Growing up in McAllen, Tony LaMantia dreamt about becoming an oceanographer someday.

“It’s been years since I’ve thought about that!” laughs a reminiscing LaMantia.

Relaxed and cordial, LaMantia explains how growing up in a family of farmers helped lay the foundation for a work ethic that has become legendary in his successful family-owned business, L&F Distributors.

“We learned about hard work from an early age,” he says. “I was about 11 years old when I started to help with irrigation systems, eventually graduating to picking onions. But packing melons taught me the most about the business world: The more you pack, the more you get paid. I learned hard work and aggressiveness can help you achieve your goals, whatever they may be. Nothing was unattainable if I worked hard enough.”

Since purchasing the local Budweiser distributorship in 2001, LaMantia has not only overseen the continued success of the company, but has ensured his prosperity has been infused back in the local community.

“We buy and sell beer,” LaMantia says. “We try to do it safely and profitably, but most importantly, we believe in helping our community grow. Helping our community become more educated is an investment that benefits us all.”

LaMantia wasted no time giving back and in 2002, started a scholarship program to help local students attend college. The program grew after a few short years, and eventually South Texas Academic Rising Scholars, or STARS, was born.

“We had actually started raising money for scholarships back in 1992 to benefit the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund, but we grew so big, we decided to start our own program to benefit students here in South Texas,” he acknowledges. “I’ve found education to be a great equalizer, which is why it’s such an important endeavor. Education solves so many problems, from health to crime to economics.”

The list of local organizations assisted by LaMantia and L&F Distributors is almost too many to inventory; from Big Brothers and Big Sisters and local veteran’s and law-enforcement organizations to the Women’s Shelter and HALO Flight, it’s a safe bet he’s helped most local non-profits in some form or fashion.

Scott Mandel, president of Asset Protection and Security Services, says he’s seen firsthand how tirelessly LaMantia works for local non-profits.

“Tony is a true ambassador for our community,” Mandel says. “He is genuinely concerned about the future of Corpus Christi from many aspects and as such, offers his ideas, time and financial support in an effort to further growth and prosperity.”

Mandel says he can recall one instance where LaMantia was discussing logistical details regarding his annual concert fundraiser for STARS. The event usually features a nationally recognized musical act, such as last year’s concert with country music duo Sugarland.

“I asked Tony what percentage of funds raised goes to the scholarship fund,” recalls Mandel. “When he said 100 percent, I was floored. You don’t see that type of dedication anymore. This is what separates Tony apart from everyone else.”

One of LaMantia’s biggest rewards has been meeting actual scholarship recipients while out in the community, sometimes years after the award.

“About once every month or two I’m approached by a former scholarship recipient,” he beams. “I was on a private ranch the other day, and a schoolteacher there thanked me. And a few months back I was at a political rally where an intern for a politician stopped me to say thanks. It’s truly one of the greatest thrills in the entire world.”

His philanthropy doesn’t stop with helping local non-profits raise funds or educating local youth. LaMantia believes wholeheartedly in the future of Corpus Christi and South Texas in general, which is why he also donates his time to local organizations that ensure economic prosperity for the Coastal Bend area.

Currently the chairman of the Corpus Christi Economic Development Corporation, he says the competition to bring quality jobs to Corpus Christi is aggressive, but not insurmountable.

“Our main goal right now is to attract new companies and do our best to keep the ones we have,” he says. “We’ve been fairly successful, despite our tough economic times.”

LaMantia cites the Topaz Power Group’s billion-dollar investment in upgrades in its existing power plants as a huge boon for the local economy.

“Corpus Christi will be incredibly successful someday,” he says. “We possess too many natural advantages, from our many higher education opportunities to our tourism component. It’s apparent to me we have not fully utilized our potential.”

He has also served on the board of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is a past president of the U.S.S. Lexington Museum on the Bay and has been involved with various other civic organizations and city boards.

“We saw the potential back in 2001 when our company invested in our community by purchasing the distributorship, and in the nine years since, I’ve seen a marked improvement in the success of our city. We just need more success stories, but these things take time,” he reasons. “Success breeds more success.”

The Coastal Bend community will become a shining star, LaMantia says, not just for its picturesque landscape, but also for its potential windfall in the energy sector. He says we must also continue to capitalize on our plethora of outdoor activities like hunting and fishing.

“Take a look at major cities across Texas. Not too many have the rough natural beauty that we possess. That’s rare and a huge positive in our corner,” he adds.

Currently one of the top 15 beer distributors in the United States, L&F Distributors employs more than 1,100 people at warehouses in Alice, Alpine, Beeville, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Harlingen, Laredo, McAllen, Rio Grande City and Roswell, N. M.

LaMantia’s love of the Coastal Bend area also extends to his own business investments; L&F Distributors recently began construction on a new 150,000 square-foot warehouse near the Corpus Christi International Airport.

“This new building is an investment in our community, as well as our company,” he says. “Today, we ship 40,000 cases of beer a day. We are excited at the possibilities.”

The warehouse will also feature amenities that will help the company become environmentally responsible and adapt with future trends within the industry.

“Our new building will have insulated concrete walls for energy efficiency and a roof that reduces heat gain, which will not only help us save on energy costs, but also help us reduce our impact on our resources,” he adds proudly.

When his family first started L&F Distributors in 1978, LaMantia says he can remember there were only six brands to package. Now there are more than 400. Also in that time, the company has raised its market share from 55 percent to 66 percent today.

LaMantia notes increasing those numbers is not an easy feat, considering he has such viable local competition.

“I think it all boils down to finding the right people to do their jobs,” he says with sincerity. “We just let them do what they need to do. If you find I’m hovering over you to make sure you do your job right, you know there’s something wrong. That has been the key to our success.”

The company is still very much a family business, with each of his siblings – his sister, Val, and brothers Joe III, Steve and Greg – working at the company today. His father, Joe LaMantia, Jr., lives in McAllen and is still involved with the day-to-day operations. Two nephews also work at the Corpus Christi warehouse: Nick and Greg LaMantia.

Although his work and community activism keeps him constantly on the go, LaMantia stresses he always finds time for his favorite pastime: spending time with his family, which includes his wife, Jennifer, and three children.

“We try to spend as much time together as a family, which is hard when you have two kids in college and one [who is] a junior in high school,” he chuckles.

Ultimately, LaMantia says he’s honored to help the community he loves grow and become more educated and prosperous.

“I’m just trying to leave this place better than when I found it,” he says. “And you’ve got to remember to have fun in the process. Life is too short not to have fun.”

Learn more about STARS, which awards scholarships to qualified students throughout South Texas annually, at www.SouthTexasStars.org.