Event an official partner of Tech Chicago Week
Join us for an exclusive evening of insight and connection at the "Latinos Making Moves in Cybersecurity and AI" discussion panel + networking event, happening Wednesday, July 23 at 2112 — Chicago’s premier Creative Arts and Tech Incubator.
Meet our distinguished lineup of Latino innovators and thought leaders driving impact in tech. Presented in partnership with Tech Chicago Week, Siemens and Illinois Tech, this event is where community, culture, and cutting-edge technology converge. Don't miss your chance to be part of the conversation!
Ernesto Garrote – Product Architect | Automation & Building Systems Specialist
Ernesto Garrote is a seasoned automation and systems engineering professional with over a decade of experience across building automation, industrial controls, and energy management. He currently serves as a Product Architect at Siemens, where he defines architectural frameworks, technology stacks, APIs, and cybersecurity strategies to ensure system-wide compatibility and cost efficiency.
Since joining Siemens in 2020, Ernesto has also contributed as a System Engineer, designing and developing advanced HVAC control applications and implementing ASHRAE Guideline 36 for critical environments. Prior to Siemens, he worked as a Senior Energy Specialist at the University of Miami, where he optimized building operations through BAS platforms like DesigoCC and Metasys, while ensuring compliance with rigorous institutional standards.
Ernesto’s earlier career includes engineering roles at Costa Farms, Galaxy Multi Rides, and Top Safety Security (ADT Authorized Dealer), where he focused on automation, PLC programming, VFD commissioning, and SCADA/HMI development.
He holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Automation and Robotics from Universitat Ramon Llull in Spain and a Bachelor’s degree in Automation Control Engineering from CUJAE in Havana, Cuba.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Ernesto is passionate about delivering intelligent automation solutions that elevate operational efficiency, sustainability, and innovation.
Jimmy Perez – Senior Endpoint Technical Specialist | Cloud & Security Strategist | Advocate for Diversity in Tech
Jimmy Perez is a Senior Endpoint Technical Specialist at Microsoft, where he leads strategic endpoint solutions for financial services clients across the U.S. With over a decade of experience in cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and identity management, Jimmy brings deep technical knowledge and business acumen to every engagement.
Prior to joining Microsoft, he held senior roles at Deloitte and Avanade, specializing in Azure, Office 365, EMS, and cybersecurity strategy. His career has spanned enterprise environments, where he has led large-scale cloud migrations, identity governance implementations, and infrastructure security initiatives.
Jimmy holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and Information Technology from DePaul University. He is a trusted advisor, coach, and mentor in cloud and security technologies—and an advocate for diversity and inclusion in tech.
Andrelina Rodriguez – Head of Automation R&D Americas, Siemens
Andrelina Rodriguez is an accomplished technology leader with over two decades of experience driving innovation across global engineering teams. Currently serving as Head of Automation R&D Americas at Siemens, she leads product development and strategic operations for Smart Infrastructure Building Products, directing teams in Chicago and Buffalo Grove to shape the future of building automation.
Prior to this role, Andrelina served as Director of Software Engineering and Engineering Manager at Siemens, where she played a critical role in cross-functional leadership, budget optimization, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Her earlier career includes key leadership positions at Motorola Mobility, where she led complex software integration efforts across global markets and earned accolades including the Negocios Now Latinos 40 Under 40 and multiple BRAVO Awards.
Andrelina holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, where she graduated summa cum laude and was active in leadership and athletics. Her career reflects a consistent passion for innovation, collaboration, and elevating diverse voices in tech.
Jovany Melchor – Cybersecurity Engineer | Community Leader | Bilingual Advocate for Innovation & Inclusion
Jovany Melchor is a Security Consulting Engineer at Cisco, where he helps organizations strengthen their cybersecurity infrastructure through advanced network security solutions. With a dual degree—a Bachelor of Science in Applied Cybersecurity & IT and a Master’s in Cyber Forensics & Security from the Illinois Institute of Technology—Jovany brings both technical depth and leadership to his work.
Previously, he served as a Security Consulting Engineer Intern at Cisco, a Cybersecurity Consultant for Dom’s Kitchen & Market, and a Teaching Assistant in web and user experience design. His hands-on experience includes VPN, RADIUS-as-a-Service, and Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE).
Jovany is also committed to community and professional development. He currently serves as Marketing Director for the SHPE Chicago Professional Chapter and has held leadership roles including President of SHPE IIT and Professional Development Chair for SHPE National. A bilingual cybersecurity professional (English & Spanish), he’s driven by a passion for mentorship, innovation, and service in the cybersecurity space.
Melvyn Salvatierra – Associate DevSecOps Engineer | Cloud Security & Automation Enthusiast
Melvyn Salvatierra is a rising technology professional specializing in DevSecOps, cybersecurity, and data automation. He currently serves as an Associate DevSecOps Engineer at SPINS, where he leverages his expertise in cloud infrastructure, network security, and risk analysis to strengthen the organization’s technology ecosystem.
Prior to his current role, Melvyn volunteered as a Security Analyst, where he enhanced cloud reporting, authored NIST-aligned security standards, and triaged alerts using tools like Lacework and Jira. He also spent over three years at SPINS as a Data Ingestion Specialist, building automation tools, creating SQL queries for business insights, and streamlining client onboarding processes.
Passionate about community and professional development, Melvyn also serves as a Chapter Director at Raíces Cyber Org, where he leads discussions and events focused on advancing Latinx representation in cybersecurity.
His earlier experience includes a Tax Technology Consultant internship at R&M Consulting, where he implemented BI dashboards, automated reporting systems, and conducted vulnerability scans using Nessus.
Melvyn holds a B.S. in Computer Science with a focus on Enterprise Software from Northern Illinois University and is certified as an AWS Cloud Practitioner. His technical toolkit includes Python, SQL, Power BI, and cloud-based platforms, with a focus on secure, scalable solutions.
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