Puerto Rico to the White House: A Memoir of Possibilities and Persistence

Raised in a caserío in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, Dr. Jacob Lozada discovered the American dream through discipline, faith, and relentless determination. Commissioned as a second lieutenant via ROTC in 1966, he went on to serve twenty-seven years in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, retiring with the rank of colonel. Along the way, he earned a bachelor of science, a master's in health administration, and a PhD.From military command posts across Texas, California, Korea, and Maryland—including roles in the Army's Health Services Command and the Medical Research and Development Command—to leadership in the private sector as a management consultant with EDS, Lozada's life is one of service, adaptation, and excellence.In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed him Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration at the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2003, he was tapped by the Office of Personnel Management as the special advisor for diversity strategy—a role in which he shaped federal personnel initiatives with national minority organizations.Written with candor and conviction, Puerto Rico to the White House is a memoir of relentless perseverance, cultural identity, and devoted public service. It speaks to anyone seeking purpose, leadership, or a deeper understanding of duty to community and country. Read more