Richard Gonzmart

Richard’s practical experience in the food industry began at the early age of 12, when he started spending summers as an apprentice cook in the Columbia kitchen.  He graduated high school from Tampa’s Jesuit High School in 1971 and continued at the University of Denver School of Hotel and Restaurant Management and attended the Escuela de Turismo y Hosteleria in Madrid Spain.    

 

Under Richard’s direction, the Columbia family of restaurants has expanded from two locations to seven: From the flagship Columbia in Ybor City and in Sarasota to St. Augustine, Sand Key on Clearwater Beach, Celebration, the Columbia Cafe on the Riverwalk in Tampa and the Columbia Restaurant Cafe at Tampa International Airport. All Columbia locations are owned and operated by 4th and 5th generation members of the founding family; except for the Columbia Restaurant Cafe at Tampa International Airport which is operated in partnership with HMSHost. Gonzmart also is responsible for the creation and development of Cha Cha Coconuts, with a location in Sarasota.    

 

In August 2014 Richard opened a restaurant called Ulele, named for the daughter of a legendary Native American chief. The menu features items indigenous to this area’s waters and farms. Ulele is on the Hillsborough River, just north of downtown Tampa in Tampa Heights. It's the site of a former City of Tampa Water Works building. A second location opened at Tampa International Airport in 2017.

 

In August 2016 Richard opened Goody Goody™ Burgers. A Tampa landmark since 1925 and closed since 2005, the iconic Goody Goody™ restaurant was reborn under Gonzmart’s direction in Tampa’s Hyde Park Village. The menu featured the signature P.O.X. Burger (served with pickles, onions and a tomato-based special sauce) and house-made fresh pies. A second location opened at Tampa International Airport in 2017. The Hyde Park Village location will close on Sept. 29, 2024, but the airport location remains. (Also, several Goody Goody menu items will be offered at Columbia Café at the Tampa Bay History Center on Water Street.)

 

In March 2017, Gonzmart opened a new concept, Café con Leche Ybor City, at Tampa International Airport. It is located in Airside C, along with Gonzmart’s other restaurants, Ulele and Goody Goody™. Café con Leche Ybor City offers coffee from Naviera Coffee Mills, Cuban toast and sandwiches made on Ybor City’s La Segunda Central Bakery bread and fresh made Spanish-style churros.

 

Under Richard’s leadership, The Columbia has been honored with several prestigious awards including:

 

• Named an All-American Icon by Nation’s Restaurant News, one of only 50 restaurants in the U.S. chosen

• Earned the “Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA) Award of Excellence” in 2005 and every year since.  One of the most prestigious awards in the fine dining industry.

• Named to Nation’s Restaurant News Fine Dining Hall of Fame.

• Named to Florida Trend Magazine’s Golden Spoon Hall of Fame in 2005 – the industry’s highest regional award as “One of the Top 25 Restaurants in Florida.” Named “One of Florida’s Top Restaurants” since 1967.

• Winner of Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence, in 2004 and every year since for an outstanding collection of Spanish wines (over than 1,056 wines, inventory exceeds 50,000 bottles).

• The Columbia’s Original "1905" Salad® selected as “One of America’s Top 10 Best Salads” by USA Today.

• Winner of the 2001-2002 MassMutual National Family Business of the Year award.         

 

The Gonzmart family always has been dedicated to the community. Richard learned the importance of giving back from his parents, Cesar and Adela Gonzmart. They provided financial and mentoring support to the University of South Florida in Tampa since the University’s opening in 1960. They initiated the Latino Scholarship program in 1991 to assist deserving college-bound minority students at USF.

 

In 1995, Richard implemented the annual Cesar Gonzmart Memorial Gourmet Golf Tournament with 100 percent of the money donated by players and corporate sponsors benefitting several scholarship funds at USF; the Adela and Cesar Gonzmart Memorial Scholarship and the Columbia (Centenario) Scholarship. Richard and Melanie also personally fund the Richard and Melanie Gonzmart Endowed Latino Scholarship and the Richard and Melanie Gonzmart Latino Scholarship, all benefitting the USF Latino Scholarship program. 

 

Also benefitting is USF Athletics, so that Bulls student athletes may enjoy some of the top athletic training and sports facilities across the nation, and offers other students and fans the opportunity to enjoy a collegiate athletic contest at the highest level possible on campus.

 

In 1998 Richard created the annual Columbia Restaurant Community Harvest program. Since the program began, the Columbia has given more than $4 million to non-profit organizations throughout Florida.  Through this program, each of the seven Columbia Restaurants donates 5 percent of guests’ checks in September to local charitable organizations chosen by their guests.

 

He created the annual “Richard’s Run For Life” 5K in 2002 to benefit Moffitt Cancer Center. The event has raised more than $3 million in its first 20 years.  

 

In 2014 Richard started the annual “Richard’s Father’s Day Family Walk/Jog” to benefit Moffitt Cancer Center. Since its inaugural year, the event has raised more than $1 million. 

 

For all of these events, Gonzmart pays all of the expenses and donates 100 percent of the proceeds.

 

Gonzmart serves on the Board of Directors for:

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·  Gonzmart Family Foundation

·  St. Leo University Board of Trustees

·  Tampa Bay Lightning Community Heroes Advisory Committee

·  H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute Foundation, Inc.

·  H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute’s Advanced Prostate Cancer Coalition

·  Visit Tampa Bay Advisory Board

·  Starting Right, Now

·  Board of Fellows at the University of Tampa

·  The Inaugural Florida Entrepreneur & Family Business Advisory Board at the University of Tampa

·  Florida Highway Patrol Advisory Council Executive Board of Directors

·  Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association

·  University of South Florida Foundation & Emeritus Society Program

·  University of South Florida Athletic Task Force

·  University of South Florida Latin Community Advisory Committee

·  TGH Foundation Campaign Committe

·  AMI Kids

 

In 1982, Gonzmart was appointed by President Reagan to the Selective Service Board serving 20 years as chairman of Tampa’s District 30 until the mandatory retirement in 2002.

 

Gonzmart has also served previously on the Board of Directors for:

 

• Chairman for the Board of Directors for Visit Tampa Bay

• Two terms on the Executive Committee and Board of Governors of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce

• Tampa General Hospital’s Governing Board and Trustees

• Chairman - University of South Florida Hall of Fame Selection Committee

• Advisory Committee for the Culinary Operations Academy for Hillsborough High Schools

• 30 years on the Hillsborough County Commission Tourist Development Council

• Cristo Rey Tampa High School

• Tampa Bay Humane Society Advisory Board

• Florida Council on Arts and Culture

• United Way

• J. Clifford McDonald Center

• The National Conference of Christians and Jews

• Two terms on the Board of Directors for the Straz Center for the Performing Arts

• Jesuit High School Foundation and the Board of Trustees

• Trustee of the Academy of the Holy Names

• President of the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce

• Founding Chairman St. Johns Florida Restaurant Board

 

Richard was inducted into these Hall of Fames:

 

• 2018 Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA) Hall of Fame

• 2010 Academy of the Holy Names Athletics Hall of Fame

• 2006 Florida Tourism Hall of Fame by the Florida Commission on Tourism

• 2003 Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame

• 2001 Florida State University Dedman School of Hospitality Hall of Fame

• 2000 Jesuit Athletic Hall of Fame

 

Richard has received many honors and awards, including:

 

• 2024 Persons of Vision recognition from Preserve Vision Florida

• 2018 – 2022 Living Legends Recognition by Florida Trend

• 2019 Top Entrepreneur Award from the Business Observer

• 2019 Distinguished Citizen Award from the Boy Scouts of America, Greater Tampa Bay Area Council

• 2019 President’s Distinguished Citizen Award from the University of South Florida  

• 2019 “Dreammaker” by the Children’s Dream Fund

• 2018 - Honored for Industry Leadership and Generous Philanthropy from the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau

• 2018, 2017 and 2013 Outstanding Restaurateur James Beard Foundation Nominee

• 2017 Employer of the Year for hiring and helping employees with disabilities from The Able Trust

• 2017 National NACCE Entrepreneur Award

• 2017 Paul Harris Fellow recognition from the Rotary Foundation

• 2016 Philip A. McNiff Community Service Award from the Gold Shield Foundation

• Lifetime Achievement Award - 2016 Outstanding Directors, from Tampa Bay Business Journal

• James H. “Jimbo” Kynes 2016 Citizen of the Year Award from The Economic Club of Tampa

• 2016 Lotus Award on behalf of Starting Right, Now

• 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year from The University of South Florida’s Alumni Society of Entrepreneurs

• 2016 Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice – The highest honor which the Pope, on behalf of the Catholic church, awards to its lay and religious members.

• 2016 St. John Bosco Award from the Salesian Sisters

• 2016 Community Impact Award from The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA

• 2016 Named on the “Power 100 List of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Business Leaders” by the Tampa Bay Business Journal

• 2016 Named one of the "25 Most Influential Business Players in Tampa Bay" by the Tampa Bay Times

• 2015 Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts IMPACT Award 

• 2015 Tampa Bay Ethics Award from The University of Tampa’s Center for Ethics

• 2015 Inaugural Luminaries Award from The Junior League of Tampa and WEDU

• 2015 Community Hero from The Tampa Bay Lightning

• 2015 Visionary Award on behalf of the Foundation Fighting Blindness

• 2014 Soul Award on behalf of Starting Right, Now

• 2014 Bill & Martha Minahan Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of N.O.T.E.

• 2013 Victor E. DiMaio Award on behalf of the Ybor City Lions Club

• 2012 Helen Ayala Davis Award on behalf of the Children’s Home    

• 2012 Tampa Metro Civitan Club Citizen of the Year

• 2012 Outstanding Restaurateur James Beard Foundation Nominee

• 2012 Tampa Police Citizen of the Year by the Tampa Police Department 

• 2011 Community Hero from the Boys and Girls Clubs

• 2011 Honorary Commander of MacDill Air Force Base

• 2011  Community Hero Big Brothers and Big Sisters

• 2010 Salesian Sisters of Villa Madonna School “Thanksgiving Basket Award”

• 2010 Inaugural Diverse Community Leaders Wall Of Fame Award by the Florida State Fair

• 2010 Lion's Eye Institute Person of Vision

• 2010 American Association of State Troopers Spirit of the Trooper

• 2009 Vicente Martinez Ybor Legacy Award from the Ybor City Museum Society

• 2008 Rotary Club of Tampa’s Service Above Others Award

• 2008, Spirit of Philanthropy Award National Philanthropy Day

• 2007 St. Joseph’s Hospitals’ Community Benefactor

• 2006 Hispanic Man of the Year Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc.

• 2005 National Restaurant Association's Humanitarian of the Year for Florida

• 2005 Top 20 Chefs in Florida by Restaurant Forum magazine

• 2005 Overall Winner - Minority Business Person of the Year" Tampa Bay Business Journal

• 2005 Father of the Year Diabetes Foundation

• 2004 Class of 1956 Award from the University of South Florida

• 2004 Citizen of the Year by the Tampa Sports Club

• 2003 Businessman of the Year by Magellan Media’s Que Pasa Hispanic Magazine

• 2001 Outstanding Citizen Optimist Club of Ybor City

• 2001 Alumni of the Year by the Academy of the Holy Names

• 2000 Alumni of the Year Jesuit High School

• 1996 Dr. Martin Luther King Drum Major Award

 

 

Family & Personal Interests

 

Richard has been married to his high school sweetheart and first love Melanie Heiny Gonzmart since 1973.  They have two daughters, Lauren Gonzmart Schellman and Andrea Gonzmart Williams. Andrea works with her father in the family business. He has five grandchildren: twins Isabella and Michael, Maximilian, Alexander and Amelia, who represent the 6th generation. He is passionate about German Shepherds and breeds and shows world-class German Shepherds around the world.

 

In addition, he is a marathon runner who has completed 24 full marathons.

 

Richard has completed more than 100 triathlons. In 1990, he was state champion of the ESM Triathlon series and finished third in the National Sprint Triathlon championships in his division.    

 

Living life to the fullest and to celebrate his Spanish heritage, he has twice run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.   

 

Richard also enjoys working with young people. He previously served as a volunteer coach for the Jesuit High School JV football and track teams. He also coached the Academy of the Holy Names girls track team for three years. Today, he actively supports AMI Kids and the dePaul School for Dyslexia. 

 

In 2006, he created “Richard’s Team for Kids,” a program to inspire elementary children to learn about running, developing self-confidence and self-esteem, while at the same time promoting a healthy lifestyle.  There are more than 700 children participating in the program now called the “Let Me Play” program.

 

He was a guest teacher for Durant High School’s hospitality course for two years. Richard also has lectured at both USF and Steinbrenner High School to students taking entry level courses on hospitality.

 

He annually speaks to a USF Executive Business MBA class. He also gave commencement exercise speeches to the University of South Florida Sarasota campus in 2005 and to St. Leo University in 2023. 

 

Richard is invited to Babson College annually, rated the #1 entrepreneurial school in the United States, as a speaker in Babson’s Ultimate Entrepreneurial Challenge Class. Over the last 20 years he has consistently been named the #1 Guest Speaker. He also speaks annually at a University of Tampa’s Family Business Course.

 

He was a presenting sponsor of Chapter VIII of the annual National “Police Unity Tour” for 18 years. One year, he rode with the police over three days and 220 miles from Virginia to Washington D.C. with the bicycle ride ending at the Law Enforcement Memorial.

 

He has completed a nine-week Tampa Police Citizens Training Academy. He also is an Honorary Hillsborough County Deputy Sheriff and Honorary Tampa Police officer.

 

In November 2020, Richard opened Casa Santo Stefano in Ybor City in the former Ferlita Macaroni Factory built in 1925. The restaurant and rooftop Santo’s Drinkeria are an homage to the Sicilian immigrants who emigrated to Ybor City in the late 1890s and early 1900s to make a new life. The dining experience is intended to remind guests of dining at Nana’s, much the way Richard did as a boy when he enjoyed Sunday suppers at his Sicilian best friend Vince Palori’s house.

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