Somewhere along Sunday’s 40-mile route through the five boroughs, the TD Five Boro Bike Tour became something I didn’t expect — a journey back through the moments and people that shaped my life.
As I rode through Lower Manhattan, I thought about the four firms that defined much of my earlier career — Merrill Lynch, Kidder Peabody, Salomon Brothers, and Credit Suisse First Boston — and the special moments each gave me.
Some were incredibly difficult: the crash of 1987, the mini-crash two years later, the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and 9/11 — an event none of us who were there will ever fully leave behind.
But there were also the quieter moments that stay with you: the early train rides preparing for morning research calls; the late nights finishing reports and presentations; conversations with colleagues about work/life balance; and clients whose questions made you sharper and better at your craft.
What came through most clearly, though, were memories of the people who made a real difference.
Dr. Paul Root, GM’s Chief Economist who hired me as a summer intern during graduate school.
Jack Lavery and the late Dr. Michael Luckey of Merrill Lynch Economics, who hired me for their Automotive Consulting unit.
George Boyd of Kidder Peabody, who believed I could make the transition to financial analyst and gave me extraordinary mentors in Stephen Albert, CFA, and the late Roy Burry and Bob Hageman.
Jim Crandell of Salomon Brothers, who encouraged me to build a truly global automotive research team.
And Alfred Jackson of Credit Suisse First Boston — the best boss I ever had — and whose lessons I value even more with each passing year.
Mentors and colleagues who challenged me, supported me, and helped me become who I am today.
When the ride entered the Bronx, another chapter came back.
That special conversation with my father on a Sunday morning in August 1977 encouraging me to visit Fordham University and pursue my Ph.D. in Economics there — a decision that changed everything for me.
Its where I met my wife Jean of 46 years; professors like the late Dominick Salvatore, Gene Diulio, and Fr. John Piderit, SJ; Fr. Vinny Hevern, SJ, who married us; and Fr. Hank Hilton, SJ, who has had a profound influence on my spiritual life over the past 15 years.
Somewhere in those 40 miles, I realized I wasn’t just riding my bike through the five boroughs of NYC. I was riding with all the great people who made me who I am today and grateful for a city that opened its doors, helped shape my career, and gave me relationships that endure to this day.
To borrow a line from that great theme song New York, New York, “𝑰𝒇 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆, 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆. 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒖𝒑 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝒀𝒐𝒓𝒌, 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝒀𝒐𝒓𝒌.”
So How About You?
When you look back on your own journey — what are the moments and people that shaped who you’ve become? 🙏🏼❤️ 😎
#TDFiveBoroBikeRide #MerrillLynch #KidderPeabody #SalomonBrothers #CreditSuisseFirstBoston #FordhamUniversity
