Page 11 - NSA GALA JOURNAL 2016

MEMBER
OF THE YEAR
TEOFILO DE JESUS
2017 NSA Member of the Year
Teofilo De Jesus in actuality, is a distinguished entrepreneur in New York City, Specifically of supermarkets. Being proprietary owner of six supermarkets and co-owner of a seventh. Born In Ramonal, a province of San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic. Son of Antonio De Jesus and Francisca Cardenas.
“Teo” as his close friends and family call him, had a very short child hood, forced to assume the role of “the man of the house” at the short age of nine years old after the death of his father. This forced him to assume a tenacious character of responsibility and hard work. With the hopes of helping his mother and nine brothers and sisters, he made the decision of migrating to the United States in 1979.
After many hardships coming to a Country where he had no family, he found his first job as a packer and distributor of promotional flyers in a Fine Fare Supermarket in Brooklyn NY. For some time after that he worked as a stock boy in various locations. In 1985, he had the opportunity of working with the Peña family as an assistant manager then manager for multiple supermarket locations where he learned and acquired the experience necessary to manage a supermarket.
At this time with the desire of progress in mind, surpassing and tasting the sourness of failure he was more determined than ever to stay focused on his goals: to obtain the opportunity to provide a better life for himself, his family and the community. As a result of hard work, perseverance and the trust confided in him by people such as Harry Laufer may he rest in peace and Ira Gober, he opened his first supermarket with a business partner Dario Hernandez. This marked his first milestone to success.
In 1987 he contracted nuptials with Fior D’aliza Suarez with whom he had three children Danaley, Argenis and NallelyDe Jesus respectively. His wife and children play significant roles in his business today.
Teofilo De Jesus is a very humbled man, which is reflected when he states that his greatest achievement have been his 29 years of marriage, having helped his children become professionals and men and women productive to society. Also, having the opportunity of helping his mother and nine siblings who also play a great part of the administration of his supermarket. Without leaving to mention the satisfaction of being fruitful to the community employing over 300 people whose income are derived from supermarkets which he owns.
Teofilo believes in the NSA, being a member for over twenty years he has noticed the growth and influence this organization holds in the industry and is honored to have received such a prestigeous award such as the Eligio Peña member of the year award.