"What is worthwhile takes work and time. Never forget passion; it is the inner force that drives an individual to do things. You must love what you do, and do it with love." - Frank Rainieri.
SANTO DOMINGO- Vision, passion, work and perseverance have marked the path of tourism entrepreneur Frank Rainieri over the years, who calls on the current generation not to be dragged down by difficulties and pessimism.
“We had vision, passion and perseverance, magic words with which we assumed a commitment to the country, with a project that demanded a lot of work and pragmatism, determined to contribute a new format of professional training based on the reality of the labor market and social responsibility,” he explained when speaking to the graduates of the 50th anniversary class of the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (Intec).
The founder of the Puntacana Group urged young people not to be “dragged down by pessimism or crushed by the difficulties and obstacles” of the moment, because it is not the first time that our country and the international community have faced adverse situations.
He argued that looking to the past allows us to see that international “problems and threats” and “obstacles to the progress of countries like ours” are not new.
He recalled that when Intec was founded, the “international society was marked by the “cold war” and under the continuous threats of a nuclear confrontation, and the country was barely shaking off thirty years of dictatorship and the effects of the occupation by foreign armies in 1965.
"We were living in an environment of political instability, limited economic development, high levels of poverty, and weak institutions. It was an uninspiring environment, with little confidence in the future and little incentive to invest and develop projects. Many, marked by despair, emigrated," Rainieri recounted.
To support his point, he explained that Intec's founders did not succumb to pessimism or let difficulties and obstacles overwhelm them. They chose to look to the future with hope, confident that they could achieve a better society and a better country.
He said that what seemed like a dream back then is now, thanks to the determination, hard work, and passion of these men, a reality that provides our country with professionals who uphold the important legacy of its founders and their persevering and responsible work. "It has worked, and you are an example and proof that they were right.".
This university, he continued, “has forged new paths in our society, and many of us, like myself, aware of the service it provides to our country, are very proud to have been or to be part of its Board of Regents.”.
Rainieri recounted that “vision, passion, work and perseverance have marked” his path over the years, and explained that he began his professional life at the age of 21, like most of those who graduated at Saturday's ceremony, and stayed in the country when many left in search of other opportunities.
He told the audience that he started out participating in a company in the agricultural sector, but he understood that, although it was and is an important activity, he could not compete with large agricultural producers such as the United States, Argentina, Brazil and others.
He explained that he had the opportunity to meet a group of Americans who were interested in the country and acquired the property that would later become the foundation of what is now the Puntacana Group. He joined these investors, became a shareholder, and took on the role of leading the development of the company that transformed the region into the Caribbean's premier tourist destination.
To illustrate the importance of hard work and perseverance, Rainieri recalled that “20 years passed before the Puntacana project began to bear fruit, so he had to come up with other businesses to support his family. I know what it means to hold multiple jobs,” he emphasized.
“Nothing comes for free,” Rainieri warned the graduates. “What is worthwhile takes work and time. Never forget passion; it is the inner force that drives individuals to do things. You have to love what you do, and do it with love.” He concluded by reminding them that “the 21st century is marked by social and environmental responsibility.”.
