Juan Diego Zelaya

Juan Diego Zelaya Aguilar (Born September 6, 1975) is a Honduran Politician and Businessman, currently serving as congressman for the National Honduran Congress (Representing Francisco Morazán). He also serves as the Executive Secretary for the National Party of Honduras.^[1]

Juan Diego Zelaya was born and raised in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. His son is Nico. He Graduated in Loyola University at New Orleans, earning a Bachelor’s degree on Business Administration (Finance and Marketing). From 2002-2006 he served as the coordinator for the Telephone network and Optical Fiber expansion and Modernization project by HONDUTEL and the United Nations Development Programme UNDP. From 2006-2010 he was the General Manager for the Capital City´s, Tegucigalpa, city hall. In 2010 he was elected as Tegucigalpa´s Lieutenant Mayor until 2014. After The 2013 elections, he was elected as a National congressman, representing the state of Francisco Morazán. On 2014 the Honduran President, Juan Orlando Hernandez, Appointed Juan Diego Zelaya as the Executive Director of the National Professional Formation Institute INFOP. In October 2015, he was appointed as the Executive Secretary for the National Party of Honduras.

Entry into Politics

In 2002 Juan Diego Zelaya was chosen to be the Coordinator of a Telephone Network and Optical Fiber expansion project financed by HONDUTEL and UNDP. The project became the biggest and most modernizing in Honduran history for this Area. The digital gap was reduced significantly due to the success of the project.

2006-2014 City Hall

In 2006 Juan Diego Zelaya was appointed as General Manager of Tegucigalpa´s City Hall. During his period in this office, the city was recognized as one of the only cities in Latin America which reduced bureaucratic spending. Moreover, the city registered a favorable environment for private enterprises, allowing the city to access a loan destined to improve road networks.

Lieutenant Mayor

In 2009 National Election, Juan Diego Zelaya won as Tegucigalpa´s Lieutenant Mayor. From 2010 to 2014, he focused in different projects for the development of the city. He was able to recover the Historic district of Tegucigalpa for public use and transit. In addition, he signed treaties with the Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA which guarantied the relief of damages caused by natural disasters in the city and a long term plan for the Modernization of Tegucigalpa.

Congress

In the 2013 National Elections, Juan Diego Zelaya won one of the 128 seats in the Honduran Congress, running for the state of Francisco Morazán for the National Party of Honduras.^[2]

INFOP

In 2014, the Honduran president, Juan Orlando Hernandez appointed Juan Diego Zelaya as the executive director of the National Institute for Professional Formation INFOP.^[3] During his period as director of INFOP, Juan Diego Zelaya developed different programs focused on reducing the technological gap between Honduras and other countries, in order to compete in a globalized world market. Among the programs developed during his time as Director are the creation of the most modern autotronics shop in Central America, and the creation of “Yes We Can” a free online English Lessons program.^[4] During his time as director, INFOP focused on teaching Hondurans different careers in different areas, such as Beauty stylist or becoming the owner of a micro enterprise.

National Party of Honduras Secretary

In October 2015, he was nominated to become the National Party´s Executive secretary. He became Secretary by Unanimous Decision from the 50 members of the National Board.

References