Freddy Potoy Rosales
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Iván Usero Avilés arrived in Pittsburgh in 1997 to study at Duquesne University, after spending his childhood between Puerto Rico and Illinois. “There weren’t as many Latinos as there are now. It was a different city and a different dynamic,” he recalls of his early years in the city.
In 2001 he earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, with a minor in History and a certificate in Business Administration. Shortly after, the effects of the September 11 attacks made it difficult for him to enter the job market.
After working at PNC Bank as part of a bilingual customer service and sales team, he decided to explore new professional paths. “That experience helped me a lot. I learned so much, and I learned what I wanted to do,” he says.
In 2004 he returned to Puerto Rico intending to study law and play basketball, but a sports injury changed his plans. A year later he went back to Pittsburgh to pursue a master’s degree in Labor Relations and Organizational Studies at Robert Morris University, which he completed in 2006. Although he initially thought he would go into human resources, his career would end up moving toward sales and later into the insurance industry.
More than 16 years leading the insurance industry
After completing his master’s degree, Usero began his career in sales and later entered the insurance industry when Farmers Insurance began operations in Pennsylvania. He says that’s where he took part in recruiting agents and obtained the necessary licenses.
“I had to learn everything an insurance agent does, and little by little I realized I liked it,” he recalls.
He later spent nearly seven years at a Nationwide Insurance agency and then joined a larger brokerage house, where he specialized in the commercial market. “I learned how to approach large companies and entities that really need specialized help and guidance,” he explains.
Usero has accumulated around 16 years in the insurance industry, the last 10 of which he has devoted exclusively to commercial insurance, working with construction, manufacturing, real estate, and transportation companies. He currently works for Huntington Insurance and holds licenses in 30 U.S. states as well as in Puerto Rico. His work constantly takes him to different parts of the country.
One life, two jobs
For more than a year, Usero has also chaired the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Pittsburgh, a responsibility he takes on voluntarily. “All the work I do for the Chamber is 100% volunteer, but I consider it a second job,” he says.
From that position, he has witnessed the growth of the Latino community in the region. “Pittsburgh today is much more aware of the Latino community. Perhaps before we didn’t have the same opportunities or the same voice,” he notes.
He points out that one of the community’s greatest current strengths is the existence of resources and organizations that support newcomers.
“When I arrived, you had to figure things out on your own. Now there are people and organizations where people can go for guidance, support, and the resources they need,” he comments.
He also maintains that Pittsburgh retains something special: “it’s a city, but I always describe it as a big small town. People still greet each other, they’re still courteous,” he says, adding that this sense of community was one of the reasons he decided to stay.
Through the Chamber, he also drives initiatives such as the Business Success Academy, a program aimed at entrepreneurs and small business owners. “Through partnerships with other organizations, we can offer guidance. We act as mentors, we guide people, and we connect them with resources and opportunities,” he explains.
A deep community commitment
Beyond his professional career, Usero says that one of his main motivations for staying in Pittsburgh is his commitment to the Latino community. “Eventually we’re going to reach a point where we’ll need a unified voice, and if I can be that voice that helps unify the community and push us forward, I’m very willing to do it,” he affirms.
Although for now he’s focused on his professional and community responsibilities, he doesn’t rule out a future run in local politics. “Maybe starting with City Council and then moving forward from there. I’m not afraid of the possibility of becoming mayor either,” he comments.
For Usero, the Latino community has reached a level of growth and presence that deserves greater representation in leadership spaces.
“We have a presence here, we have the numbers, and we’re here to stay,” he concludes.
This article was featured in the July/August edition of Pittsburgh Latino Magazine. Click here to see view it and share it! Send us your thoughts at hola @pitlatinomag.com
