ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic have named Maritza Martinez-Guerrero as the team’s Vice President of External Affairs and Philanthropy, Magic CEO Alex Martins announced today. Martinez-Guerrero comes from the University of Central Florida where she served in various roles for the past 22 years, most recently as the Associate Vice President for Division of Government and Community Relations, and Director at the Office of Community Relations and Economic Development.
“We are thrilled to welcome Maritza to the Magic family,” said Magic CEO Alex Martins. “She brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to building community partnerships. Through her extensive experience and background at UCF, she has built strong local relationships and has a great deal of personal pride for the Central Florida community. We are excited to have her join the Magic executive leadership team.”
Her role includes oversight of social responsibility, philanthropy and government affairs for the Magic, while also managing the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation. She will work in the marketing and social responsibility department under the direction of Shelly Wilkes, the Magic’s executive vice president of marketing and social responsibility.
While at UCF, Martinez-Guerrero was a senior level advisor to the president, vice presidents and senior administrators as it related to the university’s external standing and reputation, oversaw the university’s community relations initiatives and strategies, and advanced the university’s economic development pursuits. In addition, she supported UCF’s legislative efforts with local, state and federal officials.
Martinez-Guerrero will replace the Magic’s longtime Vice President of Community and Government Affairs, Linda Landman Gonzalez, who is retiring after 15 years with the team. Landman Gonzalez will continue to serve in an advisory role for the Magic for the next two years.
In addition to her work at UCF, Martinez-Guerrero sits on nine boards in the Central Florida area including Heart of Florida United Way, National Center for Simulation, National Entrepreneur Center, Orlando Shakes and the Winter Park Health Foundation, to name a few. She is a graduate of Leadership Orlando, Leadership Winter Park and Leadership West Orange. Martinez-Guerrero has been recognized by multiple publications for her community work and impact: Orange Appeal Woman of the Year, Onyx Magazine Woman on the Move, Vision Magazine Most Influential Hispanic and Orlando Business Journal Woman to Watch.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in General Studies, her Master of Arts in Higher Education and her Master of Business Administration all from UCF. Martinez-Guerrero resides in Orlando with her husband of 23 years, Julio E. Guerrero, and their two daughters, Juliana and Mariana.
