by Joe LaMuraglia, www.gaywheels.com
Name: Anthony Prozzi
Place of birth: Brooklyn , N.Y .
Age: 44
Year, make and model of your first car/truck: 1976 Pontiac Firebird
Occupation: Senior designer
Employer: Ford Motor Company
What did you think you wanted to be when you grew up? I was a bookworm growing up, straight-A student and always an overachiever, as a product of Italian immigrant parents. They wanted to see me be a doctor, and I went as far as pre-med at NYU—but I'm happy fate intervened and became a designer.
How long have you worked in the auto industry? Twelve years that seem to have gone by in a blink
What do you drive now? A shiny black Ford Edge
Are you out at work? Those who are hip enough to be in the know are aware of my preferences; I'm so busy it's a non-issue.
Was being gay ever an issue at any of your jobs? I'm very lucky that it never was. I always believe your work speaks for itself and private matters are just that—private.
If you had one piece of advice to give to a gay person wanting to work in the auto industry, what would it be? Be yourself. Work hard and let your work be the criteria by which you succeed—and, of course, have fun along the way.
OK, here is the fun part: If you had $25,000 and had to buy a new car, what would it be and why? The new Ford Verve—in black, of course.
Same question but bigger budget—$50,000: Tough one. I'd buy the car I designed the interior of: the Ford Flex, but seriously trick it out—black on black with some shine. [ It would be ] very Dior Homme.
If money was no object and you had to drive it every day: I like a lot of space—so same answer as above, but with a fuel cell.
What is your favorite car of all time and why? Killer. There are way too many—my grandfather had an Alfa Giulietta, so its high on the list—along with any other Italian cars from the '60s.
If your car/truck could talk, what would it say about you? Hey, you're getting checked out by that fox at the light.
Finally, why do you want to be featured on Gaywheels.com? I live my life with my heart on my sleeve—I'm a great role model—I speak my mind and my work is always top-notch.