Home » Home » Dr. Javier Molinares Remembers His Friend, U.S. Congressman Bill Posey

Dr. Javier Molinares Remembers His Friend, U.S. Congressman Bill Posey

By  //  October 6, 2026

Life and Legacy of Posey will be remembered at the Viva Brevard Gala on October 17

U.S. Congressman Bill Posey (left) and Dr. Javier Molinares (right) are pictured with award-winning pianist, Izel Calderon, who is now a teenager and will perform at the Viva Brevard Gala to honor the life and legacy of Congressman Posey.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Congressman Bill Posey was much more than a supporter of our organizations; he was part of our history. He was the person who gave me the mission to create the Viva Brevard Festival, and he believed so strongly in what we were doing that he recognized Viva Brevard in the Congressional Record.

He supported us from the beginning in the creation of the Brevard Hispanic Center and understood the needs of our Hispanic community. He promoted our English Language Integration Program because he recognized the importance of helping people learn English and create better opportunities for themselves and their families. He also created a Hispanic Committee to listen directly to our community leaders and understand their concerns.

Congressman Posey also had tremendous respect for Hispanic veterans. He was one of the leaders behind the legislation that awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. Army’s 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the Borinqueneers, recognizing the service and sacrifices of generations of Puerto Rican soldiers.

His support also meant a great deal to me personally. At the 2018 Viva Brevard Gala, Congressman Posey presented me with the Quality Floridian Award in recognition of my efforts and service to our community. Receiving that recognition from him was a very special moment for me and encouraged me to continue the work we were doing for our community.

Congressman Bill Posey (left) and Dr. Javier Molinares (right) are pictured in 2022. The life and legacy of Posey will be honored at the Viva Brevard Gala on October 17, 2026. Molinares describes Posey as, “the person who gave me the mission to create the Viva Brevard Festival.”

Every year, his office also helped us recognize local leaders at the Viva Brevard Gala by providing congressional certificates. He helped us expedite the process of creating the Brevard Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and continued supporting our efforts to bring businesses, organizations, and the Hispanic community together.

My memories of Congressman Posey are also very personal. When my son traveled to Washington, D.C., with his school, Congressman Posey personally took the time to go and greet him. That meant so much to me as a father. It was a simple gesture, but it showed the kind of person he was.

This year, at the Viva Brevard Gala, we are honoring Congressman Posey’s life and legacy for everything he did for us and for the community in general. It is very sad that he will not be there with us in person, but his legacy will always be part of Viva Brevard, the Brevard Hispanic Center, and the Brevard Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Most importantly, Congressman Bill Posey will always be in our hearts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr. Javier Molinares is an educator, journalist, U.S. Army veteran, entrepreneur, and community leader dedicated to building bridges between cultures through communication, education, healthcare, and economic development. He is the publisher of the bilingual newspaper AL DÍA TODAY, President of the Brevard Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, President of the Brevard Hispanic Center, and an Adjunct Professor of Scientific and Technical Communication at Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech).

Originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, Dr. Molinares immigrated to the United States at the age of 18. After working as a professional truck driver (CDL A), he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. While attending the Defense Language Institute (DLI), he discovered his passion for writing and communication. Just six years after beginning to learn English, he was writing professionally for FLORIDA TODAY, one of Florida’s leading daily newspapers. 

Dr. Molinares earned an associate in arts from Campbell University, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in communication from Florida Tech and later received a Master of Science in Global Strategic Communication from Florida Tech. In 2025, he earned his Ph.D. in Texts and Technology from the University of Central Florida, specializing in digital media, accessibility, and emerging technologies. 

He founded AL DÍA TODAY in 2004 to serve as a communication bridge between the Hispanic community and the broader community. He later founded the Brevard Hispanic Center, providing education, healthcare, mental health, workforce development, and family support services, and the Brevard Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which promotes entrepreneurship, leadership, and multicultural economic development throughout Florida’s Space Coast. 

Through his work in education, journalism, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement, Dr. Molinares continues to empower individuals and organizations while promoting inclusion, accessibility, and multicultural collaboration. His journey reflects the power of perseverance, lifelong learning, and service to others.