10 Years
Fred Conforti
AVP & Senior Loan Underwriter
To many customers, Fred Conforti is the voice of Maspeth Federal Savings. That’s because, in addition to serving as Assistant Vice President & Senior Loan Underwriter, Fred facilitates insurance payouts—a job that often puts Fred between people and what they see as their money. “I’m either a pain, or I help them get what they need,” Fred laughs. His tip for easing tension? “I reinforce that we’re in this together. Everybody’s different. You never know what you’re walking into.” Fred learned about real estate appraising from his mother, the first woman appraiser at the Member Appraisal Institute, which awards the highest designation in the field. “She was a trailblazer. Still is!” While attending SUNY Platzburg, Fred interned at her firm before going on to Long Island Savings Bank, Citibank and Fleet Bank, until a layoff unlocked his true passion. “I was totally checked out at 30. I read a book called Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow, by Marsha Sinetar. That catapulted me into music.” In 1995, Fred set out to pursue his lifelong passion for music at Sam Goody, one of the most prominent entertainment retailers of the 20th century, according to Rolling Stone. “Turns out it wasn’t just a passion for music, but a passion for coaching. As a district manager, I had 18 stores: 18 managers, all different personalities.” Ten years later, Fred moved to Starbucks, which had pioneered a music-retail experience in its coffeehouses. When the brand’s music distribution ambitions faded, Fred returned to appraising. “Customer service has been a thread through every job. It’s what I’ve always gravitated toward— the human aspect in our job. I’m a representative of the bank when I’m out in the field. That’s the beauty of it.” Fred gets out a lot in his free time, too. He serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Community Bankers Mortgage Forum and as a fire marshal at MFS concerts. He has completed four marathons and several long-distance treks with his two sons. He even met his 17-year “partner in crime” Carolyn McQuaid on a dating site dedicated to outdoor and sustainable living. His advice to young people: “Be a sponge. Talk to different departments. Be open to any opportunity. When you’re young, you can get locked into things. Step outside the box, and eventually, you find your way.”
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online