor groups connected to international clubs and leagues such as LaLiga and CONCACAF. His sports investments involved negotiations with municipal stakeholders including the Miami City Commission and regional authorities like the Broward County Commission, while engaging advisors from sports management firms and global marketing agencies tied to events like the FIFA World Cup. The franchise’s roster-building and sporting direction saw collaboration with coaches and executives who previously worked in leagues including the English Football League, the Bundesliga, and Liga MX.

Philanthropy and civic activities

Mas has been active in philanthropy, supporting cultural, educational, and health institutions across Miami-Dade County and beyond. He has served on boards and advisory councils associated with institutions like the Cleveland Clinic, the Miami Children's Hospital network, and university development campaigns at University of Miami and Florida International University. His charitable involvement intersected with arts organizations such as the Perez Art Museum Miami, historical societies including the HistoryMiami Museum, and community foundations like the Miami Foundation and national funders including the United Way. Mas’s civic initiatives included collaborations with immigration advocacy groups, small-business development programs coordinated with the Small Business Administration, and public-private partnerships modeled after projects supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Category:Cuban American businesspeople Category:Sports executives and administrators