At the 97th Mitsui Lunchtime Forum, Chairman and CEO of Certified Pure Air LLC, John Griffonetti spoke with Baruch students about the lessons he’s learned throughout his lengthy and productive career.
A Baruch alumni himself, Mr. Griffonetti graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1990. He says that he learned how to manage time while attending school full time and interning before and in between classes. The college also has a special place in his heart as it is the place where he met his wife.
Mr. Griffonetti offered students several pieces of advice that helped him along his career: Always be prepared and ask lots of questions. He shared that his best business advice is “Find out what your clients really need, not just what they say they want.”
As a serial entrepreneur in finance, Mr. Griffonetti placed an importance on making sure the back office was organized and running just as smoothly as the front office. His energetic and hardworking nature landed him positions at firms such as First Boston and Deloitte and Touche.
He currently owns a mortgage bank with the goal of becoming the next Quicken Loans. “Where there’s disaster, there’s opportunity,” he said, teaching students the importance of adapting, thinking outside of the box, and seizing opportunities in uncertain times.