Raul Mas has a passion for giving back to community

Raul Mas has a passion for giving back to community
Raul Mas
Raul Mas

Raul Mas is a man of great faith, compassion and integrity whose passion for giving back has evolved over time.

Born in Santiago, Cuba, Raul was youngest of five children. At age 4, Raul arrived here. He attended Dade Elementary, Ponce de Leon Jr. High and graduated from Belen Jesuit Prep School. He went on to Georgetown University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Foreign Service after which he attended Harvard Business School earning his MBA.

A resident of Coral Gables, Raul has spent the bulk of his career in wealth management working with firms such as Chase, Goldman Sachs, American Express, Gibraltar Bank and others.

Most recently, he switched careers and joined United HomeCare. In this new role, Raul spearheads fundraising for this non-profit organization which is a premier provider of elderly care in South Florida. He is tasked with raising the group’s community profile and appears to be a perfect role for someone who believes so strongly in giving back.

It is evident that Raul’s Jesuit educational background has instilled in him this sense of duty. He remembers the admonition of Belen’s Superior General, Father Pedro Arrupe, to be “men and women for others; men and women who will live not for themselves but for God and his Christ…men and women who cannot even conceive of love of God which does not include love for the least of their neighbors.”

While the priests at Belen nurtured his spirit of volunteerism, his love for his adopted country kicked into high gear after 9-11 when he lost two friends in the World Trade Center, Herman Sandler and Jimmy Connor.

With the knowledge that our country would be in for a long war, Raul started focusing more time supporting military organizations where he donated his time and talent, helping returning veterans.

In addition, he started helping the military directly by assisting with the commissioning of Navy warships and Coast Guard cutters, helping with recruiting efforts, hosting cookouts at military installations and numerous other projects.

In fact, Raul recently was honored by being selected by the Secretary of the Army, John M. McHugh, to serve as his representative in South Florida. In December 2014, Raul sworn in at the Pentagon as a volunteer Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA). In this new role, Raul will serve a two-year term helping Army soldiers and their families in South Florida and keeping the Secretary informed of local issues. CASAs serve a two-year term without compensation and those terms may be extended to a total of 10 years of service, followed by possible appointment as a CASA Senior for 10 additional years. The Secretary may recognize a Civilian Aide as a

CASA Emeritus after 20 years of service. Raul joins a group of more than 500 individuals who have served the Army and the nation as a CASA. While Raul has a full plate, juggling his many responsibilities, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Ana Maria.

While their two daughters are grown, the couple’s attention these days is focused on Gridley, a testy but lovable Belgian Malinois dog whom they named after a Navy destroyer, the USS Gridley.


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A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel , non profit consulting and management. Before joining Miami's Community Newspapers as a columnist and marketing specialist, Gloria was the Executive Director of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee (6 yrs.) and first Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation (14 yrs.) and the Pinecrest Community Foundation (1 ½ yrs) . Burns' volunteer activities led her to become a columnist for Community Newspapers writing Gloria’s Gab, that focuses on the non-profit activity, and a host of an online show, Gloria's Gab LIVE. Gloria serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables as Civic and Charity Chair, and is involved in the club's International Committee. She is an active Life Member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee and is Secretary of the Merrick Festival. She serves on the board of directors of the Coral Gables Woman' Club as Publicity Chair and also coordinates the club's monthly fundraiser for various charities with Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger. In addition, Gloria participates in numerous other charitable events and is a member of the Business Forum Group, Profit Inc., the Greater Miami Festival & Events Association and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. In other volunteer activity, Gloria helps Miami Christian School with fund-raising and PR; is an Ambassador and volunteers for events for A Safe Haven for Newborns. She is an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where she enjoys singing in the choir every weekend.