Boston College was truly a new world for the young Felipe Mántica. The Nicaraguan native fell in love with the stately New England campus, so different from his home in Managua. The climate and landscape may have been unfamiliar, but the Jesuit educational experience was the bridge that helped him make a successful transition. Jesuit values remain a key element in Mántica’s life, permeating his family and business activities.

“BC is at the center of the most important things for me: faith, family, and education,” says Mántica, who numbers five Eagles among his eleven children.

As the general manager of Casa Mántica S.A., operator of the La Colonia supermarket chain founded by his father and uncle in 1956, Mántica has played a major role in the company’s growth.

Mántica is thrilled to see his children following him to Chestnut Hill. “My family has been greatly blessed by the outstanding Jesuit education that BC offers,” he says. “Felipe ’11 and Miguel ’12 graduated from the Carroll School of Management and have joined me in the family business, Lucia is graduating this year from the College of Arts and Sciences, Francisco is a junior, and Maria Eugenia is a freshman. Only six more to go!”

What has been the most satisfying moment in your professional life?

In 1991, after 12 years of war, confiscation of property, and the Sandinista Revolution, we opened the Plaza España supermarket, beginning the development of a chain of 18 supermarkets across Nicaragua.

In your personal life?

It is incredible to see my children growing into such talented, hard-working young adults. It is especially gratifying to have my sons working with me.

What is your next goal?

We continue to expand the company. I’m very happy that our business can contribute to Nicaragua’s growing economy.

What is the secret to success?

Just keep going and don’t give up; be flexible when you need to be, but keep pursuing your goal.

Why did you decide to attend BC?

I always wanted to go to university in America, and I wanted to continue pursuing a Jesuit education.

What is one thing everyone should do while at BC?

Enjoy all the classic college activities that make BC so special—tailgating and Middlemarch and that sort of thing—but also, take advantage of all the opportunities for service.

What was your first job?

Well, I always worked with my father, but my first company distributed IBM computers in Nicaragua.

How do you relax?

I love to go sail fishing on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua.

How have you changed since graduation?

I’m 34 years older, the father of eleven, and responsible for 1,200 employees—but I’m still pretty much the same person I was at BC.

Where is your favorite spot on the Heights?

I love the whole campus. I especially enjoy that beautiful walk down Linden Lane in front of Bapst Library and St. Mary’s Hall.

How much can you sing of the BC fight song?

Oh boy, not much now!

What do you look forward to each day?

With an expanding business and a big family, every day is different and every day holds new challenges, but it’s always interesting to see how it unfolds and to move forward.