THE TEAM
George Martin – the man who encouraged me to move forward with this project and regularly reminds me, “don’t even think about not succeeding.” But long before this project … George was an American Football defensive end who played his entire career in the National Football League for the New York Giants (1975-1988). Beyond his many records and accomplishments as a professional athlete, George is also a corporate executive, humanitarian and philanthropist. His Journey for 9/11 -- a walk he began at New York’s George Washington Bridge on September 16, 2007 and finished 3,000 miles later in San Diego on June 21, 2008 -- raised more than 2 million for medical care for Ground Zero first responders. He is co-founder and Chairman of Minority Athletes Networking and serves as an Executive Board Member for the National Football League Youth Football Initiative. And the list goes on … George is a giant of a man in many ways, most memorably to me, however, was when he would take Dad to breakfast, even as Dad’s health and vigor began to deteriorate. I know that Dad felt strong, proud and “himself” in George’s company during that time. Dad was such a fan, and for reasons beyond his stellar career, so am I.
Harry Carson – at the request of George Martin, Harry Carson kindly offered to lend his name and effort to this project. Mr. Carson is a former American football inside linebacker who also played his entire professional career for the New York Giants of the NFL. He was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 2006, as has been honored with many other inductions, including the College Football Hall of Fame, the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame, etc., etc. In addition to a post career in Sports Broadcasting, Mr. Carson is President and CEO of Harry Carson Inc., a Sports Consulting and Promotions Company. He also serves as Executive Director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, which is dedicated to creating racial and gender diversity in non-player roles within the NFL. Dad was a long-time fan of Harry Carson, and someone he was proud to call a friend.
Raymond Colotti – Retired Treasurer of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP). Former Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Sperry Corporation. What started as a business relationship turned into a friendship that spanned 35 years. Ray and Dad were together a lot; at business functions, fundraisers, dinners, sporting events, family gatherings, at home. Ray remembers: “Your father wanted life to be fabulous, for everybody. Good was not good enough. He taught us what happy could mean… that it was a permanent state of mind, not just moments in time. He wanted everybody’s life to be as happy as his was.” Ray was a friend, partner-in-crime and confidante of Dad’s for decades, and continues to offer his love and support to our family, and with this project, to me.
Joseph Cary – Managing Director, Key Banc Capital Markets. Previously: Sales Trader, Susquehanna Financials; Trader, Citibank; Senior Managing Director, Bear Stearns. Joe met Dad at Bear Stearns, when he sat in the same row on the trading floor. He remembers that everyone seemed to tiptoe around Dad. The story goes … On busy day, Dad told Joe “Quiet Down.” Joe responds: “I’m busy, I like my coffee light and sweet.” Silence. Friends since that day. Beyond the business, and in spite of a huge age gap, Dad and Joe shared a love and respect for our Armed Forces, in particular, the Marines. Dad’s brother was a Marine as is Joe’s father. They began entertaining active Marines after 9/11 with golf tournaments and dinners, and Dad participated wholeheartedly in Joe’s Honor Day at a local golf club. Joe continues to carry the torch for the Marines, as they had done together for years. From Dad’s perspective Joe was THE FUNNIEST guy on the planet, bringing humor and levity to the best and most challenging times.
Thomas Mungeer – President, New York State Troopers PBA. Uniformed Trooper for the past 23 years, 1993 – present. As President of the PBA, the labor union for the uniformed troopers in the state, Tom helps negotiate with the State of NY for wages and benefits for its members. Dad and Tom met with a phone call. When Trooper Longabardo was tragically killed by an escaped convict in 2006, Dad called the PBA asking how he might help the trooper’s family. Tom picked up the phone and they were friends ever since. A charity was set up for Trooper Longabardo’s family which Dad supported. Beyond that, Dad met Tom and other troopers for many dinners over the years, which always included friends from all corners of Dad’s life and, as Tom remembers it, plenty of laughs. Dad’s appreciation and support of law enforcement and their families is well known … getting to know Tom and other troopers personally was something he treasured for as long as I can remember.
Laura Schreiner – VP, JP Morgan Securities, a wealth management division of JP Morgan. She is part of a team responsible for client functions and operations for the team’s high net-worth individuals and executives. Laura started at Bear Stearns in 1981, moving with Ace Greenberg to JP Morgan Securities in 2008. Laura knew Dad for more than 30 years and remembers him fondly as a source of daily jokes, and his generous approach to food – lunches, dinners, chocolate for all. Laura visited Dad in the hospital shortly before he died, promising him she would take care of anything for my mother in upcoming months. And she has done just that. She has been a kind, confident, trustworthy friend to us all as we have navigated our new life.
Amanda Crames – Owner, Schuyler Pond Home and Garden, in Saratoga Springs, NY. Mother to Kellen, Daughter. Of the many things Dad taught me over the years – "eat dessert first", "because she’s your Mother", "do what you love", "tip well because it means more to them than it does to you", etc. etc. – he always reminded me “do not forget people when they can no longer do anything for you.” In that spirit, this project was born.