photo 2After the ceremony, I was able to speak to Vince Camuto who expressed the heartwarming feeling that his children are not his only family, but that he sees his employees, most, at least a generation younger than him, as his family.  All part of why he won the award and his company has been so successful.

I was able to speak to Curtis Martin at length and was impressed by his calm.  He had answers ready for all questions asked.  Because his father was an abuser his mother was his mentor.  Asked how to guide children in the balance of winning and sportsmanship, Martin said, just try to be the best you can be.  Winning at all costs is fine as long as you don’t break any rules.  “But it is not competition with others that is important, it is the competition within oneself.  Be better than yesterday,” he suggested, “and let the chips fall where they may.”  This reporter responded with “And for you, the chips fell pretty well.” And Mr. Martin gave the broadest, warmest smile of ease and grace.  It was easy to see how even though the father of rather young children he was honored on this day with father’s of twenty and more years, he is a role model for being the best while remaining cool.  A full interview has been recorded.