Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about Hot August Nights and the duties of your position.
Tony Marini: Hot August Nights, a non-profit organization, is the premiere classic car event in the world, annually drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators and participants to northern Nevada to revel in nostalgia, enjoy top entertainers from the 50s and 60s and participate in a variety of events including Show-n-Shines, controlled cruises and more. I have the privilege of overseeing the event, reporting to a 13-member board, and working with my team of three staff members and 500-plus volunteers to make this the best car show there is.
NNBW: How did you get into this profession?
Marini: I heard about an opening, applied and was successful.
NNBW: What's the most important thing you have learned in your career?
Marini: Treat everyone as you would like to be treated.
NNBW: Hot August Nights is Reno's biggest special event. What strategies are in place to make sure it remains so?
Marini: Appreciate the ones who appreciate you and making sure to support each individual component so that they are successful.
NNBW: What's your favorite classic car? Are you a muscle car guy, or do you like the oldies?
Marini: Oldies for sure! My absolute favorite is a 1957 Bel-Air Convertible.
NNBW: What was your first job?
Marini: Bagging groceries at Scolari's.
NNBW: Tell us about your dream job. Why aren't you working it?
Marini: This is my dream job! I am excited to be apart of this organization.
NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?
Marini: Work hard and self-motivate.
NNBW: What's the most fun you have had on the job?
Marini: When I got to walk up and down Virginia Street saying thank you to the members for all their hard work.
NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Marini: Loyalty and honesty will get you far.
NNBW: What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes? How do you spend your time away from work?
Marini: Spending time with my four girls!
NNBW: If you could live your life over again, what one thing would you change?
Marini: I would have spend more time with my Dad. He has been gone 10 years.
NNBW: What has been your biggest professional accomplishment?
Marini: Being promoted to executive director.
NNBW: What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
Marini: A fireman like my Dad.
NNBW: What can you do that someone else can't?
Marini: Curl my tongue with my 6-year-old daughter, Gianna.
NNBW: If you had enough money to retire right now, would you? Why or why not?
Marini: No, because I couldn't keep myself busy.
NNBW: What's the last concert or sporting event you attended?
Marini: I went to the San Francisco 49ers game on January 14th with my wife, Jennifer.
NNBW: Where's your perfect vacation spot?
Marini: Somewhere hot!
NNBW: Why did you choose a career in northern Nevada? What do you like most about working and living here?
Marini: I was born and raised here, fourth generation.
The basics:
Name: Tony Marini, executive director of Hot August Nights
Number of years in this job? Going on two
Education: Graduated from Wooster High School, attended the University of Nevada, Reno
Last book read? "A Father's Guide to Raising Daughters" by Will Kenlaw
Favorite flick? "For Love of the Game"
What's on your iPod? Everything from country to the 80's but my favorite is "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield
Spouse, kids or pets? All three! My beautiful wife, Jennifer that has put up with me for 12 years, my spontaneous Talia 8, my girly girl, Gianna 6 and my courageous baby girl, Ella of 16 months. We also have two fierce Boston terriers, Rocco and Rosie, so watch out.
