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South Florida Business and Wealth
South Florida Business & Wealth
Award Finalist

2023 Apogee Awards Honoree: Calixto Garcia-Velez

Meet Calixto Garcia-Velez, President and Chief Executive Officer of Banesco USA

Calixto (Cali) Garcia-Velez is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Banesco USA, an independent Florida state-chartered bank with $3.71 billion in assets. Founded in 2006 and based in Miami, Banesco USA services both domestic and international clients as well as operating
companies through its six locations between South Florida and Puerto Rico. With more than three decades of experience in the finance sector, Calixto has held key leadership positions in prominent financial institutions and is known for his visionary leadership style and unwavering commitment to fostering growth, innovation, and community engagement. As CEO and President, Garcia-Velez leads a team of over 340 professionals, manages 11 direct reports and oversees the overall direction and administration of programs, products, and services provided by Banesco USA. During his tenure, Garcia-Velez has elevated the bank’s portfolio by enhancing its offerings and introducing innovative products that align with the evolving needs of its customers. Committed to providing a client-centric approach, he has championed the development of tailored solutions for businesses, individuals, and diverse community groups. Prior to joining Banesco in 2021, he served as Executive Vice President for FirstBank Puerto Rico and had a very successful career with Citibank, where he served in various roles that included President of Citibank Florida and Business Manager across several markets in the United States. He also previously served as President and CEO of Doral Bank in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Garcia-Velez is a graduate of the University of Miami, where he received both his bachelor’s and Master of Business Administration degrees from the Herbert Business School. A Miami native, Garcia-Velez is actively engaged in various philanthropic causes and organizations focused on improving his hometown, further cementing his commitment to making a positive impact in the community beyond the realm of business and banking. He was recently appointed as treasurer for the United Way of Miami-Dade and named to the Florida Bankers Association Board of Directors. Calixto is also a member of The Beacon Council, the Florida Bankers Association, The Alliance for South Florida National Parks Trust, and the Cuban Banking Study Group. Additionally, he serves as a Guardian Ad Litem volunteer with the Florida Guardian Ad Litem Office.

Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.