José Jaime Pierluisi


José Jaime Pierluisi was an economic adviser to Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Rosselló from 1993 until his death during a carjacking on June 7, 1994. His brother, Pedro Pierluisi, served as de-facto 13th Governor of Puerto Rico from August 2–7, 2019.

Career

A cum laude graduate of Harvard College and the recipient of an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, Pierluisi had been a leader, along with future Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño and Secretary of State Kenneth McClintock, of the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association in the early 1980s. His brother was former Puerto Rico Attorney General, Resident Commissioner in the United States House of Representatives Pedro Pierluisi. His father was the longest-serving Secretary of Puerto Rico's Housing Department, Jorge Pierluisi, who served under Gov. Carlos Romero Barceló from 1977 to 1985.
After obtaining his undergraduate degree, he worked at the First Boston Corporation before pursuing his graduate degree. Prior to joining Gov. Rosselló's staff, he served as Treasurer of The Bank and Trust of Puerto Rico.

Death

Pierluisi was killed during a carjacking on June 7, 1994 in front of his parent's home. The killers took his wallet, briefcase and car.
After his death, which took place days before his planned wedding and blocks away from the San Jorge Catholic Church where the ceremony was scheduled to take place, Gov. Rosselló declared three days of official mourning and served as a pallbearer at his funeral, held at San Jorge.
The José Jaime Pierluisi Foundation, founded by family and friends and named after him, memorializes him by providing scholarships to talented Puerto Rican college students.