Latin times : How did you get started in your profession ? latinoMovernShaker : I went to the business school at Florida State University and so now I open businesses for a living . I look for niche markets and talented people .
Latin times : As a young boy , what did you aspire to become ? latinoMovernShaker : I always wanted to be the richest man in the world .
Latin times : Tell us about your family .. latinoMovernShaker : My mother is from Ecuador and my father is from Peabody , Kansas . It was like “ I love Lucy ” in reverse .
Latin times : What are your immediate and / or long term professional goals ? latinoMovernShaker : My long-term professional goal is to start a business that will change the Hispanic Community ’ s perspective on the subject of business in general .
Latin times : What is your definition of success ? latinoMovernShaker : I think real success is when you can afford to give back to the community and make a difference .
Latin times : If you were President of the United States , what would you do to repair the Nations Economy ? latinoMovernShaker : I ’ d find resources to invest into new ideas and to help people with real entrepreneurial spirit , people like me .
Latin times : What do you feel is the best way to help the national Latino community during this time of economic turmoil ? latinoMovernShaker : The best way is to stop giving bail-outs to corporations and start giving money to people and to support small businesses .
Latin times : Who ( here or departed ) do you consider to be a role model in the Latino Community , and why ? latinoMovernShaker : My role model is the publisher of Latin Times magazine . She is hardworking , entrepreneurial and drop-dead gorgeous .
Latin times : What advice would you give to young Latinos about pursuing their goals ? latinoMovernShaker : Get an education and meet as many people as you can .
Latin times : Are you involved in community organizations ? Which ones ? latinoMovernShaker : Yes , the Hispanic Foreclosure Alliance , which is a non profit organization with a focus on raising funds to bail-out struggling Hispanic homeowners .
Latin times : How did you get started in your profession ? latinoMovernShaker : My brothers Bill and Santiago and I were the only three soccer players in our small town of Labelle , so we were asked to kick on our high school football team . I did not kick a football until I was a senior in high school .
Latin times : Tell us about your family … latinoMovernShaker : I am married to a beautiful woman named Ashlee and we have two wonderful boys named Nico , who is three , and Gaston , who is one .
Latin times : What are your immediate and / or long term professional goals ? latinoMovernShaker : Since retiring from the
NFL , giving back to the Tampa Bay area is a personal goal . Our new company , Gramatica Group , LLC is manufacturing energy efficient , green construction homes throughout Florida and beyond . Our Mission for this company is to create green construction solutions to preserve our planet .
Latin times : What is your definition of success ? latinoMovernShaker : My definition of success has changed over the years . Five years ago my success was solely based on making field goals and winning football games . However since becoming a father , I will be successful when I can participate in creating a clean environment for my children ’ s future .
Latin times : Who ( here or departed ) do you consider to be a role model in the Latino Community , and why ? latinoMovernShaker : My role model is Diego Maradona . I have looked up to him my entire life , not because he has had continued success but because through his failures he always perseveres . The truest test of anyone ’ s character is how they handle failure .
Latin times : What advice would you give to young Latinos about pursuing their goals ? latinoMovernShaker : No matter how high or unreachable your goals may seem , go for it with all heart , whoever thought that an Argentinean born soccer kicker could win a Super Bowl !
Latin times : Are you involved in community organizations ? Which ones ? latinoMovernShaker : The Martin Gramatica Family Foundation is involved in children ’ s organizations that focus on health and education within the Tampa community . Our focus in the past has been The Shriners Hospital , Children ’ s Dream Fund and The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts children ’ s programs .