Scott Vallow: Goalie / Captain of Rochester Rhinos

Scott Vallow:

Train Like a Champion

By: Joseph W. Norman

For more from Bigger Impact co-founder, Joseph Norman, visit www.normanized.com. 

Enjoy the read about...Scott Vallow...below! Thanks for your readership!

Scott Vallow is captain and goalkeeper of the Rochester Raging Rhinos, a United Soccer League First Division team. After graduating from Bowling Green in 1998, he signed a professional contract to play with Major League Soccer’s Dallas Burn. From that point on he has lived the professional athlete’s life, moving from place to place, before making Rochester, New York his home. He has led the Rhinos to a few championships, his first when he joined the team in 2000. That same year he was named A-League Goalkeeper of the Year and A-League First Team All Star. Now, in his ninth year, after a few more team and individual accolades, he continues to make an impact both on and off the field.

Over a delicious lunch at one of his, and the teams, favorite places, First Taste on Park Avenue in Rochester, he had a few things to say about his life’s work…

The most recent season has brought on some hardship for Scott in respect to his soccer play. In practice after the second game of the year he suffered a bicep injury which left him debilitated.

VIP: You suffered a bicep injury recently correct?

Scott: I made a save in practice and hyper-extended my arm at the elbow which put too much pressure on the tendon. They drilled a hole in my forearm and attached the tendon on the backside of the hole with a titanium button. We are waiting for the bone to calcify a little more so it can sustain more pressure. The doctor is afraid of the full extension save with a ball coming 70 plus miles per hour which would snap it right back off. We’re shooting for August 1 as a come back date.

The frustrating part is if I was a field player they could brace me up and I could play, but since I’m a goalie they certainly can’t have a one armed goalie out there. It is not acceptable.

The team is doing alright though and I can still practice everyday.

Rex the Rhino

VIP: How long is the professional soccer season?

Scott: Preseason starts in the middle of March and the season lasts until the Championship in late September. It’s a good six month season. The hope is if I can get back August 1, there are seven regular season games left plus the playoffs.

VIP: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Scott: I was born in Medesto, California. We spent about ten years there. My father has worked for Coors Brewing Company for about 25 years so we traveled a lot - we just kind of moved around the country. He is pretty successful at what he does, so they have always put him in key markets. We lived in Colorado for a few years then went to Minnesota, and then to Naperville, Illinois which is where I did most of my growing up. That was where I did all of my junior high and high school. I went to school at Bowling Green, Ohio for four years. At that point, the age of 21, I signed a contract with the Dallas Burn for Major League Soccer.

At that time if you had school left, you could play for a program that was called, the Nike Project 40, it is now called Generation Adidas. Guys that have no eligibility left in school but need their degree can sign on as professional athletes. As soon as you sign a professional contract, you are immediately ineligible for college play. For me, I just had one class left, but I still qualified. It is made for those young studs like Freddy Adu.

VIP: What was the Nike Project 40 Program like?

Scott: By default, being a part of that program you get to train with your major league team during the week and travel around and play Project 40 games on the weekend. They play in the A league on the weekends. Each MLS team would have two or three Project 40 players. The thought process is you can train at a high level and still get the competition on the weekends to make you a better player.

I wasn’t happy being third string goalie in Dallas, so I asked to be released from the program to sign a contract with Rochester. I signed a one year contract in 2000, we won a championship and I became goalkeeper of the year. I came in here and really tried to prove something, because I wanted to go back into MLS. But, nobody wanted to give me a number one job.

VIP: How does Major League Soccer work?

Scott: How the MLS works is the league owns all of the players, so you can’t go to Chicago and say, “What will you pay me?” and then call up New York and say, “What will you pay me?” The negotiation is strictly with the league. They say, you are 24 years old, you’ve played this much, here is your salary. I could never get the number one money, so I signed back with Rochester. In 2002, I left and went back to Dallas, then in 2003, I got picked up by the Colorado Rapids – ending up back to Rochester in 2005.

Back up goalies in MLS are like an insurance policy. I was that guy, but I was making a good wage, so they didn’t see much value in having an expensive insurance policy. I was a bit of a salary cap casualty. So, I called Rochester back and just re-signed prior to this season for three more years.

VIP: Tell us a little bit about your family.

Scott: Rochester is my home now. I just turned thirty and I have a wife and a seventeen month old son. We have a house. Most people in this league don’t have a house because the club provides apartments, so most players just live in those. But, we decided that we wanted to live how we wanted to live for as long as we can – whether it is one year, ten years, or our whole life.

We didn’t want to live in an apartment and raise a kid - that was not what our life was all about. We can always put a for sale sign on the house. Not too many professional soccer players can say they have some place where they like to be and could be for the rest of their lives.

My wife and I have a very healthy relationship – we’re in a good spot right now. I’m very happy with how my life is progressing; personally, professionally, and with business. It is kind of all taking off.

VIP: When did you get married?

Scott: I got married in 2003. Is this a test? (Speaking into the recorder) “December 20, 2003, honey.”

VIP: Did you ever think about playing overseas?

Scott: For the most part you have to be on the U.S. National Team to even be considered. In fact, you have to be a substantial part of that team to even be considered. You can go on trial and play for a team for a week, then move on to another. I have always demanded a high wage, so it wasn’t a big deal for me to travel overseas. For some of the younger guys it might be a bigger deal.

My wife is a career woman; she has a full time job in pharmaceutical sales. For her to give that up to go to a foreign country was more of a family decision. Now, we have a seventeen month old son, so it just doesn’t make sense. For the last three and a half years we have been in baby phase – so we made the decision to stay in the states.

Many U.S. players go to Norway now because there are few restrictions over there. For the older guys it is more of a process. Goalies mature at an older age, so it doesn’t work out quite as well. As much as I would love to play in England, I’m not even eligible so even though they asked about me, it would just be too difficult to make happen.

VIP: What are some of your goals?

Scott: My original goal was to play for ten years – I am currently in my ninth. But, like I said, goalies don’t really mature until later in their soccer careers. It is a position based on experience; the more you have been in a specific situation, the more you recognize it and know it for next time. The more games you play the better you get. There is certainly a learning curve, a plateau and a decline. I still feel like I’m on the way up. I still feel like I’m learning and goalies certainly play well into their mid to late thirties. So, I’d like to put another six to eight years in.

I have a degree in sales and marketing. Now, I’ve been doing this soccer camp stuff. I started to do this when I was in Colorado playing for the Rapids. A guy called me up that had a son who played goalie, he said, “I’d like you to train my son.” So, I started to meet with this boy and a few friends of his every week to train them. It was good money. I thought it was going to be kind of like babysitting. The drop your kid off for an hour and go get a cup of coffee type of stuff to get a break. But, to actually tell the kids direction, have them do it, and then find success doing it is an unbelievable experience.

So, I started my goalkeeper training program, “Train like a Champion.”

VIP: Tell us a little bit about “Train like a Champion” with Scott Vallow?

Scott: Basically it is a camp structure; we do clinics, camps, and academies. I have a relationship with the Greece Soccer program. We do two six week camps.

I teamed up with my teammate Matthew Delicate and we do a goalkeeper/striker camp. We cap it at 15 kids because we pride ourselves on getting the individual attention. We don’t hire staff to help run the program, we do it all ourselves. We have ten programs; 4 in Rochester, 3 in Buffalo, and we just signed a contract for a camp at a Syracuse facility. We nearly sold out in both Syracuse and Buffalo, so we are looking to expand. Right now, it is a really good program – we keep it small and intimate. Ours is the complete opposite of Doug Miller’s camp whose motto has always been get as many kids as possible.

Matt Delicate

We want “Train like a Champion” with Scott Vallow to be training like a champion with Scott Vallow. We do different colored shirts for our different camps. We also give the drawstring shoe bags – we try to add value to the program without spending a lot of money. Matthew has his own sponsorship deal and so do I. We appreciate all of our local sponsors as well - they all really help us out. (One of Scott’s sponsors is Chris McVicker, VIP and Chairman of The Flanders Group). Who knows how far it can go?

I never thought I would like it, but I really enjoy it and there is certainly a market for it. Parents will pay a premium to have their kids play with a professional athlete. We need to make sure the kids in youth soccer are training the right way. That is what I might do – I’m not sure if my wife agrees with me – but I like it.

NOTABLE: To view the “Train like a Champion” website, click here!

VIP: Do you enjoy traveling?

Scott: We enjoy traveling in the off season – a family vacation and one with just my wife and me. We have tons of friends out in Ohio, so we might drop our son off with my parents in law in Pittsburgh and then travel on to visit some friends for a weekend here and there.

VIP: Who is someone you admired in soccer while you were a child?

Scott: I’ve always liked the U.S. National Team program: Tony Meola was one of my idols. He was the captain of the U.S. World Cup team when I was growing up. I played against him when he played for Kansas City, then we chatted after the game and we swapped jerseys – so that was pretty cool. I have it framed at my house.

VIP: You have a degree in Sales and Marketing from Bowling Green, what are your thoughts on sales?

Scott: I’m a big relationship seller. That is the way of doing business now. My dad, as I told you, has spent 25 years at Coors. He is in charge of eight distributors in all of Indiana right now. He has such a good relationship with his clients, so growing up and watching the way he sells was awesome. It’s crazy – the way he does it is different from all of the new techniques. He develops relationships with distributors so they can work together and collectively meet goals. It is a good philosophy.

VIP: What are your thoughts on training?

Scott: My philosophy on training has always been go one hundred percent for as long as you can. As goalkeeper we do everything in sets and repetitions. For me, it doesn’t do me any good to collect eight balls if I start to get tired after six. You don’t want to start promoting bad technique as you start to get tired. Certainly it is important to work through that fatigue factor, but you want to make sure that you work as hard and effective as you can.

For example, we will do a sequence of something and then do it again, and again, and again. I think it is better to do four or six of those things, rather than ten. Do what you can at 100% for as long as you can. That is what I always tell the guys on the team since I’ve been captain. I say, “There is no reason to save gas in the tank. If it is only 60 minutes, that is fine because we can find someone else to fill in. Then next time maybe you’ll go 65 minutes.” Go as hard as you can, as long as you can, and then we’ll make changes if we need to. I always train how I play - no shortcuts. Work as hard as you can in practice so the games become easy.

You want to work two or three or ten times as hard, so when you get in the game it is cake – no big deal; short and sharp as opposed to long and drawn out. I am more of a proponent to that. I have a set agenda, hour and a quarter – we get in and out. It keeps you focused.

VIP: What are your thoughts on weight training?

Scott: Mostly in the off-season - I follow a book called Body for Life by Bill Phillips. It is basically a lifestyle change of eating right – five small meals a day. It also incorporates training – a pyramid type lifting routine. Increase the weight and lower the reps; than go back down. You do a twenty minute treadmill workout – faster and faster, than slow it down. He says the best way to train is get the heart rate up and then take the heart rate back down – over and over.

Also, it says to eat zero raw sugar, tons of fruits and vegetables, high protein, medium to low carbohydrates. On Sunday though, you can eat whatever you want – pizza, Big Macs, beer, martinis, whatever. My wife calls it “Sunday Fun-Day.”

That’s what I do mostly in the off season. It helps me refocus and get back into it. Also, I take one complete month off after the season. I do a lot with core strength, speed, ply metrics, medicine ball workouts, and other things. I lift maybe once a week during the season.

VIP: How has it been managing the injury?

Scott: It has been tough – very tough. In nine years I have never missed one practice. So, all of the sudden to be out hurt is kind of a shock to everybody and more of a shock to me. I still go to practice everyday – I take the team through the warm-up, cool-down, and sit-ups. I’m still a part of the locker room presence. Also, it is good for the guys because I serve as a liaison between the players and the coach. They can come to me and I can tell them what coach might say. That is a big part of it. I warm up the goalies everyday – giving them as much advice as I can.

It is still a team sport, it’s not the Scott Vallow show. So, the ultimate goal is to try to win a championship. I try to help the team in anyway I can.

Also, I started to do a lot of community service. We have the program “Reading with the Rhinos” – so I’ll go read to kids and tailor my talk to what the district’s issues might be. The whole team does it, but I have taken on more of a role because of the injury. Also, I’m one of the higher profile guys, so it works out.

The injury has made me not take my body for granted. It has given me a new perspective on competition – knowing that any game could be your last. I sat down with the players right before the game after my injury and I said, “You never know when it could be your last game, so make sure you take advantage of this one game right now. You know you are going to play today, but you don’t know if you’re going to play tomorrow.”

VIP: When did you kick your first soccer ball?

Scott: I started when I was about six. I was never a goalie until I was about fourteen years old - I was a forward my whole life. Then it became a year round commitment and I decided on being goalie.

VIP: How do you define success?

Scott: In professional sports is certainly winning championships. At the end of the day, how many rings do you have? That connects people forever. Last year we made it to the Championship and we lost. It was devastating because that one moment could have defined the whole group. Certainly guys have had great careers without a championship. Dan Marino – best quarterback to never win a championship. I’m sure he would trade a lot just for one ring.

In life it is about being happy, being comfortable, and being able to look yourself in the mirror before you go to bed and know that you did as much as you could for your personal life and professional life that day.

Every night I go to bed and I say, my son went to bed at 7:30 tonight, but you know what, I played with him until 7:29. If for some reason I have an individual lesson or I’m out and I don’t get much time with “my little guy” then it kills me. That is kind of how I live my life, almost on a daily basis. I like to be able to say, “Today was a good day.” Then, I give my wife a kiss and go to bed or maybe watch a little television.

VIP: What are some of the ways you help your teammates as Captain?

Scott: All the time we get guys to come in for one week. Sometimes those guys get signed and somebody gets benched. Players will come to me and ask, “What am I supposed to do?” I tell them, “All you can do is work as hard as you can everyday; do everything you can and everything you are supposed to do. Then when you go to bed at night you know that you did everything you can, so if the coach wants to choose somebody else, you can say ‘I’m ok with my personal performance.’” You have no one to blame but yourself if you start taking shortcuts.

My philosophy is whatever the coach says goes. Never talk bad about anybody – bite your tongue and take it for what it’s worth. Support the coach, the city, and your teammates.

VIP: What are some of your hobbies?

Scott: I love to cook and I love to go shopping. I’m a Wegmans-aholic. I probably go to Wegmans four times a week.

I mean for us (Rhinos), we work 10 AM – 12 PM, so we’ve got a lot of free time. We have from 12:30 to whenever to do what we want. I hate to read. I like to read magazines and newspapers, but I don’t like to read books. I’ll read the front and the back and then I’ll look for the Cliff’s Notes. My wife does all the reading.

My top two hobbies are playing cards and cooking. Also, I love hanging out with my family.

VIP: What are some of your favorite T.V. shows?

Scott: I like crime drama; the original CSI: Las Vegas, although I have branched into CSI: Miami - not as much a fan of CSI New York. I love Shark with James Woods.

I like that reality TV as well but not so much Flava of Love. Lately I have watched more of the Disney Channel though with the little guy.

VIP: What is some advice you would give someone coming out of college?

Scott: You’ve got to be tenacious. I talk to my guys all the time about the “Two T’s,” talent and tenacity. Sometimes talent isn’t good enough, so you’ve got to be tenacious. It is tough to have one without the other and achieve success. Dedication, determination, and desire are important too. In “Reading with the Rhinos,” we talk about having a healthy lifestyle, staying in school, being respectful and making quality decisions. It is pretty much the same speech no matter what age you are.

Think before you act with decision making. Forget to set your alarm before you go to sleep at night and you sleep in. It’s a small decision, but if you miss a meeting it could have a big impact on you.

Surround yourself with quality people. You don’t have to know everything as long as you surround yourself with people that know more than you. Then, a lot of times you’re better off.

Joe, Scott, and Ben at First Taste on Park Avenue

P.S. Fresh content at www.normanized.com. Check it out! <<<--- i="i">

Scott Vallow

Captain / Goalkeeper

Rochester Raging Rhinos (Website)

Train Like a Champion with Scott Vallow (Website)

Letter from the Editor

Life and Times of JWN

CHECK OUT MY SECOND VALUE ARTICLE BELOW!!! Learn how to "Make a POWERFUL Impression!" I picked up a Gillette Fusion Power this week and the experience was incredible. It was the smoothest shave, both in result and in performance, that I have ever had. Thus, for you gentlemen out there that have to shave on a regular basis, I highly recommend this fine piece of modern day machinery.  Also, in other hygiene news, thanks to my friend and Mary Kay star, Laura Nixon, I have become a big fan of the MK Men's shaving products. Laura sent me a nice care package the other week which included the MK Men's Shaving Creme and After Shave. To put it quite simply, it's great - most definitely pleased with it. Find your local Mary Kay woman or talk to me and I'll put you in contact with Laura. Either way, check it out! Notable: For your viewing pleasure - you may notice a striking resemblance between this week's picture and Tom Cruise in Top Gun. That, my friends, is my best Maverick impression with a little slice of Norman - "the finger wag," a signature dance move of mine. In other news, I got harassed by my oldest brother this week because I have been pretty cheap lately. At 69 Second Street, my home in Geneseo, I have been living without an Internet connection. Every Sunday I would travel onto campus to get wireless access from the school to put out the VIP Profiles. This week Jack, my brother and software engineer for L3 Communications, found out about my situation and said, "Joe, you run an Internet based business and you don't have Internet access. You're an idiot." Needless to say, this week's issue of the VIP Profiles is coming to you courtesy of a revived Internet connection in the comfort of my own home. Thank you Jack for your inspiration and wisdom. For more shameless self promotion...check me out! Click here to view pictures of me at this year's Utica Boilermaker 15k! Enjoy the week ahead my friends and talk to you soon. Did I mention my article, "Make a POWERFUL Impression?" CHECK IT OUT here first before you have to pay big money to see me deliver the message live!!! Always my best, ~ JWN

Make a POWERFUL Impression

Make a POWERFUL Impression

By: Joseph W. Norman

How do you make a great impression? With so much stress on the adage, “You don’t get a second chance at a first impression,” what is the proper procedure to not screw it up? There are many tips out there, but here are a few that have worked for me. You are in for a treat…

A good friend of mine, Chris McVicker, Chairman and CEO of The Flanders Group and Chairperson of the Business Advisory Council for the Jones School of Business at SUNY Geneseo, once gave me some advice about making an impression that has made a powerful impact on my life. He said, when you meet somebody they assess you with the three twelve’s;

• Twelve feet (your appearance, or “presence”),
• Twelve inches (your handshake, or “feel”), and,
• Twelve words (your composure and style).

NOTABLE: My interpretations are in parentheses. Also, these principles will help you answer “Yes!” to the next question…

When you go somewhere are you prepared to connect? To establish a positive appearance, take a little extra time in the morning to class yourself up. Work on the subtle things that put you above and beyond the rest. A few things that I have done to improve my “twelve feet effect” are add a few shirts with French Cuffs and some nice cuff links to my wardrobe.

I’m not saying you have to go out and pick up some cuff links (the less people that wear them, the better I look), but find something unique that you can add to your usual “classy” outfits to take them over the top. Also, don’t be afraid to take a little extra time in the morning on a casual day, because you never know who you might meet. KEY FACT: Class up in your own style! If you don’t believe in your efforts, they will be fruitless.

Next, there is nothing more important than a good handshake. Constantly, when I meet new people I make an immediate assessment of them by the strength and “confidence” in their handshake. Have you ever had the infamous “dead fish” handshake? Are you a culprit of this weak-wrist, credibility destroyer? If so, FIX IT!

Not much matters more to me than receiving a good firm handshake because it says you mean business. And, business is personal, so this fact pertains to all arenas – whether it is meeting a potential “love” interest, a new friend or teammate, or business associate. It matters! You don’t want a potential relationship to run astray because you dished out a “lame duck” handshake.

So, how do you make an impression with a handshake? The rule of thumb is firm enough to stand out, but not a bone crushing blow. When in doubt, err on the side of being firm rather than take a chance on becoming known as the “soft gripper.”

Also, do not shake with your finger tips - this is supposed to be a “hand” shake. Nothing is more awkward then a professional handshake gone awry because you didn’t dig in a little bit. Go right at the “zone” between the pointer finger and thumb of the potential friend with your own “zone.” Hit it, and hit it hard. Let them know you respect their interest in you by putting in a little effort. KEY FACT: Don’t be misguided by all the handshake tom foolery out there - always go for the “zone!”

EXTRA TOUCH: Impress like a politician (they’re not all bad, and are often quite charismatic). When you shake, add the other hand in a light two handed clasp, or touch the forearm or elbow of the “shakee.” I often go for the elbow - it adds warmth to the interaction. Why the elbow? People aren’t as protective of it and it’s more intimate. Again, develop your own style.

Now, how do you tackle the twelve words rule? DO YOUR HOMEWORK! I know these evil words have been thrown about academia forever, but they’re even more important for your personal lives. You must find out who you need to connect with in your industry. Once you have the name, do your homework – read their articles, research their interests and hobbies, find out where they’re going to be, and be there.

I frequent conferences and on campus events in an effort to build relationships with the attendees and speakers. You know who is going to speak because you have seen the flyer or brochure. Thanks to the internet, there is no reason you can’t dig up a little information. Do a “Google Audit,” as we call it at Notable and Newsworthy, and prepare some information on the person so you are ready to connect.

I will constantly take notes on people before and after I meet them so that, 1) I can build a personal relationship with them through “small talk,” 2) I can follow up with that personal information later – building an even stronger bond, and 3) I never lose track of anybody. NOTABLE: When Bill Clinton attended college at Georgetown, he started to fill out index cards on each person he met during the day. Today, he is known as one of the most charismatic leaders of our time because of his incredibly personal approach.

ACTION PLAN: Develop your own system for remembering personal facts about the people you meet. Then, take action and keep following up!

With the personal information at hand, you will not be “at a loss for words” when you finally meet this highly desired acquaintance. Also, you will not sound like a bumbling idiot – a fate often feared worse then death. Proper preparation leads to powerful performance.

With a little work each day on improving your “three twelve’s,” you can take your personal style of making an impression to a whole new level. Remember, “Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.” – Jim Rohn.

Check back for more information on topics such as, “Small Talk for a Big Effect,” “Commanding a Presence,” and “The Art of Personal Development.” - JWN

NOTABLE: Joseph Norman is co-founder of a weekly e-newsletter, Notable and Newsworthy: VIP Profiles, with his friend and business partner, Ben DeGeorge. Together they have built relationships with dynamic leaders in many organizations and industries. For more information, check out: notableandnewsworthy.blogspot.com, or, email Joseph at jwn2@geneseo.edu

Who Do You Know?

Who Do You Know?

By: Joseph W. Norman

Action Plan: Figure out what you want to do, make yourself known in that field, reach out to whom you befriend there because they hold the power.

My greatest resources are the people in my unique network of relationships. Developing this base of human capital has been a rigorous effort for much of my life.

Since early on I believed in the adage, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” I have used such a cliché over and over again in my (young) life to move organizations forward, get people jobs, and get myself employed (a few times). There is nothing wrong with that principle.

More often then not, people argue that knowledge or talent gets somebody where they want to be. I disagree – your friends and acquaintances get you where you want to be. But, this is only if you let them.

Case in point – this past summer I worked an internship in the Risk Management Group at Manning & Napier Investment Advisors in Fairport, New York. As an English major one often asks how I got that job. I always reply, “I met the right people, stayed in touch, and asked for it.” They usually walk away stunned.

It is quite simple really. I found out that I had a passion for finance a few years ago when I started to manage my own money. Starting as an English and Secondary Education major, there was an obvious disconnect between my night time reads and my daily academic pursuits. The English was quintessential though, so I wanted to stick with it. Also, by staying the course I would be able to graduate in four years – an important goal for me.

When I made the decision to go for the financial community, I did everything I could to put myself in a position to meet the people that could take me there. It started with the Finance Club on campus. I had heard they ran a trip to New York City every fall, so I said to myself, “I need to be there.” When one thinks finance, “Wall Street” is of course, the number one goal. This was my chance…

So, I did it. I made it to Wall Street with the club, thanks to some great leadership from the former Finance Club officers (Mike, Matt, & Co.) and made some friends there (most of whom I stay in touch with to this day). Simple concept posed by Jeffrey Gitomer, a favorite author of mine: “People want to do business with their friends.”

I kept progressing through the club, putting myself in positions of leadership to create a “presence.” This led to my management of a team of investors for our Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF), and for my grooming to be the next president of the organization. Guess what? Thanks to my friends and their invaluable guidance, I am now the President of the Finance Club.

My involvement got me introduced to a few Manning & Napier executives, one of which became my boss this summer. I met them at a SMIF Advisory Board Meeting at Locust Hill Country Club early in the Spring semester. My presence was felt, and the Human Resource guy from M & N called me the next day. That was not the end of the story though, because I remain a believer that you never get a job through HR.

The phone went dead for me from M & N for about two months before I said, “I really need to find a job for this summer, and it needs to be in finance.” After some research into the company (M & N), I decided that was where I wanted to be. So, I put the action plan into effect – reach out to my contacts there. I peppered everyone I knew, the Co-Director of Research, the Director of Risk Management (my boss), and an analyst I met through another finance club meeting.

What did I say? I said, elegantly I might add, I’m impressed by your company (which I was – genuineness is essential, without it nothing you say matters), I’m curious if you have opportunities available for the summertime as I’m trying to figure things out from my end, and here is my updated resume for your viewing pleasure. The next day, Chris (my summertime boss), wrote me back and said he was looking to create an internship that matched up with my unique abilities and to call him if I was interested. I called.

Interviewed the next week, made friends with his team, got formally accepted into the group, and started May 21, 2007. My presence was felt…

But, you might be asking, “Joseph, how do I make myself known?” Check back in the future for articles on “Making an Impression,” and “Commanding a Presence.” - JWN

Notable: Joseph Norman is co-founder of a weekly e-newsletter, Notable and Newsworthy: VIP Profiles, with his friend and business partner, Ben DeGeorge. Together they have built relationships with dynamic leaders in many organizations and industries.

Letter from the Editor

Notable and Newsworthy: VIP Profiles, Issue 24


What's happening?

Quite a bit here at the Notable and Newsworthy pad at 69 Second Street. We are thrilled to feature a variety of stories this week.

We have David Koretz, CEO of BlueTie, Inc - a young and incredibly influential figure in the technical world and beyond, Frank Kowsky, retired professor of Art History from Buffalo State College, and Leonard Echevarria of St. Pauly textiles - a person with a must read story about determination to succeed, despite an under privileged background.

Team VIP Notables: Michael Reiff continues to produce exemplary work for us with this week's article on Frank Kowsky. Chris Popovici helped us with his talents by producing the Notable and Newsworthy Logo! Thank you Team VIP!

Always our best,

Joseph

Notable and Newsworthy

SUNY Geneseo '08


Life and Times of JWN

Throughout the past week I spent a considerable amount of time eating food leftover from the housemates (and former housemates) at 69 Second Street. A bunch of class acts - those crazy cats. Thanks to ol' Eugene, I had some delicious Italian Sausage just this [Sunday] afternoon. I can be pretty frugal, so I've been feeling like a king recently with such delicacies at my fingertips.

Also, this week I pumped out a considerable amount of personal notes on my new "branded" cards. Maybe one day you'll receive one and understand what I'm talking about.This is a habit I've developed 1) because of some good advice from a few important people in my life, and 2) adding a distinct personal touch in a world that has become so impersonal is incredibly important to me.

ACTION PLAN: Take time this week and write a personal, handwritten note to three important people in your life. Everybody has someone to thank for making their life a little easier.

Notable and Newsworthy was founded by Ben and me on these principles of personal interaction, so it is something we take very seriously.

In other news, I attended a fund raising event Saturday night at Hot Shots in Rochester - the Second Annual Shnozfest. This was an event put on by a friend of mine at work, John Serron, and his former classmates from Penfield High School. It raised money for the Jon Ozimek Scholarship Fund, an award named after a friend of theirs that died of cancer in the last few years. There was some rocking music, it was a great cause, and I had an enjoyable time. (Nice work John & Co.).

Have a splendid week readers and enjoy this week's VIPs. They are some good reads, if I do say so myself (as an English major, I feel I have enough clout to make that claim).

Always my best, ~ Joseph

Frank Kowsky

Frank Kowsky:

Art History to the Core

By: Michael Reiff

For more from Bigger Impact co-founder, Joseph Norman, visit www.normanized.com. 

Enjoy the read about...Frank Kowsky...below! Thanks for your readership!

Frank Kowsky is a retired Art History professor from Buffalo State College, who resides in Buffalo. Always the fan of a mid-day cup of coffee, Kowsky understands the value of friendship like no other, and is always encouraging others to share experiences and friendships. Over his career at Buffalo State he has not only grown as an Art Historian, but also as an advocate for understanding and cultivating one’s passions in and out of the professional world. Kowsky currently is working for the Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier in Buffalo, researching and writing on behalf of the organization’s efforts to solidify buildings throughout the Buffalo area as national landmarks.

Kowsky began his career as an Art Historian at George Washington University, where he originally had majored in Foreign Service. However, upon taking a basic survey course in Art History, Kowsky began to form a passion for art and architecture, one that was encouraged by his professors who took notice of his strong work. From there, he went on to graduate from George Washington with a bachelor’s in Art History.

Kowsky studied briefly at New York University during his master’s studies, but upon receiving a scholarship, he transferred to Johns Hopkins. Here he finished his master’s under the tutelage of the trailblazing scholar Phoebe Stanton, who at the time was one of the rare experts in the field of 19^th American century architecture, what Kowsky would later build his own expertise around. Kowsky became one of her first students, and with her guidance crafted his master’s dissertation around the American church architect, Frederick Withers. And in 1970, Kowsky began his own scholarly path, taking a teaching position at Buffalo State College. Kowsky taught at Buffalo State his entire teaching career, retiring fully last January, 2007.

While at Buffalo State, Kowsky taught courses in American Architecture and American Art, along with Italian Renaissance courses.

Today, Kowsky still works in the field of American architecture, but now works in the preservation sector. Kowsky, along with Buffalo researcher Martin Wachadlo, has been researching and preparing papers, aiding in the process of naming existing Buffalo architectural structures as landmarks, through the National Register. Most recently, Kowsky has written a paper about the derelict grain elevators along the Buffalo industrial waterfront. Kowsky says that this work is simply an extension of his past research during his time at Buffalo State. Two architects that Kowsky has been most interested in following have been Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, both notable 19^th century architects who left their mark on Buffalo. Through his work with the Landmark Society here in Buffalo, Kowsky has been “trying to increase the interest in historic districts in Buffalo.”

Today, Kowsky feels that he is, “busier than before!” He states, “The only thing I’m not doing that I did before is be in the classroom, teaching. I enjoyed it…but I saw the opportunity that I could devote myself [to preservation]…doing the kind of research and writing that I like to do.” Kowsky doesn’t feel that he will be returning to the classroom, but considers that what he is doing now with the Landmark Society is educating as well, “but in a different way,” he says. Kowsky has also joined the editorial board of the Olmsted Papers, a scholarly periodical headed by Charles Beverage, a close friend of Kowsky’s and a renowned Olmsted scholar himself.

Kowsky grew up in Washington D.C. In fact, he walked by the White House “almost every day” on his way to George Washington while attending college. Kowsky says that he had relatives in Buffalo, however, and therefore found the move from D.C. to Buffalo State easier. And, as Kowsky relates, he has found the city itself to be an “architectural museum.” Buffalo is indeed home to a veritable who’s-who in 19^th Century architecture, with buildings crafted by such notable designers as Olmsted and Vaux, as well as Louis Sullivan, D. H. Burnham, and of course the Frank Lloyd Wright. All of these architects created a community of artistry that gave Kowsky a ground for his own research. It’s only recently that Kowsky has become interested in the lesser-heralded industrial buildings that can be found throughout Buffalo.

Michael Reiff (Team VIP) and Frank Kowsky enjoying a nice backyard session

Kowsky’s love of architecture stems from the aesthetics of its appearance. As Kowsky says about what draws him to architecture, “I guess I look at architecture for its aesthetic appeal.” The aesthetics of the Hudson Valley, and the Hudson River School Painters in particular drew Kowsky early on. Now, he looks at the “aesthetic dimension” that can be found in Industrial structures, as he works for the Landmark Society. Now that they are “empty shells,” Kowsky notes that such buildings as the grain elevators have taken on a “monumental expression,” and notes the quote from Ruskin, “When things cease to be useful, they become beautiful.”

Kowsky remembers that during the 19^th century aesthetics played a large role in how the city of Buffalo was being planned, and notes that people are coming around to that idea again. “We’re kind of coming around to the idea…that it’s not just a place where things work well—that’s important—but where it’s also enjoyable to be.” This balance of utility and aesthetic is continually important to Kowsky.

Recently Kowsky also took opposition to the selling of works of art at the Albright Knox Gallery in Buffalo, which is still in the process of liquidating its pre-18^th century works, dating back thousands of years. Kowsky’s reasons are numerous for his opposition, including, “as an Art Historian…I just couldn’t say goodbye to these great works of historical art. I just didn’t see how an art historian could say ‘this is expendable.’” Kowsky was also concerned with the false delineation between contemporary and historical art, and how one should take precedence over the other. Kowsky notes that many of the works being sold today also were given to the gallery at its inception, and a connection to the past is now being lost.

As Kowsky notes, “I often say contemporary art is a lot like contemporary science. In the past, in the 19^th century, probably every educated person could understand the principles of science that were popular at the time, but today it’s become so esoteric, you really have to be very knowledgeable. And that’s sort of the way art’s gone.” This ties back to his Albright Knox argument, where Kowsky notes the current misguided practice to only acquire the latest modern works that down the road, hopefully, will become masterpieces in their own right. Kowsky believes that the Albright Knox already had a collection that was valuable, and discouraged the idea from its inception. “[The hope] is to buy something that will be equally or more valuable in the future. But it’s a chance, you really don’t know what the future is going to say about the art of 2007. It’s very hard to judge.” But, Kowsky concedes, “It’s done now.”

In the realm of hobbies, Kowsky is an avid reader. “I haven’t been systematic in my reading,” Kowsky notes, mentioning he is currently reading the latest novel by Margaret Drabble, his favorite modern writer. Kowsky has also been reading the works of Penelope Lively, and both authors write insights about modern life that Kowsky enjoys. Looking to past literary works, Kowsky also enjoys the work of Balzac, and novels in the “novel of manner’s” tradition. Kowsky enjoys reading for the “use of language,” as he puts it, something which he feels helps him develop his own writing.

Kowsky feels that any written work, whether it’s fiction or architectural study, “should be well written as well as informative, and that can be very difficult sometimes. When you are explaining the contributions of others, rather than your own contributions, you have to be very careful about what you say and how you say it, trying to get at the truth, without being boring.” Reading the works of novelists as well as his colleagues helps him to hone his own writing to ensure the quality of writing he aspires to produce.

Kowsky also enjoys photography, but confesses he hasn’t had too much time to follow the hobby lately. “I like to take pictures that look like paintings, or the works of the artists of the past,” notes Kowsky.

Along with reading, Kowsky also enjoys watching films, both old and new. Leaning more towards foreign films in his tastes, he recommends his favorite film “La Strada,” or any of the films directed by the renowned Italian director Frederico Fellini. “Those are my favorites,” he notes of the Italian director’s repertoire.

Kowsky also collects miniature replicas of famous architecture, as pictured here. Kowskey keeps the tokens, often of his travel in Geneva, in his study, where, he admits, they are becoming quite numerous.

Kowsky loves to travel, and while his mother had originally hoped he would become a lawyer, his love of travel originally positioned him for study in Foreign Service. However, now that Art History has become his passion, travel has become even more important. “You always come back from travels with a different view of your life,” says Kowsky, “and feel like you’ve been not only rejuvenated if it’s been a good trip, but you change the way you do things…some of the ways you look at things.” Kowsky also maintains a rule of often going to places where he knows a friend of a friend, someone who can give him an introduction to a new place, and enrich the experience, noting that he’s made some very good friends that way. A few places Kowsky particularly loves to travel to are Geneva, Sicily and Maine.

Kowsky is also a great lover of food, both the eating aspect and the sharing. “I would put French Cuisine at the top of the list, Italian second. And then a lot of other things,” Kowsky notes, describing his broad but European-centered tastes. Along with the flavors, however, Kowsky also loves the time spent sharing food with friends and family. “I think that some of my greatest pleasures have been around a table with people. I enjoy food for the taste but also because it tends to bring people together…[a] good meal with good friends…that’s one of the great pleasures in life,” Kowsky relates.

Kowsky is also a follower of a good joke, especially, “jokes that are ironic or clever. I like riddles. I have a hobby of collecting them, the more abstract the better.” Kowsky says that riddles can be a good way to get to know children and young people who often react well to them. Overall, Kowsky believes that a sense of humor is “extremely important in this life,” as well as being around people who have a sense of humor. Sharing jokes and laughter is like sharing a meal with someone to Kowsky, “you feel like you’re a friend, and you can laugh together. You’re sharing a point of view, which brings you together.”

Kowsky also enjoys playing certain games, especially billiards and poker. He enjoys both because they are games that, “you don’t have to take too seriously, and you can talk while you play.” The camaraderie of poker is something Kowsky enjoys, and the ambience of pool halls is something else Kowsky appreciates. “You get to mix with people you don’t normally mix with, and it’s really a nice thing,” Kowsky notes of the pool hall experience.

And to coffee: a day without coffee simply isn’t a day finished properly. “I have coffee every day, and I try to have coffee with someone, as a social event,” says Kowsky. The rise of the coffee shop, especially in Buffalo, is a very agreeable development to Kowsky. “I like coffee shops better than bars…I just like the mixtures of ages that you find in a coffee shop…men and women, young people and old people.” To be able to sit and enjoy an espresso in the middle of the afternoon is something Kowsky enjoys especially, and describes as “café culture,” something he has enjoyed practicing, in particular, with his nephew while visiting picturesque cafés in Europe.

And while Kowsky considers himself content in his personal life, he sometimes feels a little isolated from the mainstream of scholarly thought, living in Buffalo. As Kowsky puts it, while he is in contact with a few of his colleagues, Buffalo, on the whole, doesn’t have a “vigorous intellectual community,” especially in the area of Art History. While many scholars often look outside of the Buffalo area to find intellectual companionship, Kowsky has decided to look in, becoming involved in the local preservation movement.

Through the Landmark Society, which Kowsky considers to be only second to his main passion of art and architectural history, he feels that he has “met some wonderful people.” Kowsky believes that through working with different kinds of people he has not only been given a chance to educate in different ways, but also had the chance to view and accept new and different points of view. Working with the preservation movement has connected him with some very outwardly passionate people working on their own projects, connections Kowsky missed while working at Buffalo State.

“I think I was a good teacher. I think I was able to present material of a complicated nature, at least Art History, in a way that was understandable and appealing to people,” notes Kowsky of his in-classroom strengths. Kowsky tried to leave jargon out of his explanations of art, and instead tried to reach the essence of a topic, and then teach from that. And in the end, Kowsky feels that educating truly is his greatest strength. “[I] present things to people that they might not have thought about, that they might not have been open to,” Kowsky comments, acknowledging that, “I think sometimes when you give someone something, it isn’t just a physical thing that you can give, but knowledge, or the gift of another friend.” This sharing of friendship and common interests is one of Kowsky’s most fulfilling activities that he continually practices.

Kowsky concedes, however, that “I could be better organized. I’m still having trouble with that.” Kowsky has considered heavily issues of time management, and how to best allocate the day’s waking moments to maximize his time. Kowsky continuously is considering how much time a certain activity is worth, and that maintaining a balance of structure and flexibility in the day is something he ponders throughout his daily activities.

And while Kowsky is constantly striving toward accomplishing new goals, he has already grasped what life-long success can be as well. “I think what Sommerset Maugham said is, ‘The variety of experience and the ability to develop your talents to the fullest capacity,’ that’s what makes a person happy.” Kowsky lives by that mantra, and also notes that “I don’t think success is necessarily measured by your wealth.” To Kowsky, success is following and developing your passion, something he has done and continues to do in Buffalo.

This idea of personal success leads into what Kowsky believes is good advice for those beginning their own careers. “Think of life as what varieties and worthwhile experiences you can have. Try and find a way of doing something that will allow you to develop what your talents are to the fullest.” Kowsky notes that he has had the good fortune of being able to do that, teaching and researching in Buffalo, and says that if you can find a path that allows you to build on your talents, then that “makes for a happy life.”

Overall, Kowsky believes that an interest in Art History allows you to develop an interest and understanding of the world at large. “That’s what I told my students,” Kowsky notes, “that even if you never become an Art Historian…you will have a very wide liberal arts background, that will give you a wide view on things…and you won’t be bored!”

Kowsky notes that the study of architecture can lead to a more nuanced perspective on understanding the growth of a city, or any place, looking at what is new, what is old, and what people’s interests were from the buildings. “You can read the history of a place in its architecture,” Kowsky believes. Because of the solid grounding art history can give someone, Kowsky believes “everybody should take a basic course in the history of Art,” noting that one learns a wide variety of topics through the study, including geography, history, human psychology, all the way to the great myths of western culture. “There aren’t that many studies that take in that much,” Kowsky notes.

In case you missed the first version, a deja vu shot of Michael Reiff (Team VIP) and Frank Kowsky

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Frank Kowsky

Buffalo State College

Art History Professor (retired)

David Koretz, CEO of BlueTie

David Koretz:

One Love

By: Joseph W. Norman

For more from Bigger Impact co-founder, Joseph Norman, visit www.normanized.com. 

Enjoy the read about...David Koretz...below! Thanks for your readership!

One of the first things one notices about David Koretz is his incredible presence. Not only does he stand over six feet tall, but he carries himself with an undeniable sense of purpose, high energy level, and passion for life. An experienced traveler, David has grown into a person, 27 years of age, who appreciates world cultures and seeks to dig deeper into all of them. Now, as CEO of his fourth business, BlueTie, Inc. David is on a trek to make a global impact – something he takes very seriously. His entrepreneurial spirit and motivated quest for knowledge (on all levels) makes him a pleasure to talk to and a joy to be around.

David is a “geek at heart,” and takes probably the most pride in his twelve United States technology patents. This makes him considered a “fellow” amongst engineers, a feat rarely, if ever, accomplished by a CEO. His first business focused on home automation, and fittingly so, his loft near the art gallery in downtown Rochester, New York, is equipped with the fanciest technologies.

He confesses, “My house has wireless security cameras which email me when they detect movement.” Also, he has multiple robots which vacuum his floors, lights that dim when he calls home and says he has a date, and a 200 inch high definition screen that descends from the ceiling - all of which he installed himself. To add to probably one of the swankiest of pads, he built a three terabyte audio/video server which broadcasts digitized versions of 7,000 music videos, 550 movies, and 62,000 songs throughout multiple rooms, including the bathroom so he can watch music videos when he showers. Ladies look out!

Business has always been a quintessential part of his life – starting as early as the age of seven when he went into business selling sea shells from his grandfather. A well known quip of David’s is when he told his grandfather to stop sending shells from Florida, David would just pick some up when he went down to visit. This meant David did not have to split the profits anymore.

To understand David’s thoughts on business it is best to dig into a personal statement of his on the subject, but first some background…

He has created four businesses, starting his first at age 14 and built it up to about a $100 million in sales by age 17. He went to Brighton High School during the day and attended college, at RIT, at night. Thus, he graduated from both high school and college at the age of 16. One year after graduation he sold the company and went to Babson College for Business. He left after just one semester because he started a second company and sold it, and started a third company and got venture capital before he began a “formal business education.”

Now, David is on his fourth company, BlueTie, Inc. which is valued well into the nine figures and is becoming a smashing success on the Software as a Service front. “It’s been a good run,” David reflects. The point of the background is, he is 27 years old and he started when he was 14. He has much to offer in respect to his motivations and here it is…

“What got me into this business is not what keeps me in business. When I was young I made a lot of money and I made arrogant statements like ‘I want to be a billionaire.’ I was hyper competitive and being able to quantify the yard stick was very important to me.”

“As I’ve grown up and had a chance to experience and travel the world – I’ve been traveling since 14 and on my own since 17 - I’ve had the fortune of meeting about 15 of the Forbes 400. Most of the people I have met in that world are extremely unhappy. One of the things that scared me was seeing a dozen unhappy billionaires because it made me think about my goal of running down that path to get to the same place they are. This created pause. I said, you’re chasing after somebody that is miserable – then I refined my goals and came up with the idea of the ‘One Love Tour,’ to which you cannot apply, you can only be accepted.”

The ‘One Love Tour’ is an incredible cultural experience which focuses on David’s desire to make “a ding in the universe,” – a quote from Steve Jobs, a person who David admires. This tour covers 72 countries in twelve months and includes four key stages: Relaxation of Mind and Body, the Adventure Tour, the Intellectual Tour, and the Eastern Religion Tour. But first, the rules must be set out. You cannot have any responsibilities at home. This means someone has to be paying your bills and taking care of your realities. You cannot have a job or any board memberships. “Nothing at the moment,” David says. “You’re only in it for being in it.”

The first three months is the relaxation tour which features trips to places such as Argentina, Venezuela, Tanzania, Mozambique, and many more. During the second phase, the Adventure Tour, trips into the jungles of Madagascar, Djibouti, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Australia, New Zealand, and some parts of Antarctica are all par for the course. Phase three is the Intellectual Tour, featuring tours of Eastern and Western Europe, Scandinavia, and more, while the final stage is the Eastern Religion Tour. This takes place in India, Tibet, China, and various other Asian countries. The next twelve months is spent on the islands in St. Johns to figure out “whether we rinse and repeat,” says David.

David in Nicaragua

This tour will most likely take place for David within the next five years or so, he states. “If I was intimately well versed in cultures, then I can add considerable value relative to my business capability.” At the age of 27, and with his latest business producing nine figure revenue streams, he seems to be well on his way to making that “ding in the universe.” The cultural experience no doubt remains a key part of David’s life, despite his intense focus on business.

To mix two philosophies together, David reflects on the culture of business. He states, “A lot of people, when they go into the world of business, look at what career they want, not what culture they want.” Next, he describes the three types of businesses in his eyes, “Zero to aha, aha to interesting, and interesting to major companies.”

“Zero to aha,” is a distinction David gives to the strategic phase of business building. This features questions such as; “How do you build a compelling business model and a compelling product?” And, “how do you get past the strategic questions to make it an execution question?” David admits, “I’m really good at that first stage. Therefore, for him, he enjoys creating the company and making it work. The benefits, David states, “You can make a lot of money quickly in the ‘zero to aha’ stage, if you like to run really hard, take big risks, and make big bets - that is my world and that is what I enjoy.” There is one key assumption though, that it is a business with $100 million plus in revenue potential.

“Aha to interesting” is now not a question of strategy, because that has just been solved, but rather a step into execution risk. For David, “That is not really fun.” It is refining processes, building out infrastructure, and scaling the business. “I don’t really enjoy that,” David confesses. “I’m not the best CEO to run this company five years from now.” Most CEOs won’t tell you that, David says.

Describing the Rochester area, he said, “You’re not talking about really scalable businesses - maybe ten or twenty – most of them are lifestyle businesses, not billion dollar businesses.” He reflects on the importance of these types of business but states, “When venture capital is involved, you don’t have a choice – you are intended to build a scalable business.”

“Interesting to major companies” feature nine figure revenue streams, proven out execution risk, and now is scaling risk – the third type of risk. This stage is also something David does not particularly care about. He reflects on the abilities of his friend Jonathan Judge, CEO of PayChex, Inc. “If you look at PayChex, you get a guy like Jon Judge. He’ll make a few million a year to figure out how to take the business from two billion a year to four or five billion a year. It is a very rare skill, and Jon is a very bright guy.” David also describes Danny and Colleen Wegman as business people at this level.

David in Austrailia

In conclusion on this topic, David states, “The question functionally is what part do you enjoy?” There are few people like Tom Golisano, his partner and founder of PayChex, Inc. who can go from “Zero to scaling a business and stay the whole way,” David reflects. “I’ve chosen that I’ll probably spend the next thirty years of my career finding interesting companies in billion dollar holes and filling that hole as fast as possible. That is the way I look at my world.”

A big part of David’s life involves interacting with people he admires. Recently, he had dinner with former President, Bill Clinton. “He is a really interesting guy,” David says. “He has an unbelievably charismatic way to capture the attention of whoever he is talking to.”

Tom Golisano, is a friend and mentor to David and Chairman of BlueTie, Inc. “If there are four options to do something, Tom will find the fifth,” David admits. “His ability to not necessarily analyze the question you asked him, but step back and analyze the question he thinks you should be asking forces you to re-ask the question and rethink your approach - I really appreciate that about him.”

David had the opportunity to spend a few days with Buzz Aldrin, one of the first American’s to land on the moon and a Doctorate from MIT. “I spent two days with him and he is a super smart guy,” David says. “He got so far over my head so fast – I couldn’t help but be interested.”

David at his desk at BlueTie World Headquarters in Pittsford, NY

Another really good friend of David’s and somebody he admires is Keith Ferrazzi, author of Never Eat Alone and CEO of Ferrazzi Greenlight. “I have been friends with him since I was a kid,” David says. In fact, he brought Keith to Nazareth College in Rochester to speak at an event. David remarks, “He is interesting in terms of his scientific approach to networking, something a lot of people really suck at.”

David climbing Mount Marcy, highest peak in New York State

In general, David admits to be interested in people that are interested in stuff he knows nothing about and are really passionate about what they do.

Although David is consumed by a variety of interests, there are a few which take precedence, chocolate and racing BMWs, Porsches, and Ferraris. His favorite chocolate is Amedei Chocolate from the hills of Tuscany.

A self proclaimed connoisseur of the delicious dessert, David throws a chocolate tasting charity in which the participants have a stunning 42 course tasting. They each consume over a pound and a half of chocolate! Unfortunately, the Amedei, Porcelana and Chuao chocolate bars, David’s favorites, are in short supply. “It has been an interesting process,” David reflects. “I have had six people turn me down when I try to buy them - they refuse to sell it because they don’t have enough of a chocolate relationship with me.”

The hobby of racing cars stems from David’s need to get away from the throes of the business world. He cannot golf because it is too slow. David admits, “You can’t focus on anything else when you are driving a 130 miles per hour.” After competing in such races as Cannonball Run: the Race across America, he now instructs at Watkins Glen. If you meet David, ask him about the blonde woman he met at the track on the rainy day - it’s a good story.

David boasts an incredible work ethic, sleeping only 3 or 4 hours a night during busy times at his company, i.e. a new product roll out or a big deal being made. He often stays up for days at a time while on a roll with his work. Then, he’ll catch up on sleep for a few hours. He is not a man void of philosophies about his pursuits though, as reflected here in a personal statement about success:

David and Joseph in the office

“It is a whole theory for, ‘How do you really push yourself? And, ‘What is meaningful about life?’ The simplest way to describe it is that only two things matter; relationships and accomplishment. They are the only two things that drive sustainable happiness - so creating [BlueTie, Inc.] achieves both for me. If you create the right environment, you get to be surrounded by a lot of really smart people. I like to be around really smart people. At BlueTie I am fortunate to be surrounded by great people. Relative to accomplishment, I go on a week vacation and I get bored out of my mind. So, a lot of it is going out and having a canvas, so to speak, to create interesting things. I think I will always being doing this – I think I have to.”

David is motivated by a quote of Henry David Thoreau, “Only those that go too far will know how far one can possibly go.” David feels that most people don’t push the limits because they are uncomfortable with failure. “People combine failure as a person, with failure in business - failure is a track record where you understood the process of being great,” David admits. “I’ve been lucky because I’m four for four.”

To sum up David simply is impossible. His diverse interests make him a scholar all over the board. One thing does ground this man though, his insatiable desire to make an impact on a global level. His determination and work ethic will no doubt make that happen. More importantly, he will do it with the utmost respect for the cultures of the world - as long as he has the 'One Love Tour' under his belt.

Ben, David and Joe in the BlueTie, Inc. Lobby

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David Koretz

BlueTie, Inc.

Founder & CEO

BlueTie, Inc.

1050 Pittsford-Victor Road

Pittsford, NY 14534

Email: david@BlueTie.com

www.BlueTie.com

www.DavidKoretz.com