| CBI Interview |
CBI: What’s most important to club members today? What trends do you see emerging over the next five years?
AM: What our members want most is great service and state-of-the-art equipment. In terms of trends, we’re observing a growing interest in cross-training, yoga, and other mind-body activities. Mexico, unfortu- nately, is tracking the U.S. in terms of obesity—with the current level at about 30%—and the rate is increasing most rapidly among children. In response, we’re now offering weight-manage- ment programs.
Spinning room, group fitness, and a pool, with dues of under $100 per month. Sport City Active is still in the testing phase, and we may open more locations in the future.
CBI: Moving on to a more personal, but no less important, topic: we’ve learned that you will soon be honored with the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service. How did this nomination come about?
AM: In 2008, my 14-year-old son, Fernando, was kidnapped and murdered. Despite all the grief and sorrow I felt, I decided not to retreat, but to fight
“In 2008, my 14-year-old son, Fernando, was kidnapped and murdered. Despite all the grief and sorrow I felt, I decided not to retreat, but to fight against crime and the corruption and indifference of the Mexican government.”
CBI: Do you expect to open more clubs in 2012? AM: We plan to continue at our current pace of expansion—opening three or four clubs a year.
CBI: How has Sport City been coping with the global economic downturn?
AM: At Sport City, we have fought to improve retention by improving our service. We have also generated sales with special offerings, such as new group classes each month.
CBI: Given the current economic state, how is your new low-cost operation, Sport City Active, faring?
AM: Sport City Active, which we launched earlier this year, already has 2,700 members. This 40,000-square- foot club offers cardio and weights, a
40 Club Business Internat ional | NOVEMBER 2011 |
against crime and the corruption and indifference of the Mexican govern- ment. I raised my voice because I did not want to tolerate more cases like Fernando’s. I founded Mexico SOS, an organization that promotes legal reform and a reliable judicial system. Many Mexican people have joined me in this effort. Early this year, I received the notice
from the Woodrow Wilson Center of Mexico that I was being nominated to receive the award, which is really an honor for me. It will be presented at a ceremony in Mexico City on November 15.
CBI: Are there any other factors that may have contributed to your nomination?
AM: I would like to mention that my life as a businessman may also have led to my being considered for this award. In
ihrsa.org
addition, my corporate team, headed by our CEO, Carlos Gomez Andonaegui, deserves major recognition. Also important is the fact that I was
invited to join the board of directors of the U.S./Mexico Foundation. This organization and its mission are praise- worthy—it demonstrates a dedication to philanthropy, and a strong connection among like-minded individuals in our neighboring countries.
CBI: What has been the final outcome of the case involving your son? Have all of those responsible been arrested, tried, and/or imprisoned?
AM: More than 15 delinquents involved in my son’s case are already incarcerated. However, two or three are still walking the streets. Unfortunately, I cannot say that the authorities did their jobs com- pletely. I, myself, am still investigating the case. I am trying to be the voice of the victims of crime.
CBI: Given the rise in crime in Mexico, have you increased security in your clubs over the past few years?
AM: Yes, we’ve made significant investments in technology—cameras, fingerprint-recognition systems, and other devices—to make our clubs as secure as possible, and our members, as safe as possible.
CBI: Respectfully, how has the loss of your son altered your life and career, overall? What helped you to get through this? How did you find the strength?
AM: I am living an unexpected life; the course it has taken was one that I never planned. As a businessman, I always imagined that, in my elderly years, I would live a happy and peaceful life with my youngest sons, Fernando and Alejandro, my oldest child, Jimena, and my lovely wife, Matilde, surrounded by a bunch of grand- children. I envisioned having plenty of time for them.
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