MARIOLA VARONA

 

...CONTINUED FROM WHAT'S HAPPENING

 

In keeping with the Galician maritime spirit of exploration and adventure, Mariola was interested in traveling the world at a young age. She became intrigued with language when she was six after her father spent 2 years as a translator with U.S. Navy in Norfolk, Virginia. She moved to Dublin when she was 18 to follow her passion for learning about language and other cultures.

 

After spending a year in Dublin improving her English, Mariola decided to pursue language studies full-time. In 1992, she applied for spot in the very competitive Translator & Interpreter program at the University of Vigo in Galicia. There were over 500 applicants that year for only 80 positions; her grasp of the English language she attained while in Ireland was pivotal in her selection as the 22nd student admitted. At University, Mariola excelled in English and Russian, picking up Portuguese and German along the way; she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in 1997. Mariola has used her language skills in many capacities including as an English teacher for children, an interpreter for the International Congress for Handicap people, and as International Communication Assistant for Carlos Núñez, a famous Celtic-Galician musician.

 

Mariola’s interest in international commerce was a natural outgrowth of her language studies and desires to travel the world. Her first experience in export markets came while working for a textile company in Vigo that had business in over 80 countries. After three years, she moved on to the challenging position of Export Manger for a global firm in the granite business. As a woman in a typically male dominated industry in Spain, this experience challenged Mariola’s management capabilities as well as expanded her understanding of global markets. She enjoyed great success in this position and her interest in international commerce multiplied. As a result of this experience and her focus on global trade, Mariola enrolled in a Master’s program for International Management of Commerce.

 

Mariola came to Martín Códax in 2002 as Export Manager capitalizing on her success in managing the export business at the granite company. Her love for her native Galicia and her deep understanding of the Galician people and culture has made her a passionate advocate for Martín Códax wines. As evidence of this commitment and utilizing her background in foreign languages, Mariola has taken on the dual responsibility of International Spokesperson for Bodegas Martín Códax. In this role, she has spent considerable time traveling around world promoting Martín Códax and her native Spain.