WASHINGTON, D.C.—Lawyer and top-level government adviser Moe Vela will be the keynote speaker for Womble Carlyle’s Hispanic Heritage Month event, speaking on “Building on Our Commonalities and Celebrating Our Differences.”

Mr. Vela’s presentation takes place Sept. 26 in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office and will be broadcast to the firm’s other offices. His presentation is presented by the firm’s Diversity Committee.

Mr. Vela is the CEO of The Vela Group, LLC, a global business development consulting firm with clients in the U.S. and Latin America. In addition to running his firm, he is the CEO of Omega Technology Solutions, a premier healthcare solutions company, and also Of Counsel at the law firm of Stein Mitchell Cipollone Beato and Missner. Mr. Vela’s areas of experience include business development, public policy, government relations and Latino advocacy and outreach. He is also an adjunct professor at American University Washington College of Law.

Mr. Vela is a longtime Washington insider. His leadership & counsel have been sought by some of the country's top political and business leaders. Mr. Vela served in President Obama's administration as the Director of Administration and Senior Advisor in the Office of Vice President Joe Biden. The stint was his second White House appointment as he also served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Advisor on Hispanic Affairs for Vice President Al Gore.

He has been named one of the Top 100 Hispanics in America by "Hispanic Business" magazine and was twice named as one of the 101 Most Influential Latinos by "Latino Leaders" magazine, as well as, one of Washington's Top 300 Insiders by the "National Journal" and to the Powermeter 100 - the Washington area's most influential individuals for Hispanic communities by "El Tiempo Latino."

A proud Texan, Mr. Vela earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Austin and his law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law. He currently lives in Maryland with his dogs, Anatalya and Titan.