Casey Gonzmart, Jr.
Casey Jr. is the great-great-grandson of Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., founder of the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City in 1905. His grandparents were Cesar and Adela Gonzmart, and he is the son of Casey Gonzmart -- the Chairman of the Columbia Restaurant and the late Mary Jourdet Gonzmart. Casey Jr. is a member of the fifth generation of the Hernandez-Gonzmart family.
Growing up within his family’s restaurant, Casey Jr. was introduced to the hospitality industry at an early age and has been able to continue that passion throughout his life.
Casey Jr. graduated from Tampa’s Jesuit High School and continued his formal education in hospitality, focusing on hotel and restaurant management at Florida State University.
While at Florida State, he was a key member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Phi Sigma Theta National Honor Society, Eta Sigma Delta Hospitality Honor Society and National Society of Minorities in Hospitality. He apprenticed at the prestigious Torres Winery in Barcelona, Spain alongside award-winning founder Miguel Torres.
Prior to joining the family business, after college, Casey began working with Levy Restaurants at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The company was founded in Chicago in 1978, is recognized as one of America’s fastest growing and most critically acclaimed restaurant companies, and is the leader in premium sports and entertainment dining concessions. He learned all facets of operations; from catering, banquets, sales and restaurants. He was soon promoted to General Manger of Suites.
Casey was involved in many large events during his career with Levy, including managing the catering for Super Bowl XLIII, as well as all exclusive VIP areas; collaborating with M-Group Scenic to create layout, menu, timeline, designed for the NFL On-Location during Super Bowl XLIII, managing a staff of 300+ people.
He also traveled to other Levy properties to manage on-site events at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, All Red Bull Racing Inc, Chicago Land Motor Speedway, Infineon Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Wachovia Golf Championship in Charlotte, Outback Bowl, The ACC Championship, Chicago White Sox Stadium and Chicago Cubs Stadium. He was also part of the team that directed the launch of the first westernized stadium in Latin America in Torreon, Mexico working with sister company, Eurest.
Casey joined the family business in 2011 as an assistant manager at Columbia at The Pier in St. Petersburg, learning all aspects of back-of-the-house and front-of-the-house operations, including assisting in the hiring and training of new employees.
In March 2012 he became general manager of the newest Columbia: The Columbia Restaurant Cafe at Tampa International Airport.
Through the years, Casey Jr. has participated in a number of community organizations. He is currently involved with the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce, Tampa Bay History Center, Seminole Club of Tampa, and Business Buddies of Florida.
Casey Jr. is the oldest son of Casey Gonzmart’s seven children. He is married to Jennifer, and they have two children, Adalyne and Casey III.
