Partners in Ministry
Executive Leadership.
Financial Expertise. Governance.
Organizational Health.
Strengthening Churches by Strengthening Their Leaders
We come alongside pastors and church leaders with trusted counsel, executive expertise, and practical wisdom to build healthy organizations, steward resources faithfully, and advance their God-given mission.
Everything we bring to the table has been forged through years of serving in the local church, leading ministries, navigating organizational challenges, and helping churches make wise decisions. Our guidance isn’t merely theoretical—it’s grounded in real ministry experience.
Our Mission
the leaders who serve them.
Our Vision
for healthy, growing churches.
Focus
Commitment
Meet Our Leadership Partners
Carlos Rivera
Principal & Founder
Carlos Rivera is the Principal and Founder of Ministry Advisory Group, LLC. Ordained in 2002, he holds a Bachelor of Arts from Evangel University and an MBA in Nonprofit Management and Finance from Corban University. With a diverse background as a church planter, pastor, and banker, Carlos brings a well-rounded perspective to serving churches and nonprofit organizations.
After nearly a decade of planting churches in Missouri, Carlos relocated to Florida, where he served as an administrative pastor while also working as a banker at Wells Fargo. His expertise in finance and ministry led to his recruitment by GenFi Ministries, formerly Church Extension Plan, a denominational ministry providing financial services to churches nationwide.
Carlos later transitioned back to traditional banking, serving as Southeast Regional Vice President in the Religious Institution Banking division at BMO Commercial Bank, formerly, Bank of the West. Renowned for his ability to cultivate strong client relationships, he specializes in delivering customized financial solutions. With extensive expertise in credit and commercial real estate lending, Carlos has helped churches and nonprofits develop strategic financial plans tailored to their unique needs.
Over the past decade, Carlos has facilitated more than $200 million in church financing, empowering ministries to achieve their long-term goals and expand their impact. His passion lies in equipping churches with the financial tools and strategies they need to thrive, ensuring they can continue making a difference in their communities and beyond.
Ricky Elias
Principal & COO
With over 35 years of experience in engineering and management, Ricky Elias is a licensed Professional Engineer in Florida and Puerto Rico. He holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and an MBA in Finance, and has led multimillion-dollar projects across military, commercial, and faith-based sectors.
Ricky provides strategic consulting in financial management and project development, serving both corporate and nonprofit clients. He frequently acts as an owner’s representative, guiding projects from concept to completion.
Previously, he held executive roles at Coleman Aerospace and Aerojet Rocketdyne, culminating as Vice President of Engineering, Test, and Mission Assurance. He led large engineering teams, managed critical budgets, and oversaw programs including a major Return to Flight initiative with the Missile Defense Agency.
A credentialed Assemblies of God minister, Ricky brings integrity, technical expertise, and a passion for ministry. He has helped develop dozens of church facility projects and understands the unique needs of faith-based organizations.
Ricky recently joined Ministry Advisory Group (MAG) as Principal and Chief Operating Officer, where he looks forward to bringing his leadership, engineering background, and financial expertise to further MAG’s mission of serving churches and nonprofit organizations with excellence.
Trusted for his insight, integrity, and results-driven approach, Ricky continues to empower organizations to navigate complex projects and turn vision into reality.
Joseph A. Ocasio, Ed.D, MBA, MA
Partner | Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development Consultant
Dr. Joseph A. Ocasio is a strategic consultant, ministry leader, and organizational development expert dedicated to helping churches, Christian schools, nonprofits, and academic institutions achieve sustainable growth through Christ-centered leadership and operational clarity.
As a Partner at Ministry Advisory Group LLP, Dr. Ocasio leads the firm’s Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development Tier, working with pastors, boards, and executive teams to develop leadership pipelines, strengthen governance, and align mission with structure. His areas of focus include strategic planning, succession planning, team health, financial sustainability, and long-term organizational vision.
With extensive experience across higher education, pastoral ministry, and business management, Dr. Ocasio has successfully led organizational restructuring, launched bilingual and online programs, and implemented data-informed strategies to optimize leadership development, recruitment, and institutional effectiveness.
An ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, Dr. Ocasio has served in senior pastoral leadership, community outreach, and church revitalization. His passion for leadership formation is also reflected in his academic and publishing work. As a bilingual author, he contributed to Los Profetas: The Prophetic Role of Hispanic Churches in America, offering insight into the role of the Church in cross-cultural missions and social transformation.
He holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Educational Leadership from Gwynedd Mercy University, an MBA in Management and Marketing from the University of South Florida, an MA in Ministerial Leadership, and a BS in Church Leadership from Southeastern University.
Tim Latiff
Partner
Tim Latiff has served over 15 years as a licensed minister, evangelist, and agent for change in the social policy and clergy network circles in Washington, D.C. and across the country.
Tim attended the University of Valley Forge and obtained an undergraduate degree in Pastoral Ministry with a minor in Business Administration. He holds a Master of Arts degree, with a concentration in Urban Studies, from Missio Seminary. He is currently a Doctoral Candidate at United Lutheran Seminary.
Tim’s varied assignments with multiple organizations in the public policy realm has given him a unique perspective of urban renewal, specifically involving clergy, faith-based agencies, and grassroots organizations. Through this work, he has secured multi-million dollars in grant funds for various initiatives, projects, and programs. His work has taken him across the nation and to the White House, which gave him a “seat at the table” amongst political and religious leaders.
Tim is one of twenty African American leaders selected to participate in a leadership development program in Israel and South Africa. Participants, after the training, serve as Peace Ambassadors and were tasked with studying issues of socio-economic disparity in various communities and offering solutions. Tim is a sought-after speaker for conferences, retreats, and other keynote addresses.
Affiliated Consultants & Trusted Vendors
Tom Gordon
Financial Consultant & Founder of Cornerstone Funding Consultants
Tom Gordon, a veteran banker and Founder of Cornerstone Funding Consultants, brings decades of expertise in financing and lending. He began his career in the financing group at General Electric, spending a decade delivering financial solutions for GE’s corporate clients. Transitioning into banking, Tom leveraged his skills to support some of the largest companies in the United States, specializing in long-term debt planning and comparative analysis of debt structures to help clients optimize their financial strategies.
A proven leader in the industry, Tom has managed multi-state banking teams and trained professionals in best practices, further solidifying his reputation for excellence. In 2018, he shifted his focus to serve the body of Christ full-time as Director of Finance for a church facility financing organization. There, he oversaw more than $200 million in financing projects, empowering churches to achieve their vision and expand their impact.
Through Cornerstone Funding Consultants, Tom continues his mission of providing expert financial guidance tailored to the unique needs of churches and nonprofit organizations, helping them build a strong financial foundation for sustainable growth.
Marilyn Rodriguez
CEO & Founder of DEROR Advisors LLC
Marilyn Rodriguez, CEO and Founder of DEROR Advisors LLC, brings over 30 years of private-sector expertise in organizational assessment, development, and compliance. With a deep understanding of federal and state regulations, she helps organizations navigate complexities while fostering sustainable growth.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Puerto Rico and a master’s degree in law with a specialization in nonprofit organizations from Trinity Law School. Currently in the dissertation phase of her PhD in Business and Leadership at Eastern University, Marilyn focuses her research on public administration and nonprofit organizations.
Recognized for her innovative approach to nonprofit strategy and philanthropy, Marilyn has led transformative initiatives that drive organizational and community impact. Her visionary leadership and commitment to research reflect her passion for building resilience, fostering meaningful change, and shaping the future of consultancy and social impact.
Michelle Nieves
Founder & Principal of Legacy Educational Partners, LLC
Michelle Nieves, Founder and Principal of Legacy Educational Partners, LLC, brings over 30 years of expertise in Christian education administration, spanning preschool through upper-level academics. She has dedicated her career to fostering excellence in Christian education, playing a pivotal role in establishing and managing dynamic learning communities that inspire both academic achievement and spiritual growth.
A proud alumna of Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in education and is a trusted advisor in Christian school administration. Her expertise includes curriculum development, faculty mentorship, enrollment growth strategies, and cultivating strong partnerships with parents and local communities.
Known for her unwavering commitment to integrating faith-based principles with academic rigor, Michelle ensures that students are equipped not only for classroom success but also for impactful leadership in their faith and society. Through Helping Hands Educational Partners, LLC, she continues to support Christian schools in fulfilling their mission of excellence and service.
How We Approach Partnership
Spirit-Led Discernment
Every engagement begins with prayer and listening.
Contextual Wisdom
No two ministries are the same. We tailor our approach to your people and calling.
Hands-On Collaboration
We don’t just advise; we co-labor with you during implementation.
Leadership Development
We invest in the people leading the mission, not just the structures.
Long-Term Growth
Our aim is not short-term fixes, but sustainable health and generational impact.
Let’s Talk!
If you sense your ministry is ready for healthier systems, better leadership culture, or your next phase of growth — we’d love to talk.
Administrative, Financial, and Construction Management Support for Thriving Churches.
Contact Us
Phone (407) 409-6820
Email: info@ministryadvisorygroup.com
Based in Orlando, Florida