Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey Names Board Member John Lucas Interim President
LYNDHURST, N.J. — By Giovanna Aguilar
The Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCCNJ) today announced the appointment of John Lucas as interim president, effective immediately. Lucas, a member of the SHCCNJ board, assumes the role following the departure of Carlos Medina, who stepped down after years of service to the organization.
The board unanimously selected Lucas to lead SHCCNJ during this transition, pointing to his background in enterprise strategy, organizational transformation and stakeholder alignment.
John Lucas first connected with the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey while actively seeking ways to engage with and support local communities. At the time, the financial institution where he held a senior leadership role was a sponsor of the Chamber’s Latina Entrepreneurship Training Series (LETS), now known as the Level UP Entrepreneurship Training Series, an experience that left a lasting impression.
With a career centered on creating strategies, building high performing teams and leading large-scale transformations, Lucas recognized strong alignment with the Chamber’s mission. His early involvement as a LETS sponsor quickly evolved into a deeper commitment, leading him to join the Board more than five years ago.
His connection is also personal, shaped by his father’s earlier work in Hispanic communities in Chicago and his family’s heritage, with ties to Puerto Rico and Spain.
“I am honored to step into this role and grateful for the board’s trust. Carlos Medina built an organization that delivers real results, and I look forward to building upon that strong foundation with focus and momentum. Strengthening Latino and other small businesses across New Jersey remains our priority. The work continues, and it will accelerate,” said John Lucas, Interim President.
Lucas succeeds Carlos Medina, who stepped down after more than two decades of leadership that reshaped SHCCNJ into one of the nation’s leading chambers. During his tenure, Medina guided the organization through financial hardship and built it into a multimillion-dollar institution with more than 7,000 members, expanding its reach, strengthening its voice and advancing opportunities for Latino-owned businesses throughout New Jersey. His departure marks the close of a defining chapter for the SHCCNJ, one recognized with deep respect and appreciation by the board.
Luis O. De La Hoz, chairman of SHCCNJ, said Lucas brings the leadership needed at a pivotal moment.
“John Lucas understands this organization, our partners and the responsibility we carry. He has the experience to lead with clarity and the judgment to move us forward. Carlos Medina leaves a strong foundation, and we are building on it with purpose.”
About
SHCCNJ is the leading voice for 150,000+ Latino-owned businesses, representing a community that drives $127 billion of New Jersey’s GDP and is part of the $4 trillion U.S. Latino economy. Since 1989, we’vechampioned small businesses through education, advocacy and networking, earning the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency and recognition as one of the nation’s top Latino chambers.
For more information or to register, visit www.shccnj.org.
 today announced the appointment of John Lucas as interim president, effective immediately. Lucas, a member of the SHCCNJ board, assumes the role following the departure of Carlos Medina, who stepped down after years of service to the organization. ){kind=link}