When David Gazzo, chief executive officer of New Berlin-based Felss Rotaform LLC, moved to the United States 13 years ago, he used his love of soccer as a launching pad to meet friends and find his place in the community.
One casual game along the lakefront among a group of passionate players was all he needed to begin building his Milwaukee social circle.
“Soccer was the connection…the way I got connected to a lot of people here,” Gazzo said.
Gazzo, who grew up in Cádiz, Spain, has played the sport since age eight, having learned the mechanics of the game from practices on the streets and beaches with older kids.
“That was the only thing to play,” Gazzo said. “There was no choice. It was just soccer.”
He played in organized soccer leagues until age 18 and in college converted to playing more recreationally, which he continues today.
Gazzo’s time on the field is now split among three Milwaukee-area teams, including one composed of Felss Rotaform employees that has helped them with team building in the workplace as much as it has on the field, he said.
