TEAM: Jorge Tarajano

Jorge Tarajano is the current Chairman and former President/CEO of PALA Group, Inc. He is a seasoned business advisor and successful real estate developer. Jorge spent over 17 years as the President of the PALA Group, where he was responsible for the management of all operations throughout the southeastern United States.

In 2008, Jorge led PALA Group in the transition from a privately held organization to an ESOP, leaving a legacy to his family while guaranteeing employee ownership and management. He lead the growth and diversification of the organization with the addition of a new service line in 2008, and in 2016, pursued an acquisition to continue the growth and success of the organization.

As a well-respected business leader, Jorge has been recognized by
numerous business and trade organizations including the Pelican Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) where he served in various leadership roles from 1999 through 2015, including Chapter Chair and Representative to the ABC National Committee. He served on the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council from 2008 to 2017 and was the inaugural chair of the Crafts Workforce Development subcommittee. He was a founding board member of the Louisiana Workforce Education Initiative in 2016 (d/b/a Louisiana Calling) which received national recognition and was the featured program for the CMT/Viacom Foundation workforce development initiative.

Jorge joined SSA Consultants in 2021 to focus on executive coaching, ESOPs and alternative succession planning models, and leadership development in high growth business sectors.

He currently serves as the Chairman of the Tennessee Center for Employee Ownership, an organization which focuses on promoting ESOPs. Additionally, Jorge is serves on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville and is a Board member of the Middle Tennessee Council of Boy Scouts of America.

Jorge Tarajano

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