Answer:

AMIGOS: How did your involvement in AMIGOS impact your life? 

Matt: I definitely joined AMIGOS as an immature young man. The experience really opened my eyes to the outside world, and it helped me grow as a human. When I got home I no longer acted like the world revolved around me and it created an urgency for me to learn Spanish because I wanted to return as soon as I could. 

AMIGOS: What was your AMIGOS experience like?  

Matt: It was a life defining experience and it was a lot of fun. I was able to meet many interesting and caring people.  My AMIGOS service taught me to be able to work well in a team and to keep an open mind. I would attribute my love for solving problems to my AMIGOS experience.

AMIGOS: What is your most interesting AMIGOS memory? 

Matt: After completing a project at a local family’s home they invited us to a party that included the whole neighborhood. All of the older women were dancing with their colorful dresses and bowler hats while most of the men were drinking “Chicha” (a fermented corn based drink). The family had prepared cuy (guinea pig) for us as a thank you for all of our hard work. I was familiar with the guinea pig but I never thought that I would ever eat it. It was a great honor for us to be offered such a meal.  

AMIGOS: What is your family like?

Matt: The one word that comes to mind is busy. We just had a new baby girl that we named Carolina. She is three months old. Our oldest daughter Alejandra is almost seven years old and she just started first grade. We try and stay very active in her school, so when I'm not working we are frequently volunteering and serving the school. We also spend a lot of time making sure that Alejandra is involved in activities. I’m lucky because I have my supportive parents nearby.

AMIGOS: In what ways did your AMIGOS experience influence your career? 

Matt:  Well, if I had not volunteered for service with AMIGOS, I probably would not be pursuing my current dream. My AMIGOS experience gave me the opportunity to improve myself and help others. It also opened my eyes to a whole new world that in turn allowed me a greater vision in deciding my career path.   

AMIGOS: What project are you currently working on? 

Matt: We are currently trying to spread the good news about our products through various media outlets. We are really trying to focus on consumer-to-consumer marketing. I also spend part of my day trying to manage our sales team while pursuing new opportunities.  

AMIGOS: Are you passionate about Latin American affairs or the Spanish language?

Matt: Yes, I earned a bachelor of arts in Spanish, and I have lived in Mexico and South America because I love the culture and the people. I had to go back to Mexico to study Spanish during college because I was struggling with it. Spanish was not my best subject in school, but I decided it would be better to be challenged rather than take the path of least resistance, while I was in Mexico I rarely spoke English.  

I have not traveled much lately due to all of my current obligations, but I continue to follow the news that comes out of Latin America. My wife’s family still lives in Mexico so we always are talking with them. There are still serious problems throughout Latin America due to long-standing social inequities. This is one of the reasons that I support AMIGOS. I believe that our interested young people still have a key role to play in helping our brothers and sisters down south.

AMIGOS: How did you become interested in organic tamales?

Matt: Well, for years I worked in finance, but I came to realize that it was not my calling, and that I better find something else to do or my life was going to be miserable. I had seen other people struggle with the same problem for years and I decided that I would not fall into the same trap. It takes courage to follow your dreams. Risk can be stressful, but it also keeps your blood flowing. I never get bored with what I am doing, but I also don’t sleep as much as the average person. I started El Bravo because I really wanted to celebrate my wife’s cultural heritage and help people by providing a healthy yet great tasting food product. I really enjoy the creativity required to create great food. I have no formal training but I am always learning new techniques and creating new recipes.

AMIGOS: Where can alumni purchase your tamales?

Matt: Our organic tamales are currently in distribution throughout California, and in the following states: Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. We are always adding new locations. The best way to find us would be to go onto our site and check out our “where to buy page.”  If Alumni don’t have tamales available at their preferred grocer they can speak with the store manager and request them. Thanks for asking!