Arnaldo Soto, Jr. is the CEO of VAS Corp, President of Soto Specialty Group, LLC and partner of Constructors Bonding, Inc, former Founder, Chairman & CEO of AQST Space Systems Group, former Board Member for the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, former Member Mesa Industry & Defense Council, former Board Member for the Northern Arizona Military Affairs Council, former Chairman and Founder of the America’s Aerospace Summit, former Chairman Emeritus of the Puerto Rico Construction Industry & Infrastructure Cluster and former Committee Chair of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers (“NASBP”) Small and Emerging Business Committee. Prior to moving to Arizona and founding AQST, Mr. Soto was Senior Vice President in charge of Construction and Bonds at Hub International/CLC d/b/a Carrion, Laffitte & Casellas. Prior to their selling to Hub International, he was Executive Vice President, Partner and Member of the Board of Directors of Carrion, Laffitte & Casellas, Inc. Insurance Brokers.

Mr. Soto was Chairman Emeritus of the Puerto Rico Construction & Infrastructure Cluster and held the position of President for 3 consecutive terms (of one year each). He was recognized by the media, El Nuevo Día and Caribbean Business as one of the individual’s responsible for the Development of the Aerospace Industry in the Puerto Rico. He was also Member of the Board of the Builder’s Association (formerly the Homebuilder’s Association), where he presided the Industrial Sector Committee, Scholarship Committee and previously presided their Golf Tournament. He is a former Member of the Board of Directors of the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association as representative of the Banking Sector and Member of the Internationalization Committee. He was a Member of Puerto Rico is the Answer where he presided their Aerospace Committee. Mr Soto Co-founded Puerto Rico Associated General Contractors Association Young Contractor’s Committee and participated in other important Committees such as Marketing and Human Resources. Also, he was one of the Founding Members of the NASBP “ Small and Emerging Business Committee”, Member of the Board of Directors, Ex Officio Member of the Executive Committee and Regional Vice President of the Association.

Mr Soto has been a Panelist, Speaker and Advocate of the Development of the Aerospace Industry in Arizona and Puerto Rico. Mr. Soto graduated from Colegio San Ignacio and Georgetown University where he obtained dual degrees in Finance and International Management, and later earned an MBA from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. He, started his career as a Stockbroker/Financial Advisor for Drexel Burham Lambert and later joined Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith. Mr. Soto finally found his passion when he joined National Insurance Company as Assistant Vice President in charge of Bonds, Construction Insurance and Reinsurance. His insurance experience includes having taken specialized Insurance and Reinsurance Seminars at Seabord Surety Company, Munich Re, Johnson & Higgins and Marsh, Inc., among others.  As a specialist in the areas of Construction Insurance and Bonds, he became Vice President and Partner of Saldaña & Associates (now Marsh) prior to joining Carrion, Laffitte & Casellas (now Hub International/CLC). In 2009 Mr. Soto received  the “Distinguished Associate of the Year Award” for the Homebuilder’s Association. Under his term as President of the Puerto Rico Construction & Infrastructure Cluster, the Cluster was named to the Caribbean Business Power 100 List of Influential Organizations in the Island. He loves to spend time at sea, with his family and friends navigating the Caribbean waters.