Photo by ELIZABETH A. MUNDSCHENK Louis A. Falvo, left, corporate secretary and his brother Richard M. Falvo, vice president. Portrait done at the #3 Mill in New York Mills on Monday, September 5, 2001.

By MARY MARCHIO
Observer-Dispatch

Going out on construction jobs and handling work inside the office doesn’t leave much time for Louis Falvo III to work on hobbies, but it’s all part of the job he enjoys.

Falvo, 30, corporate secretary of H.J. Brandeles Corp. starts his day at 6:30 a.m. and finishes around 5 p.m.

“Bringing work home is the normal thing,” said Falvo, who also puts in hours on Saturdays.

As corporate secretary Falvo is in charge of insurance and legal issues and overall operations for the commercial heating, air conditioning and plumbing company.

He lives in New Hartford with his wife, Kristen, and 1-year-old daughter, Alexis, and sometimes finds it difficult to juggle the demands of work and family.

“It is a challenge, but it’s something that you have to do,” he said.

Falvo is an avid golfer who is a member of the Utica Curling Club and volunteers for activities at the New Hartford Recreation Center. He is an active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

His sister Francine Falvo Babikian nominated him, and their brother Richard, for the Accent on Excellence award because of his intelligence and honesty.

“He is extremely dedicated to his family,” Babikian said. “It makes me very proud.”

She said both of her brothers had the opportunity to work outside of the area, but decided to return home to the Mohawk Valley and carry on the family business.

Their father, Louis Falvo, took over H.J. Brandeles in 1960. He is a constant inspiration to his children.

“He forces us to make decisions,” Falvo said. “He lets us learn from our mistakes.”

When Falvo was younger, he knew he wanted to do something in the mechanical or technical field, but wasn’t sure if he would work at the Utica-based company.

“It’s good to be able to work with your family,” Falvo said.

He graduated from Duke University with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Another sister, Marylouise Russo, said her brother Richard always pushes himself to get the job done.

“He doesn’t accept less than his personal best ... and he expects others to do their best as well,” she said.

It fits well with Falvo’s own philosophy — always do things the right way.

“Even if the wrong way works, learn it the right way,” he said.