2016 Alumnus Stresses Importance of Relationship Building

Class of 2016 alumnus Marco Fontana recently moved from Miami back to New Haven for a new job at Gartner, a chance to coach baseball with a Hamden Hall buddy, and to enjoy much better pizza.

After graduating from Hamden Hall in 2016, Marco earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and management in 2020 from Ithaca College and played on the Bombers’ Varsity Baseball Team for his four years. Marco also had a sales internship in college with the New York Mets in 2019 and an offer to work for the Mets when he graduated - but the Covid pandemic complicated his senior year. Ithaca College went virtual, and Major League Baseball ended its 2020 season in September after only 60 games.

Marco pivoted from baseball to football, moved to Miami, and took a similar sales position with the Miami Dolphins. He sold tickets and group packages to individuals and businesses. One tip from Marco, “if you’re buying Dolphin tickets: be sure to sit on the home-team side of Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins get shade on hot days, while their opponents (and fans) bake in the sun.”

Leveraging his sales experience, Marco took an account executive position with SAP Concur. He worked remotely from Miami, selling a software system to C-suite executives to automate and manage their company’s travel, expense, and invoice processes.

This past February, Marco moved back to New Haven and took an account executive position with Gartner in Stamford. He sells research and access to Gartner analysts to high-tech and telecom clients based in the Northeast. Already living the Gartner brand, Marco explained, “we deliver actionable, objective insights that drive smarter decisions and stronger performance.”

Marco advises alumni looking to make a job change to focus on building and maintaining relationships. He was contacted on LinkedIn by a recruiter to interview for his Gartner position, so he stresses the importance of keeping your LinkedIn profile up to date. “Be sure to network with your connections from LinkedIn, work, college, and Hamden Hall,” Marco recommends. “Get job referrals, insights, and recommendations from your connections, especially before you interview. Always stay in touch with people. Not just when you need something. Relationship building is key.”

Speaking of staying connected, Marco lives in New Haven with one of his Hamden Hall buddies, Michael DiMartino, both of whom are Lifers from the Class of 2016. Marco said he loves being back in Connecticut after being away for the past eight years. Of course, he did fly back to Miami to visit friends and enjoy some sunshine before starting his new job at Gartner.

In addition to his continued friendship with Michael DiMartino, Marco gets together with Ronald LoRicco, Class of 2016, and Vincent Teixeira, Class of 2011. Vincent is the owner of the Connecticut Cowboys travel baseball program, and Marco is head coach of one of his teams. “While I used to play second base and shortstop at Hamden Hall and college, I really enjoy learning and coaching all of the positions on the field,” he said.