Since the mid 1990s Gilberto has built a network of political and business relationships. His coalition-building savvy have produced strategies that benefit his domestic and international clients. 

He is a veteran of four presidential campaigns. In 2000 he led the National Latino Presidential Campaign for the Democratic National Committee (DNC). He also directed the DNC’s Office of Voter Participation. 

He served as the Director of Communications for the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, working along side WIllie Velasquez.

In 1992 Gilberto turned a start-up business into a successful security printing business. This plus his commitment for a strong civic presence, was recognized as the "Hispanic Businessman of the Year" and as "Volunteer of the Year" by the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Hispanic magazine recognized Gilberto as a "Rising Entrepreneur."

Gilberto has served on the National Advisory Boards of the Resolution Trust Corporation, the US Small Business Administration, the US Secretary of Energy, and the Smithsonian Task Force on Latino Affairs.