What was your major in college?
I majored in Operations Management in college. I chose that because I wanted to get into the business world, and it seemed like a good foundation.
What was your first job?
I had my first job when I was in 7th grade. The father of some older kids in my hometown owned a fish market down in Brewster on Cape Cod. Every in-season Saturday morning, they would pick me up at 3 o’clock and we would drive down to the Cape. I filleted fish, boiled lobsters and prepared the shrimp. My first job out of college was working for a large medical technology company. I traveled around the country installing hospital software.
How did you get into the construction industry?
Jim Harlor, a long-time figure at SMW, first brought me in. I have pretty much known Jimmy as long as I can remember. Right after my senior year in high school, Jimmy was helping me with my pitching at the fields, and he offered me a summer job working with him on various construction projects. I framed houses and roofed with Jim and his partner Mike from 1989-1995 – when I was in college. I really enjoyed those years working in construction with those guys, but it sure takes a toll on your body!
When did you first hear about public adjusting?
It was probably when Jimmy went to work with SMW. He would frequently tell me about his job and the claims he was working on.
What’s your favorite part of your job as a PA?
Helping clients, of course. I especially like the larger claims – the ones that are really challenging. I enjoy digging in and going through the process of settling those types of losses. I also enjoy learning about those aspects of construction that I wasn’t already familiar with.
What’s the most rewarding claim you’ve worked on?
For me, Cedardale Health & Fitness was one of the most rewarding claims I’ve been involved with. That claim involved a large family-run business that was totally wiped out by a massive fire. Getting them through a very difficult process was rewarding. They are really good people, and we worked as a team to get them fully operational and recovered.
What are your hobbies?
I like to work around my house and yard. Right now, I am finishing my attic. I just put in a full set of stairs to get up there, so that is keeping me busy. When time permits, I also like to golf and fish.
What is your favorite sports team?
I have always rooted for the Seattle Seahawks. Steve Largent has always been my favorite player.
What’s your favorite restaurant?
Corfinio is my favorite local spot. I know the guys who own it and it is a great restaurant. Del Frisco’s is always a good time as well.
What’s your favorite food?
That is a difficult question. I would say homemade pasta because you can just do so much with it. Bone-in ribeye and Soppresseta would have to be a close second.
What’s the worst trend you have participated in?
Sadly, like my colleague Bryan, I was part of the Z. Cavaricci pants craze. I also had parachute pants, and proudly sported a mullet.
How do you motivate others?
I try to show them the light at the end of the tunnel. I feel that if I can articulate what we are working towards, and identify that we have a common goal, people respond.
How do others motivate you?
I respond well to being challenged. On the construction sites, we would always have competitions for who could carry the most lumber, whether it be sheets of plywood or stacks of 2x4s. Everyone realized it was just a tactic to get the lumber moved faster, but that didn’t matter. And I guess it is the competitive nature in me, but I still try to keep my kids from beating me in anything – which is getting much harder to do. I want them to know that if they do beat me, they earned it.
What’s your best quality?
My good friends would say it’s my cooking skills. I get the rotisserie going, maybe with a bone-in rack of pork or a Porchetta, and do it slow on the grill. I make good gnocchi, pasta and ravioli. By 5:00 a.m. on most Sundays, I’m in the kitchen making meals for the week. My 14-year-old daughter helps me occasionally, and those are the best days. I learned to cook from my grandmother, my aunt and my mother. My colleagues would probably say my best quality is my work ethic.
What’s your favorite vacation spot?
Recently I went to Jamaica and loved it. Maui was also a beautiful place. I want to go to Tahiti or Capri for my next big vacation.
What is your daily attire?
During these COVID days, it’s mainly just shorts and a T-shirt. Typically, I wear jeans and a zip-up jersey of some kind.
What’s your favorite TV show?
Forensic Files.
Which books do you prefer – audio or reading?
Reading.
What’s your favorite movie?
The Godfather Part II.
What’s the favorite picture you have taken?
A couple years ago, we rented a house in Northwest Maine and took a picture of the kids under a waterfall. I love that picture. I also have so many great shots of my dog.
What superpower would you want?
The ability to disappear.
What would you pick for a new first name?
Rocco. I always liked the name Rocco, which is my oldest son’s name. So, that’s the name I would choose if I had to re-name myself.
Who is your celebrity crush?
Reese Witherspoon.
How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?
You have to work at it constantly and it is very hard. I also coach football and baseball, and I’m at all the kids’ events. So, that’s how I spend most of my time outside of work.
What trait are you most proud of in your children?
They’re all really polite.
What was the highlight of your football career?
Beating Foxboro, and playing in the Massachusetts high school Super Bowl.
What would your high school football coach say was your most valuable trait?
I could throw. [Editor’s Note: Tony set the Mansfield High School career passing record as a quarterback, and was a 4-year starter on the varsity baseball team, playing shortstop and setting the school record as a pitcher for career strikeouts.]
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Bad drivers.
What’s your favorite cocktail?
Crown Royal, either neat or on the rocks. My grandfather used to drink that, so it makes me happy to think of him when I’m having one. Olvidio was a great man, like so many from that generation.
If deserted on an island, what three things would you take with you?
A gun, a lighter and a tent.
What’s your favorite band?
Led Zeppelin.
Which do you prefer – beach or mountains?
That’s hard – those are my two favorite places! I guess I’d have to say mountains.
What was the last concert you attended?
Foo Fighters.
What’s the most challenging part of the job for you?
Keeping up with everything that’s going on all the time.
If you only have 5 minutes to grab things from your house during a crisis, what three things do you take?
Family photos, some items my mother left me, and my dog Ruby (a 95-pound French Mastiff).
