Origin Story

Our Story

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From Colombia to the American Dream

Wilson was born in Líbano, Tolima, Colombia where his grandfather worked as a coffee farmer. When Wilson was two years old, his father left for the United States during one of Colombia's most violent periods — seeking both economic opportunity and safety for his family. It took two years before Wilson, his brother, and mother could join him.

They arrived in the U.S. when Wilson was four, speaking no English. His parents worked factory jobs so their sons could have the opportunities they never had and realize the American Dream. Wilson became the first person in his family to graduate from college.

But his parents taught him something beyond academic achievement: this country had given their family a chance, and they had a responsibility to give back.

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His parents taught him something beyond academic achievement: this country had given their family a chance, and they had a responsibility to give back.

Service to Country

Wilson's path to service led him to the United States Air Force, where he was commissioned as an officer upon graduation from the University of Connecticut. For 20 years, he served as a public affairs officer, earning numerous national awards for crisis communication, media relations, writing, community relations and internal communications. He rose to eventually advise four-star generals on strategic communications and crisis management.

He learned that precision matters, that words have consequences, and that reaching people effectively requires more than translation — it requires authentic cultural understanding.

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Precision matters. Words have consequences. And reaching people effectively requires more than translation — it requires authentic cultural understanding.

— Wilson Camelo, President & CMO

Building Camelo

Like many immigrants, Wilson also had entrepreneurial aspirations. That dream became a reality when he founded Camelo Communication in 2013 with a clear mission: to help organizations that serve diverse communities communicate with the same cultural authenticity, values and strategic precision he learned along his journey.

Where We Are Today

Today, Camelo Communication specializes in marketing for mission-driven organizations: healthcare systems expanding access, government agencies serving all constituents, nonprofits creating social impact.

Many clients have partnered with Camelo for over a decade — not because of contracts, but because the agency delivers results and shares their commitment to the communities they serve.

Hispanic-owned and veteran-owned, Camelo Communication is built for organizations that see demographic change not as a challenge, but as an opportunity to lead.