POSITIVE PERSPECTIVES

Local Hispanic leaders share their views on the meaning of success and other inspiring thoughts

In this new age of inner pursuits and discoveries, one often wonders how significantly the old parameters to measure success have also shifted from the outer world of material gratification, fame and power to a deeper sense of inner satisfaction. Upon exploring these and other related questions with a few of the Hispanic people behind local successes, there's no question that seemingly diverse concepts such as the meaning of success are universal and have a direct connection with pursuing meaningful goals and maintaining a positive outlook.

By GISELE MARASCA

• DEFINING SUCCESS
• OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
• EMBRACING OPTIMISM AND SERVICE
• PUSHING FORWARD

George Rodón

Anthony Claudio, born in Germany of Puerto Rican parents, says: "Success to me is not the wealth and property you accumulate in life. It's being the best you can be in your profession. It's also being happy with yourself in your life, and with your family." Claudio is lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and a law enforcement officer for the Orlando Police Department.

For Puerto Rican born-and-raised Lizette Valarino, assistant to Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty, success can mean “many different things at different times in our lives.” She adds that, although she's very happy at this point in her life and has had many moments of success, she's still striving for more.

Luis Pinzon, a Colombian business development manager for Conpilog International, agrees that we all have different goals at different times in our lives, and as we reach some of them, new ones come along. Pinzon has been successful in achieving many of his goals.His formula: "Keep your eyes fixed on where you are going, and never look down."

Epifanio Agosto is an advocate of discipline as part of the recipe for success. Agosto, a 77-year-old war veteran who is also a marathon runner, believes that "success is a byproduct of hard work to reach a desired goal through hard sacrifices in life." To date, he has participated in countless marathons and races, while earning 223 trophies and plaques, 84 medals and 26 Presidential Sports Awards. He has run more than 23,000 miles. And he's still going.

Lizette Valarino

There's also something to be said for balancing hard discipline with a lighter mood, however. "A success ... ? Probably. I do not like to take myself very seriously so that it does not goes to my head," jokes Dora Toro, native of Puerto Rico and cofounder/ CEO of the successful La Prensa newspaper. "To me, success means being able to balance and enjoy my professional career and personal life."

According to Cuban-born George Rodon, another important aspect of success relates to the influence our lives potentially have on other people. Rodon, Mayor Crotty's chief of staff and economic development director, comments that “success is a difficult thing to define.” However, he is satisfied that he has lived "the good life" both for himself and those he has touched.

Roger Corrales, a native of Colombia and owner of Rogers MT Clinic, believes overcoming challenges spells success. "It's a succession of challenges that one must overcome in order to exceed," says Corrales, who has an impressive record in sports therapy that includes having been a massage therapist at the U.S.'s first World Soccer Cup (1994) and the 1996 Olympic Games (Atlanta, Ga.).

These achievers certainly have had their share of obstacles, and still face many of them. However, they all have something in common: They never allowed any challenge to stop them.

For Corrales, the biggest personal and professional challenge is one that a lot of immigrants relate to: being from a different country, language and culture. "I had to work harder to accomplish my goals and to know what it is like to be free,” he says. “Striving for knowledge was my ambition.” Pinzon mentions similar challenges with language barrier and education. To overcome them, he dedicates himself to every day.

Louis Pinzon

Being able to adapt to change was very challenging for Claudio. "But I learned from experiences in life that changes were overcome," he recalls. Being in the military also helped. "You learn very quickly that you have to manage yourself and that you will be held accountable for your actions, whether good or bad. It also helped me understand that goals and objectives are not reached by accident; you have to plan your future and where you want to be in life, as well as how you want to achieve these goals. If not, your future is planned for you, and you may not like the outcome."

Good planning has always been very important to Toro, too. She considers as one of her biggest challenges having a job that requires working long hours while still making time for her family. Other challenges included overcoming shyness and realizing that business is business; it's not personal. How did she overcome them? "Each day you go out with an open mind and a positive attitude,” she says. “I try to solve issues one at a time, so that I don't get overwhelmed."

"The greatest challenge I had to overcome was myself," comments Valarino on the same subject. "I had to believe in my abilities and develop the courage I never knew I had."

Although Rodon moved from Cuba with his family to escape communism, and that new beginning in the new country was far from easy, those challenges didn't stand in the way. "I can't think of a biggest challenge; rather, I have taken small steps and enjoyed each of these,” he remarks.

Growing up was definitely not easy for Agosto, either. He was born during the depression years in the 1930's, where “hunger and disease were the order of the day for a country boy." There was also no transportation to elementary school, which for him meant a daily walk of four miles, and often barefoot. "That set the pace for me to run marathons all over the world," he says. Tangel-Rodriguez chose to work in a traditionally male profession (law) at a time when women were not fully accepted. That challenge wasn't easy, but even tougher was her personal battle with breast cancer. When asked how she overcame it,

Tangel-Rodriguez mentions her faith. Her motto: "Never, never, never give up!" Her role models are all the successful women who have gone before her. She also mentions her father as having always been her anchor. "He often advised me to be my own person and always make decisions based on what I feel is right," she explains.

Valarino also draws inspiration from those who have been there before her and had more difficult roads to travel. "I draw strength from my family, who has been with me in tough times,” she says. Among other roles models, Valarino also looked up to her father for "his strength, his warmth, his passionate love for his family, his ability with people."

Toro's family also inspired her the most. "My mother is my inspiration and my five children are my 'work of art,' she says. “I remember her [mother] telling: 'If you can help, help; if you cannot help, do no hurt. '”

Dora Toro

Similarly, Agosto regarded his father and mother as his role models. "The example to work hard in order to improve my family living standards was set by my father, who worked from sunrise to sunset for 40 cents a day in order to place food on the table," he says. Agosto's mother had 12 children and a very hard life, but always kept a positive attitude.

Pinzon's inspiration and strength come from God, his family, his commitment to his partners and the Hispanic community. As his role models, he mentions his youngest son Jacobo first, because "in his mind, everything is possible."

"Family and God give you the most strength when you feel down and out," says Claudio. "They help you reflect on things, and remember that work is not everything." Professionally, Claudio also studied the successful leaders who came before him. "I would take a little from everyone and try to build my own character and style," he adds.

For Corrales, it's the "dreamers and doers," such as Walt Disney,Henry Ford, Dr. Pemberton (founder of Coca-Cola) and others. "The person who has a dream makes a business plan and goes out to put it in action and to obtain positive results," he says. Corrales pulls his inspiration mostly from nature, noting: "Everyday the sun rises but everyone sees it in a different light. For me, just to see the sun shining gives me the motivation to conquer another day."

"Inspiration to me comes from others," shares Rodon. "There's something inspiring about just everyone I meet. All I have to do is to look for the good in each person I meet and soon ... there it is!"

Ana Tangel-Rodriguez

When asked about some of the most significant and rewarding moments in his personal and professional life, Rodon recalls when he graduated from college, when he landed his first professional job, when his children were born, when his friend Mel Martinez was elected County Mayor and when his friend, Major Rich Crotty, asked him to be his chief of staff. He could keep going. And what's next in his life? "The future; the best is yet to come," he says.

Tangel-Rodriguez truly enjoys every day and tries not to look too far ahead. "Being an attorney and having the opportunity to work in our community to help the disadvantage is very rewarding," she comments. "I'm so blessed to be here that every day is a joy!"

Community involvement and a positive attitude are important themes for Valarino, too. "Every year, all my work is rewarded when I see 20 or 30 Hispanic students receive the scholarships that open their doors to the future at the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Gala," she says. (Valarino is president of the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando.) In her personal life, her most rewarding moments are seeing both her children accomplish their personal goals. As for her future, she'd like to put to use the contacts and experiences accumulated over the years to help arts organizations. "I can't see myself retiring anytime soon,” she is quick to add. “So much to do!"

That also seems to be the case for Corrales. He regards himself as a positive role model for the community. "I see great things coming to me in the future,” he says. “But only time will tell what becomes of me." His most rewarding moments: having a family; and being a father, a grandfather and husband. Professionally, his most significant moments were becoming a community member, an actor/model and a professional therapist.

Pinzon's most rewarding and significant moments happened when his children were born. His most important professional accomplishment was earning his civil engineering degree. He sees himself as financially independent in the future, mainly through company consolidation. He also plans to earn his mas•ter's in business administration.

Epifanio Agosto

On a personal level, Toro has been blessed in too many ways to mention. Professionally, her most rewarding moment was when La Prensa was acquired by ImpreMedia. "Being bought by the company that owns the largest publications in the nation was really an acknowledgment to our 25 years of hard work," she says. (Manuel Toro, Dora's late husband, was co-founder of La Prensa.) When asked what the future has in store for her, Toro says that she doesn't know: "I would never have dreamed of being where I am today." Toro finally concludes: "What would make me even more complete ... having grandchildren!"

As one of the most significant times in his life, Agosto mentions the honor of having been part of the famous 65th Infantry Regiment (all Puerto Ricans), which served in World War I and World War II. He's also proud of having served as children and five great-grandchildren. "My future is full of hope and happiness until roll call," he affirms.

Roger Corrales

And what should someone who has challenges and wants to pursue a dream always keep in mind?

"Always stay positive and be real to yourself," advises Cor•rales. "Life is full of trials and tribulations; it's the negativity that you have to learn how to use to help you move forward." Corrales also believes that knowledge brings power and free•dom. "Keep an open mind to new ideas and seek constant knowledge,” he suggests.

According to Toro, it's also important to have realistic expecta•tions. And, she adds: "Work hard. Do not give up. Have a positive attitude. Remember to give back to your community and never, never lose sight of your goal." She reminds us that life is but a journey: "Sometimes it takes you through crooked paths to get where you ultimately need to be."

"Dream, dream, dream," emphasizes Rodon, "and add a dash of reality. Have a vision, think of steps to accomplish, take the steps, re-evaluate, focus, focus and, when you least expect, you are there. But, most of all, enjoy the journey; each of the steps is to be savored and appreciated."

"Have a plan," agrees Claudio."You'll be surprised how you can reach your goals when you plan it all out." He adds: "Look at someone that has reached the goal you want and learn from that person, or ask them to mentor you."

Anthony Claudio

That's also Tangel-Rodriguez's advice: "Learn from the women who have gone before you and struggled to achieve success. Do not take their or your accomplishments for granted. Additionally, be flexible. If you encounter an obstacle, try to find a creative way around it and keep your stress levels low."

Agosto emphasizes that it's important to take good care of yourself. "I would advise everyone to start in the early years to exercise, eat healthy, study as much as they can and beyond,” he says. “Also, play by the rules at home and everywhere, and show respect and courtesy to all. Go the extra mile. You'll be out of trouble and happy."

"Who doesn't have challenges?" asks Valarino. "And why should they become an obstacle to what we want to achieve? Challenge is just another word for opportunity. Find your dream, find the way to reach it and give it all you have. You only live once!"

Gisele Marasca, native of Brazil, is co-publisher of Ahora Orlando Magazine.