AskaNewYorker: So who are you?
Michael: I’m Mike Faulkner. I’m president of Transversified Marketing
Group.
AskaNewYorker: That’s a lot of diversity.
Michael: It is. It’s a corporation that is a subsidiary of Diversified
Development Group Inc.
AskaNewYorker: Further diversity…what’s Diversified Development
Group about?
Michael: It’s a company that helps firms in their corporate development.
AskaNewYorker: Who do you work with in NYC?
Michael: Cipriani
and New York Society of Association Executives.
AskaNewYorker: Cipriani has some wonderful venues.
Michael: Absolutely, it’s a premiere jewel of New York City. We’re
helping them with 55 Wall Street, which is one of the most beautiful buildings
in the city. It’s an event venue. And we’re helping them fill it
with social and business activities.
AskaNewYorker: What’s booked so far for 2006?
Michael: Nothing, as yet as Cipriani is a new client.
AskaNewYorker: You mentioned earlier an upcoming event at the Rainbow Room.
Michael: Yes, at the Rainbow Room we’re hosting a dinner for 22 men and
women from all over the US who manage large organizations that host major events.
AskaNewYorker: Are they aware that Feb 5 is Super Bowl Sunday?
Michael: Well, we’re going to see what’s more important, the Super
Bowl or serving their clients. Also this evening will be the kickoff for We
Love New York Day which is an annual event hosted by the Society
of Association Executives on Feb 7. It’s a day long event of awards,
education presentations for non profits for the north east. And in this particular
case we will be awarding several notoriety awards. Donald Trump will be getting
an award, BeBe Neuworth and Mayor Bloomberg. And there’s a kind of personal
issue for me too. I’ll be making the presentation for my doctorial thesis.
It’s the first research in the 21 century focusing on Association Executives.
So I’ll be revealing that at a session at 10:30.
AskaNewYorker: What’s the title of your thesis?
Michael: What impact, if any, will changes in immigration have on U.S trade
associations? I researched associations executives and look at their current
attitudes and beliefs and how that will change the behavior in terms of what
they are going to do about the enormous changes in our population due to immigration.
I will reveal the results of that at 10:30 on Feb 7.
AskaNewYorker: We’re on a roll…
Michael: What I’m really, really proud of is that I’m receiving
at the end of Feb. or the first of March, depending on the beauracracy, the
first PHD anywhere in Association leadership. I’m receiving that from
the Union Institute & University in Cincinnati . It is the first doctorial
program of which I was honored to write the syllabus. There are currently 7
people in the pipeline behind me. But I will be the first person ever to be
awarded a PHD in Association Leadership.
AskaNewYorker: Associations is a great concept. Why did you choose this as
your thesis?
Michael: The Associations business concept lends itself to service which I
think comes natural to us. As an example: Being of service to our own families.
I think I mentioned to you once before my son was injured an am automobile accident
after being struck by a drunk driver almost 12 years ago. He’s a musician
and he’s made a living as a musician in New York. But he is legally blind
and has to walk with a cane and needs assistance. So my wife and I share time
living in New York with him in his apartment in the Whitby Building. Matter
of fact it is the building that Frank Sinatra lived in at one time as well as
Sammy Davis Jr. and the rest of the Rat Pack at one time. Not all on the same
floor as us. (laughs) But it is the Whitby building and so we help Kenny as
much as we can. But he makes his own way. But as a family we try to support
him. We share time staying with him and make New York our home away from home.
AskaNewYorker: That’s more then service, sounds like a lot of love. Last
question: How would you describe your outlook on life?
Michael: Philosophically I think life is a series cross roads between preparation
and opportunity. I think opportunity comes along and you have to be prepared
to recognize that it’s an opportunity. Or recognize that it’s an
obstacle. It doesn’t matter. But the key is being prepared. And from that
preparation you decide how you’re going to go with it.
