Home: Exeter, CA. Birthplace: Whittier, CA. Profession: Serial entrepreneur. Organization: Sequoia Apparel, Del Rio Marketing, Inc., Broadscope Events. Significant other: Julie Acquafresca, athlete and PT aid extraordinaire. Alma mater: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Languages spoken: English and some Spanish.
Current project: Designing a tribute lowrider car for the US army. Recent professional development: Organizing an eight-city tour hosting thousands of cars and people at each venue. Latest accomplishment: Starting a software company with an associate. Latest contribution to others: Donated to the Superior (AZ) High School Scholarship Fund and the LA Children’s Hospital. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Learning a whole new industry (event management) on a national scale. Hobbies: Fishing, gardening, hunting, cooking, hiking. Recent travel or adventure: Hawaii with my daughter and Italy with my son.
Moral compass: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. How do you define a perfect friendship? One of joy and laughter, regardless of the time between visits. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Trust, care and consideration. What is your greatest joy? Spending time with my wife and children. What is your greatest fear? Death or illness to a family member or friends. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Traveling, exploring and eating in a foreign country. What is at the top of your bucket list? Climb Sawtooth Peak again, this time with my best friends (7,500 - 12,700 feet). What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Fresh air and green pine trees.
What was your favorite college course? Entomology: The Study of Insect Life. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Pitch Perfect trilogy with my daughter and wife. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My grandfather, Giuseppe Acquafresca. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Be frugal and prepare for a rainy day. What is your go-to source of news and information? Wall Street Journal, LA Times. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Human observation. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Winning a California state championship in wrestling when I was 18, in an undefeated season.
What is your big idea?
Starting a national lowrider membership council.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Helping others learn how to do profitable car shows using software and social media. What change would you like to see in the world? Less political extremism and more appreciation for how good we have it in the USA. What message do you want to send out into the world? Be true to yourself. What widely held belief do you reject? That good things happen to good people.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? He Did What?! Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My grandfather. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Early family photos. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my family on a mountain lake on a beautiful day. What advice would you give your younger self? Do it all over again with even more gusto! What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The birth of my children. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My twenties.
Personal mission: Give my children the tools to make life as enjoyable as my own has been. Personal motto: Work hard and enjoy all that remains of your time here. Favorite quote: “Veni, vidi, vici” (Julius Caesar). Desired epitaph: I told you I wasn’t feeling well!
