ALBANY, N.Y.  – With the recent announcement of SEFCU Arena's renovation project breaking ground comes the opportunity to recognize a number of companies and individuals that have been instrumental in supporting the project. Alex Tronco, managing partner at Northwestern Mutual and a season ticket holder for UAlbany Athletics, understood the significance of supporting the renovation at a major gift level.

Alex and his wife Gina were recognized before UAlbany Football's home opener on Saturday, Sept. 10 where they presented a check for $100,000 to UAlbany Athletic Director Mark Benson for the SEFCU Arena renovation project.
 
"I chose Northwestern Mutual 26 years ago based on the opportunity to succeed and help others," stated Tronco.  "Our team at Northwestern Mutual is very special and when presented with the chance to help UAlbany Athletics through the SUNY Impact Foundation Tax Incentive Program, several of us were quick to jump on board."

"Without leadership gifts like these, important upgrades to our athletic facilities would never happen," said UAlbany Director of Athletics Mark Benson. "Alex and other members of the Northwestern Mutual group understand what it means to compete at the highest level. Their support of UAlbany Athletics through the SUNY Impact Foundation Tax Credit Program is a game changer."

Other members from the Northwestern Mutual Capital Region team who have recently supported UAlbany include Bill Newman, Founder and Private Wealth Advisor at The Atrium Financial Group, as well as Ryan Hungershafer and Peter Mortka, Partners and Private Wealth Advisors at Spring Street Financial.

The $13M SEFCU Arena Renovation Project is on track to be completed by November, 2023.

For the full interview with Alex Tronco, see below.

Q: How did you get your start with Northwest Mutual?

Tronco: I was graduating from Siena and I walked into a few different job interviews during the course of my senior year when I stumbled upon Northwestern [Mutual]. I liked what they had to say, I liked that they were helping people. I liked the fact that all the work that I was going to put in, I was going to benefit from directly. And frankly, I liked that the more people I helped, the more rewarding it would be. I figured that if a company gives me an opportunity to work hard and help people, and I can make a great living at it, that would be a good fit for me. So, after four interviews, I decided this was the place for me and I have been here ever since. I'm now starting my 26^th year.

Q: What sets Northwestern Mutual apart from others?
Tronco: We are going to take the time to get to know you and create a personalized financial plan to help you achieve your goals. We will analyze what products or investments may be needed to help you get there. Even beyond that, we can be a resource. If you have a family and you don't have a will, we might recommend you go get an attorney. We'll help you navigate that process  which can be challenging for people. Our goal is to have a lifelong relationship and guide you as life changes. We are not going to just walk away.

Q: Why UAlbany Athletics?
Tronco: Again, I go back to relationships. I have a relationship with you first and foremost, that's important. If I believe in the cause, that's also important. So, for me and UAlbany, it's been a relationship. It started with Mark Benson many years ago, and then when Coach [Dwayne] Killings came in, it went to another level. He came to my office and he started building a relationship with me, along with some of his players and coaching staff. Then I met [Coach Hamlet] Tibbs for the first time. It started with the relationship, paired with UAlbany's cause and mission. I love what [UAlbany Athletics] does with students, because in my opinion, athletics are great, and I wish I was a better athlete every day. But what they learn there, the relationships they build, what you all are teaching them outside of athletics is critical. I believe in that mission, and what you guys are doing, and I get excited about that.

Q: Several other Northwest Mutual colleagues are supporters of UAlbany and UAlbany Athletics. What's the connection there?
Tronco: We all work independently at Northwestern Mutual, but we're pretty dependent on each other. All the advisors like Bill Newman, Ryan Hungershafer, and Pete Mortka, we collaborate a lot. We do a lot of things together in the community. When this opportunity came up, we decided it makes sense for us to be more involved, and so we worked together again. Go back to the relationship, I've trusted their work for a long time. They are really amazing people.

Q: When you found out about the SUNY impact program, what were your initial thoughts? And what did you think that you could do with that?
Tronco: My initial thought was that it was too good to be true. [Mark] Benson assured me that it was the real deal. I called my accountant and reviewed it with him. I said 'Hey, am I missing something?' and my accountant confirmed that the grant works the way it says it does. It frankly is a no-brainer for me. This way I could really direct where that money goes.

Q: When you speak with young individuals, like student-athletes, that are considering how to start their professional careers, what points do you make that might be a little different from what they're hearing from other others? What would you point out to them?
Tronco: I think that this generation coming up has an amazing opportunity. If you're a young individual wanting to make a mark on your career, it's not going to be easy, but it's never been any easier, because I think most of the competition is asleep at the wheel. Here's what I mean by that. There's a few things I tell all my kids. If you say you're going to follow up with people, follow up. If I say I'm going to call you Wednesday, let me make sure I call you Wednesday. I'm going to follow through. I'm going to do what I say I'm going to do. If I can't, I will immediately make it right. If I said I'm going to send you 'ABC' by Friday, I'm going to call you and say 'I know I promised this to you by Friday, but I'm not going to meet that deadline. I guarantee you'll have it Monday morning.' Follow up, follow through. Do what you say you're going to do. Say please and say thank you. And then go a little bit above.

For more information on how to support UAlbany Athletics, contact Craig Turnbull, Associate AD for Development at cdturnbull@albany.edu.