My story begins in State College, PA where I was born and raised. At 18, I left for Italy. There, I learned a second language fluently, enjoyed La Dolce Vita in the Eternal City of Rome, and after a time earned my degree in Business Administration at John Cabot University. I learned the value of listening and the value of hard work and persistence. As a bonus, I learned that I was good with computers.
So good with computers that, when I returned to the USA, I eventually earned a Master's Degree in Computer Science. Along the way, I moved to San Francisco for an opportunity to work at NASA. I was a Grid Computing Specialist which means I wrote software code in Java & XML; I published papers on distributed computer systems security; and participated in Grid, SOA & Internet Security Standards Organizations. I learned to think about the big picture and to look for creative solutions. Plus, I married a native New Yorker and we had a baby girl.
Soon enough, we decided to move East to be closer to family and landed in Washington DC. I developed my consulting skills working for Booz Allen Hamilton. I also discovered my drive to add value and do a job to the best of my ability. I experienced the fulfillment in mentoring others to achieve their goals. I became a landlord with the purchase of a multi-unit property in Arlington (walking distance to the METRO of course). We've gotten better at tenant qualification and landlord responsibilities since our first year, and we still manage the property ourselves.
One day, Manhattan beckoned too strongly and we came to Gotham. In due time, I learned that corporate paychecks and resources are comfortable, but it wasn't enough for me. I wanted to drive my own destiny. I wanted to see tangible results from my efforts. I wanted to help others succeed. I wanted to live authentically and be the best possible role model for my child.
There was only one thing to do: follow my internal compass & embark on an entrepreneurial journey. From that beginning, has come the opportunity to launch Metropolitan Commercial, a boutique real estate practice serving entrepreneurs, businesses, and professionals searching for the perfect location in New York. City.
So good with computers that, when I returned to the USA, I eventually earned a Master's Degree in Computer Science. Along the way, I moved to San Francisco for an opportunity to work at NASA. I was a Grid Computing Specialist which means I wrote software code in Java & XML; I published papers on distributed computer systems security; and participated in Grid, SOA & Internet Security Standards Organizations. I learned to think about the big picture and to look for creative solutions. Plus, I married a native New Yorker and we had a baby girl.
Soon enough, we decided to move East to be closer to family and landed in Washington DC. I developed my consulting skills working for Booz Allen Hamilton. I also discovered my drive to add value and do a job to the best of my ability. I experienced the fulfillment in mentoring others to achieve their goals. I became a landlord with the purchase of a multi-unit property in Arlington (walking distance to the METRO of course). We've gotten better at tenant qualification and landlord responsibilities since our first year, and we still manage the property ourselves.
One day, Manhattan beckoned too strongly and we came to Gotham. In due time, I learned that corporate paychecks and resources are comfortable, but it wasn't enough for me. I wanted to drive my own destiny. I wanted to see tangible results from my efforts. I wanted to help others succeed. I wanted to live authentically and be the best possible role model for my child.
There was only one thing to do: follow my internal compass & embark on an entrepreneurial journey. From that beginning, has come the opportunity to launch Metropolitan Commercial, a boutique real estate practice serving entrepreneurs, businesses, and professionals searching for the perfect location in New York. City.
