Leonel Marines is an experienced leader known for his public service and community impact. As the executive director of Epilepsy Services of Southwest Florida, Leonel Marines oversees organizational strategy, fundraising, and daily operations while ensuring compliance with state regulations. His work includes donor engagement, supervising grant writing, and delivering performance updates to the board. He truly enjoys contributing to his community by serving individuals and families affected by epilepsy.
Before working at Epilepsy Services of Southwest Florida, Leonel Marines was a plumber’s helper with Kings Certified Plumbing for three years, and before that, he worked in law enforcement with the City of Bradenton Police Department. He was in law enforcement for over 12 years. Starting as a patrol officer, he rose through the ranks to detective and patrol sergeant. His tasks as patrol sergeant included handling complex investigations, supervising officers, and providing guidance on critical incidents. This experience shaped his strengths in leadership, team management, conflict resolution, and crisis management.
In addition to his professional roles, Leonel Marines has contributed as a substitute teacher at Hillsborough County. He volunteers as an ESL instructor at Project Light and a scholarship reviewer for the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Leonel Marines earned his JD from Western Michigan University and holds bachelor’s degrees in criminology and political science from Florida State University.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
A typical day for me starts with going to work, where I focus on my responsibilities as executive director and work to support the programs and services that help individuals living with epilepsy in our community. After the workday, I often spend time volunteering as an English as Second Language teacher at Project Light, which is something I truly enjoy because it allows me to help adult learners build confidence and improve their communication skills. When I get home, I usually take some time to relax by watching the news and catching up on current events. I like to end my day by going to the gym for a workout, which helps me stay healthy, clear my mind, and recharge for the next day.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bring ideas to life by focusing on collaboration, planning, and persistence. When I have a new idea, I start by clearly identifying the goal and the impact it could have. From there, I work with others to gather feedback, refine the concept, and develop practical steps to turn the idea into reality. I believe in staying organized, setting achievable milestones, and being open to learning along the way. Most importantly, I stay committed to following through, even when challenges arise. By combining thoughtful planning with teamwork and determination, I’m able to move ideas from concept to meaningful action.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that excites me is becoming more engaged in understanding the economy and financial markets. I recently opened an IRA, which sparked my interest in learning more about how the stock market works and how long-term investing can help people build financial security. I enjoy following market trends, reading about economic developments, and gaining a better understanding of how financial decisions today can shape the future. It’s been rewarding to learn more about investing and personal finance, and it motivates me to continue expanding my knowledge in this area.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit that helps me stay productive is maintaining a consistent routine and staying organized throughout the day. I make it a priority to plan my tasks, focus on the most important responsibilities first, and manage my time carefully so I can balance my professional work, volunteer commitments, and personal responsibilities. Having a structured routine helps me stay focused, reduce distractions, and make steady progress on my goals each day.
What advice would you give your younger self?
If I could give advice to my younger self, I would emphasize the importance of valuing family and maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life. Professional goals and accomplishments are important, but the time spent supporting and being present for family is truly what matters most in the long run. I would remind my younger self to take care of loved ones, nurture those relationships, and not let the demands of work overshadow the moments that build strong family connections. Finding a balance between career and family life leads to a more meaningful and fulfilling path.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
One belief I have that not everyone agrees with is that the saying “more money, more problems” isn’t necessarily true. I tend to believe that many of our problems are relative to the level of resources we have. While financial success can bring new responsibilities, having greater financial stability can also reduce many everyday stresses and provide more opportunities to help others and support your family. In my view, money itself isn’t the problem—it’s how we manage it and the perspective we have about it that truly shapes our experience.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
One habit I consistently practice and highly recommend to others is keeping a detailed record of my finances. Each day, I write down how much I spend, how much income comes in, and track it against my budget. This daily habit helps me stay aware of my financial decisions, avoid unnecessary expenses, and plan effectively for both short-term needs and long-term goals. By reviewing and balancing my daily, weekly, and monthly budget, I maintain control over my finances, reduce stress, and ensure that my money is working toward the priorities that matter most. This simple practice has been transformative in building financial discipline and security.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I find it most effective to slow down and take a step back to triage my tasks. I assess what needs to be done and prioritize by starting with the easiest or most manageable items first. Completing these smaller tasks helps me build momentum and regain a sense of control, which makes tackling the larger or more complex tasks feel more achievable. This approach allows me to stay organized, reduce stress, and maintain productivity even on busy or challenging days.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that has helped me advance in my career is a commitment to hard work and consistently putting in the effort to outwork expectations. I focus on being thorough, proactive, and persistent in everything I do, whether it’s supporting clients, managing programs, or volunteering in the community. By dedicating myself fully and staying willing to go the extra mile, I’ve been able to build trust, demonstrate reliability, and create opportunities for growth and leadership. I’ve found that showing up with energy and determination not only helps me achieve my goals but also inspires those around me to strive for excellence.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
One business idea I’d be excited to share is a service that helps small businesses develop and implement effective procedures. The concept would involve working closely with small business owners to learn how their operations function and then creating clear, practical procedures to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and support long-term growth. Many small businesses struggle with consistency and organization, and having someone come in to guide them in establishing structured workflows could make a significant difference in their success. This approach combines hands-on operational support with strategic planning, helping businesses operate more smoothly and confidently.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
One piece of software that helps me stay productive is a task-management and calendar tool. I use it to organize my daily responsibilities, schedule meetings, and set reminders for important deadlines. By keeping everything in one place, I can prioritize tasks, track progress, and ensure that nothing falls through the cracks. It helps me stay focused, manage my time effectively, and maintain a balance between work, volunteering, and personal commitments.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
The best $100 I recently spent was helping my parents by paying their water bill. It may seem simple, but it felt meaningful to support them and ensure their needs were taken care of. Small gestures like this can make a real difference in the lives of loved ones, and it reminded me of the importance of family and being present to help when I can. For me, the value of that $100 wasn’t in the amount itself, but in the peace of mind and gratitude it brought to my parents.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One of my favorite podcasts is “The Pat McAfee Show.” I enjoy it not only because of my love for sports, but also because of Pat McAfee’s authentic personality and sense of kindness. The show blends humor, insightful commentary, and real-life stories in a way that is both entertaining and inspiring. Listening to it has given me a lot of value in terms of perspective, motivation, and learning how to balance hard work with positivity and generosity toward others. It’s a podcast that keeps me engaged while also reminding me of the importance of character and connection.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
A movie I recently enjoyed is “Lincoln Lawyer” on Netflix. I was drawn in by the clever storytelling, strong performances, and the way the main character navigates complex legal challenges with intelligence and determination. The plot kept me engaged from start to finish, and I appreciated how it balanced suspense, strategy, and character development, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Key learnings
- Learning from past mistakes reinforces the importance of integrity, presence, and valuing relationships with family and colleagues.
- Consistently prioritizing hard work and dedication can help build trust, credibility, and opportunities for career growth.
- Volunteering and giving back to the community can create meaningful connections and have a positive impact on others’ lives.