It was September 20, 2017 when Hurricane Maria, a dangerous category 4 storm with winds of up to 155 miles per hour hit Puerto Rico. Alex Alba was in college attending the University of Georgia, but he wasn’t thinking about school or his classes as the storm headed for his father’s homeland. On the day the storm made landfall, Alex was thinking of his family members, who still lived there and were in harm’s way.
For safety, those living on the coast had to move inland, including Alex’s grandmother, who stayed inland with a family member. Thankfully, once the storm passed, Alex learned his family members had survived the storm. It was time to assess the damage and clean up. Alex collected donations to help with some of the minor repairs needed to his grandmother’s home. At the time that was about all Alex could do to help.
Growing up Alex says he and his immediate family here in the states spent a lot of time in Puerto Rico. But after the storm, it was several months before Alex and his family could visit again. Spring 2018 they headed to Puerto Rico, and Alex recalled the devastation that still lingered. Restaurants and shops that usually bustled with tourists and shoppers were closed, areas of roads were still mangled and broken apart, and construction – construction was everywhere.
The website, Discover Puerto Rico, says Puerto Rico consists of the main island, four small islands and hundreds of cays and islets. Affectionately known as the “heart and soul” of the Caribbean, the site says it’s the people of the island that hold the island’s charm.
And Alex agrees. In the midst of devastation, there was rebuilding – lots of rebuilding. What Alex noticed is the resiliency of Puerto Ricans. He says he saw people playing music and coming together to help one another. “Puerto Ricans are very passionate people,” Alex says. “I may have been born here [in the U.S.], but I feel like my heart is from Puerto Rico.”
While much of the damage from the storm was physical, many suffered financially. Alex says you can’t fully prepare financially for a storm like Hurricane Maria, but he realized he could help educate people to close some of the financial literacy gaps that keep them from making sound financial decisions.
Today Alex works as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional to help people gain a better understanding of how their financial decisions today affect their financial future. “It’s what I do for a living,” Alex says. “And I truly enjoy being able to help guide people to make sure they’re making those decisions.”
Much of Puerto Rico has recovered, but Alex says there are still remnants of damage. It’s a long recovery. Puerto Rico’s economy is dependent on tourism, and Alex says we can help by visiting the island he has such fondness for. “Just visit the island,” he says. “The island has so many beautiful areas. There are beautiful hotels, the rainforest, and the shops and restaurants. Everything is local.” Alex admits that he’s biased when he says Puerto Ricans are the best people in the world because of their big hearts. Perhaps it’s worth a visit to find out.
Learn more about Puerto Rico, at DiscoverPuertoRico.com. Learn more about Alex Alba and what he does as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at thepiedmontgroups.com.
Alex is a registered representative of and offers securities and investment advisory services through MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. 1050 Crown Pointe Pkwy Suite 1800 Atlanta, GA 30338. 770-551-3400.
"Puerto Ricans are very passionate people." Alex Alba