Dean’s CouncilGeorge W. Foyo
George W. Foyo
Chairman and CEO
L J International, LLC
George W. Foyo is the chairman and CEO of L J International, a consulting company supporting international business opportunities for its customers. He founded the company in 2003 to help businesses in telecom, broadcasting and healthcare succeed in the Caribbean and Latin America Region.
Until 2017, Foyo was executive vice President of Baptist Health South Florida, the premier healthcare provider in the region. Baptist Health has nine hospitals, a world-class cancer institute, more than 40 outpatient centers and over 18,000 employees. While at Baptist Health, he managed the major system-wide, corporate functions including the international division. During his tenure, the organization grew to over $2.5 billion in revenue, and to over one million annual patient interactions.
Prior to joining Baptist Health South Florida, Foyo was market president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida for the South Florida Region. During his tenure, Foyo developed a new organizational structure and market strategy for South Florida resulting in a significant market share growth. He also created new relationships with business and community organizations to position the company as a local market leader and contributor.
Previously, Foyo served as president and CEO of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, one of the oldest chambers in the country. During his tenure, the Chamber experienced significant business growth by increasing its membership, improving its service infrastructure and becoming a financially viable organization. In addition, the Chamber re-established itself as a strong advocate for business in Florida and in Washington.
Prior to his role at the Chamber, Foyo was president of DIRECTV Latin America, LLC, the company that was the exclusive provider of DIRECTV™ to Latin America and the Caribbean. Under his leadership, DIRECTV LA became the leading broadcaster of pay television programming in Latin America with local operations in 28 countries. Simultaneously, Foyo served as corporate vice president and Management Committee member for HUGHES, the majority owner of DIRECTV LA.
Foyo had already built a distinguished international career with AT&T prior to joining DIRECTV LA. He had served as president and managing director for AT&T’s Caribbean and Latin America Division, and was responsible for all of AT&T’s business interests in the region. Foyo oversaw all joint ventures and fully-owned operations. He also managed the interconnection agreements between AT&T and the local telephone companies in more than 40 countries and territories.
While at AT&T, Foyo also held other major international and domestic positions. As executive vice president of AT&T International, he introduced a new international business structure to accelerate the company’s globalization strategy. In prior years, while in Europe, he was managing director and CEO of AT&T Microelectrónica de España – a high-technology, joint venture company between AT&T and Telefónica de España – to design and manufacture microchips for the European market. He later became managing director and CEO of AT&T Microelectronics Europe, leading a regional marketing and sales organization operating in six countries. Upon his return from Europe, Foyo was named vice president of sales for AT&T’s largest business customers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States.
