'This is where I grew up, this is my home'

By RENEE GAMELA
Observer-Dispatch

When many manufacturers were packing up and moving out of the city, Michael Fitzgerald - a talented General Electric engineer - could have left, too.

But he didn't.

"Plain and simply put, it's family," Fitzgerald said of his decision to open a business in 1997. "This is where I grew up. This is my home, and home is where the heart is. Rather than follow the career around the country and follow GE where the company wanted to do business, I figured we'll just do business here."

Fitzgerald, executive vice president of Oriskany Manufacturing Technologies, said he passionately believes in the city that many manufacturing companies turned their backs on. The tubular manufacturing and fabrication company employs about 65 people, and Fitzgerald said he wouldn't want to have a business anywhere else.

"There's an affinity for quality here," Fitzgerald said of his employees. "They all share the same common love for the area."

Joseph Cattadoris, president of New Hartford Sheet Metal, nominated Fitzgerald for the Accent on Excellence Award. Cattadoris wrote in his nomination letter that Fitzgerald "has always helped me in ways that were not only meaningful, but crucial for the success and long-term survival of my business."

"I know (Fitzgerald) feels a deep sense of commitment to this area," Cattadoris said. "I know there have been times when he's been frustrated, because we've talked about it. He wants to see this area grow and thrive, and as much as he can, he wants to be a part of it."

Fitzgerald completed the Edison Engineering Program through GE, which honors employees who demonstrate above-average engineering skills, Cattadoris said, adding that Fitzgerald opened his business with the idea it would compliment Cattadoris' company.

"He's truly an entrepreneur. He's helping the area and other people, as he's creating a small empire," Cattadoris said. "But he's not doing it on the backs of other people - he's doing it in concert with the community, with his employees and with other businesses. He's very successful and very familiar at the same time."

Not only is Fitzgerald a committed businessman, but he's also a devoted family man. He coaches youth baseball and soccer in Clinton. Despite Fitzgerald's busy schedule, he finds time to do volunteer work, Cattadoris said in his nomination letter.

"Many times in the spring, it is not uncommon on a Saturday for Michael to have a baseball game in the morning and soccer in the afternoon," Cattadoris wrote.

When it comes to finding the time to run a business and give back to the community, Fitzgerald said he just does it.

"If you want something done, you give it to a busy person," he said. "That's always been a philosophy of mine, and when you make a commitment to something, it's just second nature to fulfill it. So, it just comes down to commitment and what's important to you."

Family also is important to Fitzgerald. While he said he was "humbled" by the award, he said his wife, Julianne, is the reason for his success.

"With regard to the award, it's really one that my wife and I both share," he said. "I couldn't do anything that I do without her."