Dr. Orta was born on December 14, 1959 in Cardenas, Cuba.  He graduated from high school in 1977 and attended the University of Havana for more than two years in the faculty of science with a concentration in chemistry.  He was expelled in 1979 under the accusation of not being a devoted follower of the totalitarian socialist regime of the Castro brothers.  At the same time, he attended the School of Language of Marianao where he studied French. 

In May 1980 he migrated to the United States through the Mariel Boatlift and in September of the same year he began his studies at St. Thomas University from where he graduated in May 1984 with a dual degree in Psychology and Hospitality Management.  In September 1984 he began the Master’s/Doctorate degree program in Clinical Psychology at Miami Institute of Psychology. He graduated in 1990 with a Ph.D degree in Clinical Psychology.

He started working in the field of mental health in 1984 at Miami Mental Health Center as an after care counselor.  In 1985 he accepted a position as a work adjustment training counselor at Jewish Vocational Services.  In 1986 he started working with MDCPS in Adult Education and in 1989 he became a school psychologist. 

Throughout this time he has been involved in a variety of different roles as a private practitioner, and a consultant in the field of school, clinical, forensic and neeuropsychology.  In 2000 he returned to CAU as an adjunct professor in the undergraduate program, in the master’s special education program and the master’s program in guidance and counseling.  For the past 10 years he has been an active participant in local, state and national politics. 

Most recently he has been appointed by Governor Charlie Crist to the Board of Psychology and he was invited to join the Alumni Board of CAU.

In his leisure time, he enjoys playing the drums, reading and traveling. He is also actively involved in his restaurant business.