40°
- Who: Mike Mattone, Yorktown Heights
- What: Promoted to Vice President of Public Relations for Municipal Credit Union of New York
- Did you know? MCU provides financial services for employees of the City of Yonkers, City of Mount Vernon and private and public universities in Westchester County
“I’ve found that in business, like football, it’s not about your name being on top of the marquee,’’ said Mattone, a Long Island native who graduated from Pace in 2007. “It’s doing your job, working with other people and making sure that you’re always protecting your brand. I’m doing a better job professionally with my brand than I did as a lineman protecting my quarterback.”
Mattone joined the Municipal Credit Union in 2008. He worked as the Corporate Communications Manager of Marketing and the Assistant Vice President of Public Relations before being promoted in August to Vice President of Public Relations.
MCU has been serving the financial needs of its members for a century. It provides services for employees in the municipal services sector, such as firefighters, police officers and teachers. Employees of the city of Yonkers, city of Mount Vernon and private or public colleges in Westchester are among those eligible for membership. The credit union has more than 400,000 members and over $2.4 billion in assets.
In his newly-created position, some of Mattone’s responsibilities include public relations and corporate communications, and internal and external communications. He will also be the credit union’s corporate spokesperson, develop corporate communications content and work with senior management to enhance and grow the corporate brand.
“It presents some new challenges and opportunities,’’ Mattone said. “I’m happy the institution and CEO have allowed me to do this. Kam Wong, our CEO, is the hardest working person you’ll ever meet. I’m very honored that he feels I’m the person capable of fulfilling this role.”
Mattone had similar duties in his previous position. The Wells Fargo scandal illustrates the need for banks and financial institutions to monitor their brand at all times. “We’re cognizant that it’s great to be proactive in the fight against people trying to harm your business’ reputation,’’ Mattone said.
Mattone enjoys assisting people who have dedicated their careers to civil service. “They’ve taken a job that not many people are willing to take,’’ he said. “It’s rewarding, and fulfilling.”
When he graduated from Pace, Mattone landed a position at an advertising company where he had an internship. He lost the position as the nation’s deepening financial crisis took hold. He then took a position with MCU. “It was more on the client side and there was a little bit more stability,’’ Mattone said. “This position is pretty close to my aspirations while at Pace.”
He played football for four years at Pace and served for one year as an assistant coach. Pace’s teams went 8-32 during Mattone’s playing career with the Setters, who have continued to struggle on the gridiron. Pace went 0-11 this year and is 2-51 over the past five seasons.
“It was a once in a lifetime experience,’’ said Mattone, an offensive lineman. “I made lifelong friends and learned a lot of life lessons. We did not have the team or personal successes I would have dreamed of, but I took so much out it from a personal perspective. I learned a lot of life lessons that I can adapt to my current role. I don’t think I would be who I am without those four years playing football.”
Mattone sees brighter days ahead for Pace football. But he is proud that lessons he learned on the field have carried over to a business environment.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is dealing with adversity,’’ Mattone said. “Nothing goes the way you expect it to go. There’s one thing no one can ever predict, and that’s the future. The most important thing football taught is that you need be prepared for anything and be prepared to adapt. Adaptability and being able to shift on the fly has been beneficial for me.”
Click here for more information about the Municipal Credit Union.
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