Latin times : How did you get started in your profession ? latinoMovern ’ Shaker : I was drawn to politics since a very early age , and I have worked on local campaigns since I was 12 Years old . When I was 18 , I worked on the campaign of an obscure state senator from Miami that at the time , no one knew : Bob Graham . At the time , Bob Graham had a 2 % name recognition not to confuse that for 2 % of the vote , but rather , 2 % name recognition . I tend to support the underdog , if I believe in them . When I went to work for Barrack Obama , Hillary Clinton was up by 30 %.
Latin times : As a young boy , what did you aspire to become ? latinoMovernShaker : My inspiration really came out of the public service that I saw in my mother . She helped to develop one of the first head-start programs in the United
States . Her life has always been about public service , and she got me into liking politics and public service . My mother took me to my first political event when I was 8 years old . We saw Leroy Collins who was running for senator , and he was a very distinguished former governor . As I remember he was talking and shaking people ’ s hands , people were cheering . He came to where me and my mother were standing , got down to eye level with me and he said “ young man thank you for your support ”. To have this very distinguished man that all these people were here to see take the time to speak to me was a very big deal to me , he became a hero to me .
Latin times : Tell us about your family … latinoMovernShaker : We are immigrants from Spain who arrived here at the turn of the century , my grandparents on my mothers side around 1920 , they settled in Ybor City , and on my fathers side , my great uncle came even earlier than that , also settling in Ybor City . They started a little grocery store specializing in Spanish home made chorizo that supplied the many Spanish restaurants in town including the Colombia Restaurant . My mother ( Delia Sanchez ) is ahead of her time , a Latina from very conservative parents , she wanted to go to college , she attended Florida State University , which at the time was an all woman school , and she later received a full scholarship for her Masters Degree in social work . It was almost unheard of for an immigrant to attend college in those days , and more so for a Latina , it was also very challenging to convince her father to let her go away to school .
Latin times : What are your immediate and / or long term professional goals ? latinoMovernShaker : I plan to take on the nomination , for Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and help the president in re-vitalizing the economy . I want to be involved in something that I can continue to support and help my community – the country or the world , walking in my mother ’ s foot steps .
Latin times : How did you get started in your profession ? latinoMovernShaker : I was hired as an intern and then worked my way up taking on increasingly complicated assignments .
Latin times : As a young boy , what did you aspire to become ? latinoMovernShaker : A lawyer or detective . I do both . I am always investigating ways to improve performance and I deal with legal issues everyday . However , the lawyers report to me .
Latin times : Tell us about your family … latinoMovernShaker : My parents are from Las Cruces , New Mexico which is my birth place . They both worked in government , my father in the U . S . Customs Service and my mother in the Border Patrol .
Latin times : What are your immediate and / or long term professional goals ? latinoMovernShaker : To help HART to become the nation ’ s best transit agency and to be recognized in my industry as a national leader on transportation .
Latin times : If you were President of the United States , what would you do to repair the Nations Economy ? latinoMovernShaker : I would reduce payroll taxes , review and where appropriate , execute the recommendations of the General Accounting Office ( GAO ) report that is produced annually ; these recommendations seek to improve efficiency and effectiveness in each and every federal agency . These two actions would reduce the size of government and the burden to tax payers and would spur economic growth .
Latin times : Who ( here or departed ) do you consider to be a role model in the Latino Community , and why ? latinoMovernShaker : Edward James Olmos . He has done an excellent job in being connected to the community on a wide range of issues and as an actor he demonstrates the viability of Hispanics to be leaders both on screen and within the community .
Latin times : Are you involved in community organizations ? Which ones ? latinoMovernShaker : I have served in many community organizations ; including , the Red Cross , Girls Scouts and in Tampa at the Greater Chamber of Commerce . Nationally , I serve on the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials ( COMTO ). Last year , I helped form a local chapter that is dedicated to helping minority businesses to improve training and make a connection with other business in seeking business in government contracting . I also work to advance education by raising funding nationally , to help fund college education through a series of individual grants .