If you don’t know Tico Casamayor yet, chances are you will soon.
From playing Santa Claus at the Elderly Affairs Committee holiday party to frequently dining at one of Miami Lakes’ many restaurants, there is a chance you’ve seen the 54-year-old business owner around town.
Casamayor is at the gym before sunrise, and he follows that with a cryogenic freeze.
Later in the day he’ll join ribbon cuttings for new businesses or support volunteer committees -- Veterans, Elderly Affairs or Economic Development -- at their events.
Casamayor’s role as a community booster began when he helped Dottie Wix, who chairs the Elderly Affairs Committee, distribute food during the pandemic.
He has also helped Pedro Fiallo, a member of the town’s Elderly Affairs and Veterans Committees, at their functions.
A networker extraordinaire, Casamayor also belongs to the Business Networking International chapter in Miami Lakes.
Casamayor is the president of AC Graphics in Hialeah, which he said has a marketing and management contract for the Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce.
Married to Mylene Casamayor, the couple have an adult son, Matthew, who oversees the digital marketing arm of the family business and also helps photograph all the events they attend.
The family lives in the Loch Lomond community.
Casamayor’s great-grandfather started AC Graphics in 1946 in Cuba.
Q: Where are you from and what is your background?
A: I was born and raised in Miami and I’m Cuban. Both my parents are Cuban and met in Miami.
Q: What do you most like about Miami Lakes?
A: It’s like a little island in a big city to me. It’s a small town, but you’re in Miami and you get the best of both worlds. It’s very family-oriented. I started meeting people and people were so nice. Everyone is trying to help [each other].
Q: What do you dislike about the town?
A: For me, nothing.
Q: What are the demands/responsibilities of your current position and what do you hope to accomplish?
A: I have the printing company, maintaining that and keeping my staff. My number one priority has become helping the digital marketing company to grow because it’s [my son’s company]. With the [Miami Lakes] Chamber [of Commerce] they made [his father-in-law] Fred [Senra] president, and he came to us for help. My number one thing for the town … [is] growing that to 200 members. We’re currently at 150 members.
Q: What is your biggest accomplishment, personal or career?
A: My biggest [personal accomplishment] is family, and for my career [is] what I learned when I was younger: Helping people when they start out their businesses. My biggest accomplishment is when I see someone I helped out and their business flourishes. Also competing in a body building competition. It was one of the most fun and interesting things I have done.
Q: What would you rather be doing, what is your fantasy career?
A: When I was younger, playing NFL football as the receiver.
Q: What books are you reading, are there any podcasts you’re listening to?
A: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz podcast, and it’s playing the whole day long. A book I was recommended yesterday that I’m going to get is “Principles for Dealing with The Changing World Order,” by Ray Dalio.
Q: What have you binge-watched on TV?
A: There is a favorite right now, “Better Call Saul.”
Q: Where did you last travel to on vacation?
A: The last trip was the European one, where we went to Paris, Venice, Florence and Madrid, about three years ago.