From Cuban Refugee to Wall Street: Hernandez Seeks Comptroller

Name: Joseph Hernandez Office Sought: New York State Comptroller Political Party: Republican/Conservative Current Position: Founder and Senior Managing Partner, Blue Water Venture Partners Opponent: Democratic State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli

Joseph Hernandez was just seven years old when his family fled communist Cuba in search of freedom and opportunity in America.

Born in Camagüey, Cuba, Hernandez is the son of legal immigrants who escaped Fidel Castro's communist dictatorship during the 1980 Mariel Boatlift.

His father had been imprisoned for his political beliefs. After arriving in America, his father washed dishes while his mother cleaned homes to support their family.

Their sacrifices helped launch a remarkable American success story.

Educated in Florida public schools, Hernandez earned three degrees from the University of Florida: a bachelor's in neuroscience, a master's in molecular genetics and microbiology, and an MBA in finance and entrepreneurship.

He subsequently earned a master's in epidemiology and biostatistics from Yale University and pursued graduate studies in global healthcare leadership at Oxford University.

Hernandez built a private-sector career spanning more than 25 years, founding, financing and leading more than a dozen biotechnology, healthcare and technology companies.

His career began at pharmaceutical giant Merck before moving to Silicon Valley's Affymetrix, where he oversaw the introduction of approximately a dozen diagnostic technologies.

At Digene Corporation, Hernandez helped commercialize the first FDA-approved test for human papillomavirus, or HPV, an important advancement in cancer prevention.

He subsequently founded and led biotechnology companies, taking multiple businesses public on major stock exchanges.

Today, Hernandez heads Blue Water Venture Partners, investing in healthcare innovation and emerging technologies.

The father of three now wants to apply his business and investment experience to overseeing New York's finances.

His campaign proposes aggressive audits of government agencies, stronger contract oversight and a dedicated Fraud Strike Task Force to identify improper payments before taxpayer dollars disappear.

Hernandez also promises to strengthen the state's massive public pension fund by reviewing investment performance, reducing excessive Wall Street management fees and improving financial transparency.

His signature economic proposal is a $10 billion Empire Opportunity Fund targeting financially competitive investments in New York manufacturing, technology, energy, infrastructure and life sciences.

He says investments would have to meet financial standards protecting retirees.

Hernandez's central argument is that New York needs stronger financial oversight, responsible pension management and greater accountability for government spending.

His campaign captures that philosophy on his website: New York has a leadership problem, not a revenue problem.