BS Marketing '13
David Orozco has quickly emerged as an innovator in the food and beverage industry as CEO of Brisas Empanadas, a Miami-based wholesale affiliate of his family’s Brisas Colombianas Bakery & Restaurant.
A native of Elizabeth, NJ, with ancestral roots in Medellin, Colombia, Orozco graduated from the FSU College of Business in 2013 with a degree in Marketing, majoring in Professional Sales, plus a minor in Entrepreneurship. He embarked on a career in corporate sales, worked for industry giants such as UPS and Grainger, and gained experience as an Account Executive, Senior Account Executive, and Government Account Manager.
In 2018, he joined the Colombian restaurant and bakery chain his family founded 20 years earlier in his hometown and eventually expanded to Orlando, FL. His career move marked the inception of Brisas Empanadas, a frozen-food manufacturer specializing in empanadas – savory pastries popular throughout Latin America – and a range of other Hispanic delights. He became CEO in January 2020.
Brisas Empanadas boasts authentic Latinx food options through cutting-edge technology and touts itself as an industry leader in mass-scale frozen food distribution. Under David’s leadership, the Brisas team has achieved significant milestones, expanding to over 30 states and set to be available in all 50 states by 2025. The company in 2022 became the "Official Empanada" of Seminole Sports Properties, believed to be the first such designation of its kind among so-called Power 5 universities. Brisas also stands as the Official Empanada of Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls.
David’s innovative vision extends beyond Brisas Empanadas by creating Reefer Global Logistics (RGL), a boutique consulting firm dedicated to facilitating national growth for disruptive F&B brands via supply chain management optimization. His leadership philosophy is marked by a "people-first" ethos, prioritizing the well-being of both internal and external stakeholders.
In recognition of his professional achievements and contributions to his alma mater, David was honored with the FSU College of Business's 2023 Recent Alumni Achievement Award. He has also partnered with the FSU Sales Institute to fund the David Orozco Sales Management Award, a merit-based prize for top-performing student groups each semester.
Focusing on grassroots approaches, Orozco invests in representation for people of underrepresented backgrounds. As part of that mission, Orozco’s company supports The Hive. This Miami-based nonprofit organization gives creative teens a co-working space to hone their artistic skills and includes the Brisas Creative Innovation Studio.
Orozco also cherishes time with his wife, daughter, and their dogs, and he remains a passionate supporter of Florida State University athletics. He also enjoys discovering new musicians and takes pleasure in persuading friends to explore Colombian culture.
