Tiger Heritage Spotlight:
Omar de Frias BS '02

Omar de Frias BS '02 was born in Puerto Rico and raised in the Dominican Republic, where he played professional basketball. He earned his bachelor's degree in marketing from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic and a bachelor's degree in business management from the Saunders College of Business at RIT. Omar then went on to earn an MBA from the University of Puerto Rico, which led him to NASA, where he is only one of the two people under the age of 30 to rise to the rank of a GS 15. In 2013, Omar left NASA to start Fratello Cigars, which was born for his love of cigars and the culture that surrounds them.

Why did you choose RIT?
While I was in college in the Dominican Republic representatives from RIT came to discuss graduate school opportunities. I did some research about Saunders and was impressed with the great reviews so I decided to apply.

What advice do have for current students who want to make the most out of their experience at RIT?
Donate your time. Get involved with a cause you believe in and volunteer because your most precious resource is your time. Give back–especially to your communities.

How did your education at RIT prepare you for what you are doing today?  
It gave me confidence. It was the pace and rigor that helped me with my “non-linear” career. I went from studying at a more leisurely pace with a semester program in the Dominican Republic to completing 20 plus credits per quarter for a whole year. I did not think I would be able to do that at that pace, but I did so successfully.

As a successful entrepreneur, what classes would you suggest for those who wish to start their own business?  
Accounting and Business Management.

What advice would have for your 18-year-old self?
What’s the rush bro?! Take your time. I had no need to graduate so fast, I could have taken my time and could have taken other classes that were of interest instead of rushing to get into the work environment.

What significance does Hispanic Heritage Month Hold for you?
I love sharing what my community has to offer—our cuisine, our traditions, our beliefs, and our contributions! Hispanic Heritage Month highlights aspects of our community that will hopefully inspire people to extend their learning beyond September 15-October 15.

How did growing up in the Dominican Republic influence your career and/or business?
The Dominican Republic is a cigar country. It’s very common for people to smoke cigars and be exposed to the art of crafting a premium cigar. Growing up around that industry impacted me to the point that I wanted to share the story of our soil, our climate, and our people through the startup of Fratello Cigars. This is my way of sharing my culture with the world.

What would you like people to know about your heritage?
We have a history of accomplished leaders and hardworking people. Get to know the story behind these success stories and you will learn so much about the influence their community had behind their successes.

How do you keep your heritage alive in your family?
My children are fully bilingual. They are proud that knowing another language makes them different and gives them more of an edge in life. My goal in life is to also have them be bi-cultural where it stops being about the language and it starts being about their food, slang, and motivations.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
When I was able to walk away from NASA to focus full time on Fratello.

What are some fun facts about yourself?
You would not expect it from me, but when I get on the dance floor it’s over! Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata are some of my passions.

What is your favorite type of entertainment?
Discovering new destinations with my daughter and son. I enjoy being the one introducing them to new cultures and knowing each city by their cuisine and music.

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