Although he was born in Madrid 54 years ago, David Alonso’s face lights up when he talks about Palacios de la Sierra, in Burgos, where his family comes from and where he shares his best moments. He is the director of mobility business for Spain and Portugal at Samsung, a company he has worked for since 2009 and where he has held various positions of responsibility.
Ask. Is origin important?
Answer. A lot. In the end you learn from your family, from your parents. All those experiences are what influence you in life. They are what stay with you.
P. Where does your interest in technology come from?
R. I am a telecommunications engineer by vocation. I work in the technology sector, although I am not a practicing engineer, but my training helps me understand everything that is behind it and why things happen. All this helps me in my day-to-day life.
P. Do you turn off electronic devices easily?
R. It’s difficult because we are surrounded by so many things, but it is necessary to find moments of mental peace, to stop and think, away from technology. I find that when I go to Palacios de la Sierra, one of the most beautiful mountains in Spain. There the pace is different from that of Madrid and Samsung. It helps me a lot.
P. Do you have time for hobbies?
R. I like a lot of things and I like to try everything. I love reading, cinema and theatre. I am passionate about music. I am a rocker more than anything else. Although it varies in phases. There was a time when I really liked The Clash, The Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin. I listen to music every day, as soon as I get up, when I take my son to school, when I come to work…
P. How many electronic devices do you use?
R. I only carry a phone, I have everything there. And I even use it when I go running because I can control certain vital signs. I never wear a watch.
P. Do you know what it’s like to go for hours without looking at your phone?
R. It’s hard for me, but I try. There are days when I suggest to my son that we spend a day or a morning without looking at the phone. And you feel good when you turn off the phone and don’t receive notifications. There are thousands of things that can be done.
P. Give us some clues to disconnect.
R. Play a game of chess. I play with my son. Go for a walk, it’s very relaxing. Watch a movie or series.
P. Any favorites?
R. I loved it Star Wars: The Acolytefrom Disney. And a movie that I also liked is Dune 2. I had already read it Dune.
P. What do you like to read?
R. I really like historical novels or fictionalized history. The last book I read is by Eduardo Mendoza, Three puzzles for the organizationone of my favorite writers. I also read popular works, such as Genes. Writing the script of lifeby Adrian Villalba.
P. How is it reported?
R. In digital media and social networks, although you have to be attentive to the fake newsI don’t watch television. I only turn on the radio to get information and to listen to music, because I like to be surprised. I’m not one for Spotify lists.
P. What is the latest surprise you have been given?
RMy son has just finished high school and he received a special mention at graduation. I hadn’t said anything and I was very emotional. In the end, what makes you emotional is what’s tangible.
P. Do you like getting lost or are you one of those people who constantly checks Google Maps?
R. I like getting lost and discovering corners of cities, especially those with history. Spain is the richest country in the world in terms of history. Cuenca and Zamora, for example, are two beautiful and interesting cities.
P. Have you had a hard time adapting to Korean culture?
R. I’ve been at Samsung for 15 years and I’m going back in time. It’s a different culture than ours, but if I’ve learned anything, it’s that the important thing is the group. It’s not driven by individualism, and that’s something that’s jarring here. We think about ourselves, not about the collective “we.”
P. Do engineers know how to work in a team?
R. People tend to work on projects and that requires group collaboration, something that not everyone knows how to do. The best thing is being able to manage a different team, in which each person contributes something different. That, and getting the best out of each person, is very enriching.
P. How many hours do you dedicate to your company?
R. Many. Too many. I don’t work from home. I come to the office every day. And I know that I should do more sport than I do, because it’s something that’s very good for me mentally. I usually go running with my music. I also like cycling and team sports, football, paddle tennis, basketball. Doing sport and generating endorphins is good for mental health.
P. Travels a lot?
R. I do it for work and frequently around Spain and Europe, and twice a year I go to Korea.
P. Korean food is served at Samsung’s canteen.
R. Yes, I eat here often and I like Korean cuisine. I love gastronomy and discovering new things. It is one of the great pleasures of life.
P. Any relevant discoveries?
R. I try to innovate and learn about the gastronomy of other countries and cultures. I have tried Armenian and Georgian cuisine, which are good. But Burgos cuisine is also very good. What I don’t do is cook, I only prepare survival food, grilled or mashed. I learn when I am in the village with my brothers. What I also enjoy is wine. I am lucky that my cousin, Cristina Alonso, has a winery, Territorio Luthier, in Aranda de Duero, and makes some great wines. In summer they organize wonderful evenings, where music and oenology come together. And it is the best plan that can exist.
P. Any pending trips?
R. I would love to go to Alaska and go on a safari in Africa.
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