Andrea Gonzmart Williams began her career at the Columbia Restaurant at the age of ten, by filing in the corporate office. By the time she was twelve, she was working as a hostess at the Ybor City Restaurant and continued working there through high school.
She joined the family business full-time, after graduating from the University of South Florida with a degree in business management in 2001. Upon graduation, she worked at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City for six weeks of hands-on culinary training in the kitchen; she was the first female to ever work in the Ybor City kitchen.
Following her time in Ybor, Gonzmart Williams worked as a manager at the Columbia Restaurant, in St. Petersburg, Sand Key and Celebration.
She currently works at the corporate office in Ybor City and is actively involved in the operations of all the 1905 Family of restaurants concepts (formerly known as Gonzmart Family of restaurants), which include all five Columbia Restaurant locations, the Columbia Café, Ulele, Goody Goody and Casa Santo Stefano. She is also the Director of Operations for Cha Cha Coconuts, a tropical bar and grill located in Sarasota, Florida.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT?
During COVID our company established the Employee Relief Fund, with my cousin Casey and I championing and running it. 100% of our gift card sales during our closure funded this great program, totaling almost $85,000. We read hundreds of letters and were able to assist our employees who were in need. After our restaurants reopened, I knew this was something that our company should continue because, even outside of the pandemic, there is always someone who needs help. As a result, I petitioned our Board of Directors to have our company fund this program annually, so we could continue to give financial relief. It passed unanimously and today; I proudly continue to manage this program.
