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The Columbia Restaurant and the five
generations leading the nationally and internationally
acclaimed business were lauded October 30 at the Celebration
of Free Enterprise, an annual fundraiser hosted by the USF
College of Business. Nearly 475 people attended the
celebration, one of the Bay Area’s premier business
networking events, now in its 24th year. U.S.
Chamber of Commerce president Tom Donohue served as keynote
speaker for the event.
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The leadership of the Columbia Restaurant, which includes
Richard Gonzmart (left) and Andrea Gonzmart (far right),
were honored at the Celebration of Free Enterprise on
October 30. They are joined by (l-r) keynote speaker Tom
Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, USF
Trustee Rhea Law, and Melanie Gonzmart.
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Honored for its significant contributions to the free
enterprise system in all areas of endeavor, the Columbia is
truly a great business story, with each generation bringing
an entrepreneurial spirit to the leadership team. Today’s
team, led by Richard Gonzmart and comprised of fourth and
fifth generations of the family, has blended tradition with
contemporary business practices, demonstrating that it takes
more than luck and inheritance to keep a business thriving
for more than a century.
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Members
of the Gonzmart family and the Columbia Restaurant
leadership team pose with Rocky the
Bull after the
Celebration of Free Enterprise.
The Columbia’s team
includes several USF
grads, including Lauren Gonzmart
Schellman
and Andrea Gonzmart. |
Presented by Northwestern Mutual
Financial Network/The Teague Financial Group, the event
raised funds for scholarship and student programs at the
College of Business. Premium level sponsors included
Platinum Bank, Southern Laser, and Teasdale Worldwide.
Media Sponsors for the event included Maddux Business Report,
The Tampa Tribune, and WUSF.
To view additional photos from the
evening and learn more about the honoree, visit
www.coba.usf.edu and click on the
Celebration of Free Enterprise link.
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College
of Business Administration Quarterly Newsletter