Rene Martinez, Jr is a fourth-generation Floridian who was born and raised in Tampa and is the oldest of 3 boys. Rene’s family was involved in the cigar business. His grandfather was a partner with Villazon Cigar Co. and Rene’s father was the general manager.
Rene attended the University of Tampa on a baseball scholarship. His father, Rene Martinez, Sr., quietly involved himself in the University of Tampa Baseball Program in 1982, and after his sudden passing January 1990, the Rene Martinez, Sr. Golf Tournament was started. The Golf Tournament is the longest running fundraising tournament in the State of Florida, just completing its 32nd year. Proceeds from the golf event go to the Rene Martinez Memorial Baseball Scholarship Fund.
After graduating from the University of Tampa in 1988, Rene started his banking career. Rene joined Republic Bank in August 2017 where he works as their SVP Senior Business Banking Officer. Rene served on Republic Bank’s CEO Advisory Council and currently is a committee member of the Caregivers Business Resource Group (BRG) and a mentor in our Building Bridges program. He also actively engages in the community. He supports Autism Speaks and other autism-related non-profit organizations. He is involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs-Tampa Bay and is a founding Board Member of Trinity School for Children (a charter school).
In his spare time, Rene enjoys spending time with family and being in outdoors. His favorite activities include golfing, boating, paddle boarding and fishing.
