Our Team

For the past 28 years, Juan Carlos has been using his excellent vision, organizational and communication skills to develop and increase Americhem Pharmaceutical’s presence in Central America and the Caribbean in addition to obtaining key manufacturer representations. 

In 2014, he became the first General Manager for the University of Miami Hockey Club.  From day one, he began creating an infrastructure conducive to the growth of the program and implemented short and long-term goals. He also developed lasting relationships with key hockey equipment manufacturers, ice rinks, Coaches and General Managers across the country. He also sits on the Board of the Southern Collegiate Hockey Conference (SCHC) for the last three years. 

His love for the game of hockey and proud Latino roots, led him to launch Amerigol International Hockey Assoc., in 2017. The mission of Amerigol International is to provide hockey players from Latin America and the Caribbean an opportunity to showcase their talent by participating in the Amerigol Latam Cup Tournament. This tournament in only two years has had tremendous growth and helped increase participation not only in these countries, but also given Latinos living in the United States and Canada an opportunity to participate with their National team. 

Juan Carlos’s vision of having the tournament in South Florida has been key in introducing this great game to the local Latin American and Caribbean communities. He is committed and devoted to grow hockey not only in Latin America and the Caribbean, but throughout North America in communities where hockey is not considered a viable sport.  

Juan David Vinueza (Juanda), was born in Bogotá Colombia. He was 10 years old when he got his first pair of roller skates and it was at age 11 that he fell in love with the game of hockey. Not long after he started playing, one of his teammates ripped a clapper to the goalie who in that moment decided to quit; Juanda was eager to fill in for the goalie. “Since then, goaltending has become somewhat of an obsession”.

After living and studying 10 years in beautiful South Florida, in 2011 Juanda returned to Colombia, where he got involved with the local programs and began training young goalies for his team.

In 2015, TheGoalie.One was born. “We just wanted to make sure that Goalies knew someone was looking out for them, playing goalie is difficult enough, then you add the pressure, discipline, athleticism and everything else it involves”. 

During the last six years, Juanda has successfully run Goalie and player specific camps and clinics in different countries like Colombia, Argentina, Spain and the USA. “Working with Amerigol has been a dream, like Juan Carlos, I am a true believer in the talent that can come out of our communities with the right coaching and opportunities.”

Outside of hockey, Juanda is part owner of PMK Digital Learning, a company dedicated to corporate training. The company has been in the family for 30 years and Juanda runs the technology and innovation area, he is in charge of the digital transformation of the company and of its clients, managing projects that involve game development, software development and implementation.

Wayne Whitmore was born in Rochester, NY and grew up in a typical hockey family. Both his father and younger brother also played hockey. After high school Wayne enlisted in the Army Reserves and spent the next few years training and learning valuable leadership skills. In his early twenties he began coaching travel hockey in Rochester, and it didn't take long for Wayne to find his true passion. Growing the game of hockey.

On September 10th, 2010, Wayne moved to South Florida and immediately began coaching with the Florida Jr Panthers. He has worked with many travel hockey organizations throughout SAHOF and has helped coach hundreds of hockey players not only in Florida, but also all around the US and Canada. In 2013 Wayne was named the Head Coach of the University of Miami Club Hockey team. He coached the Hurricanes from 2013-2019. It was there where he met Juan Carlos Otero and the two began working together. First to grow college hockey at The U and then to grow hockey in South America.

On most nights Wayne can be found managing one of the top restaurants on Fort Lauderdale Beach. He also is on the Board of Directors for the Panthers Warriors. A veterans hockey organization that focuses on providing an alternative form of therapy for disabled veterans through playing hockey. Their members consist of military veterans from all branches of service and most of them are disabled veterans.

Wayne brings a strong marketing and communications background along with an unprecedented ability to connect with everyone he meets. Through his leadership Amerigol International will continue to grow and expand in South America and the Caribbean. "Hockey is a beautiful sport, and everyone deserves a chance to play the game." Wayne Whitmore.

Alyssa M. Otero was born and raised in South Florida.  She is results-oriented high school student with 3 years of work experience and a proven knowledge of branding and business development. Frequently praised as focused by her peers, she can be relied upon to help in any way possible.

Since 2018, Alyssa has been working with Amerigol International Hockey Assoc. assisting with team registrations, participating in the development of online marketing strategies, conducting online marketing initiatives, such as paid ad placement, sponsorship programs, creating content for social media.

She was a Counselor in Training at Camp Lingua in 2019, where she created and ran her own activities with students and assisted in French class.

Alyssa is currently a high school student with an expected graduation date of June 2022.

• Relevant Coursework: Advanced Placement Psychology, Debate 1 Honors, English 1 Honors , English 2 Honors , English 3 Honors
• Awards & Honors: Inductee for National English Honor Society, Inductee for RHO KAPPA (Honor Society for History), Over 400 community service hours
• Extracurricular Activities: Village Mentor, National English Honor Society (NEHS), RHO KAPPA, Debate Team
• She is fluent in French and conversational in Spanish