Mike Nieves

Michael D. Nieves is the president and CEO of Hispanic Information Television Network (HITN), the largest non-commercial, Spanish language television network in the United States. Since taking the role in 2015, HITN has added over 10 million new Latino households to its viewing audience and secured a partnership with Sprint Communications that will support HITN’s mission for at least the next 30 years.

Prior to HITN, Nieves was a senior political adviser to Democratic elected officials throughout New York State, and the deputy chief of staff to three successive New York City Council Speakers.

Amongst those he has counseled and represented are City Council Speakers Christine Quinn, Gifford Miller and Peter Vallone; City Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera; Assemblyman and Bronx Democratic leader José Rivera; Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields; and Assemblyman Nelson Denis.

HITN Since taking the role in 2015 Mr. Nieves has pushed the boundaries of HITN’s commitment to provide its viewers with educational and entertaining content by working with some of the most important producers in the world from BBC, Discovery, NatGeo, and CNET to create a carefully curated list of programs for its viewers. Also, under his stewardship, HITN has added 10 million new households to its viewing audience to now reach more than 44 million households nationwide. HITN has even received three Emmy nominations in 2016—its first time since HITN’s inception in 1981.

During the 2016 election, Nieves conceived the HITN original production, Tu Momento, a Spanish language television program explaining the US electoral process from state primaries and caucuses, to Inauguration Day. The program was awarded the Social Good Leader Award of 2016 by Cynopsis Media, publisher of trade publications for the television, media, digital, and sports TV industries. Since Nieves' arrival, HITN has received three Emmy nominations, its first nominations since its inception in 1981.

Early life

Nieves’ parents moved to New York from Puerto Rico (Puerto Ricans were American citizens from 1915). His father, Candido Nieves, worked many years at Interboro Hospital in Brooklyn. His mother Andrea was an active member of St. Barbara's Parish in Bushwick, and also the East Brooklyn Churches.

For nearly thirty years, since the mid-1980s, Nieves was also active in St. Barbara's Parish in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Nieves graduated from the competitive Brooklyn Technical High School and York College, and founded the management consulting firm of Nieves Associates.

Nieves and his wife have a daughter named Daniela.

As a follow-up to this renovation, in 2009, the Pope John II Family Academy opened at the church. The school is extremely successful, its enrollment is full, and it has a long waiting list.

New York City Council campaign In 2013, Nieves announced his candidacy for the New York City Council for the 37th district of Brooklyn – encompassing Bushwick; Cypress Hills; and portions of East New York, Ocean-Hill, Brownsville and Wyckoff Heights. After raising approximately $23,000, Nieves announced he was dropping out of the race. When the required signatures for being placed on the ballot were challenged, he stated the money he raised had been exhausted due to lawyer fees associated with fighting the challenge.

Political consulting Among Latino elected officials, Mr. Nieves is renowned for his expertise in political strategy, public policy, and election law. From 1989 to 1999, prior to his government service, he was principal and owner of Nieves Associates, a consulting firm instrumental in advising and consulting to Latino and other candidates and elected officials. From 2010 to 2015, he was CEO of Michael Nieves Consulting, continuing to share his expertise with both candidates and elected officials. Mr. Nieves is hailed by many as one of the top Latino political operatives in the State of New York. He has also served as an advisor on educational policy to the government of Puerto Rico.

Honors and recognition

His community involvements include the boards of the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in Chicago, National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, SOMOS New York, New York City Public Schools Community School Board #32, and the New York Puerto Rican Day Parade. Mr. Nieves was listed as an honoree of City and State’s 50 over Fifty and was awarded “Hero of the Month” by Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams for his relief efforts in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Also, he was recognized as one of City and State’s 100 Responsible Corporate Social Responsibility figures. He and his family are active members of St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Brooklyn, NY.