Home: North Haledon, NJ. Age: 64 - It’s the new 84. Birthplace: Brooklyn, NY. Profession: Journalist. Organization: Gannett. Title: Director of Investigations. Preferred pronouns: He/Him/His. Significant other: Lorraine Armenti Scandale. Alma mater: Rowan University (Formerly Glassboro State College). Languages spoken: English.
Current project: Gangs Next Door - an investigation into how gangs in Hudson Valley NY cities have been allowed to thrive in certain neighborhoods for decades. Recent recognition: New Jersey Press Association Public Service Award for an investigation into rogue school bus contractors. Latest accomplishment: Organizing a family reunion of first cousins who have not seen each other in decades. Latest contribution to others: Donation to a young man cycling across the country to raise awareness of distracted driving. His website is eyesupride.com. Hobbies: Searching for my lost golf balls while cycling on my way to fly fishing with my trusty yellow lab Chester. Recent travel or adventure: I learned to fly fish in the mountains of Colorado, though “learned” would be disputed by my friend and instructor, Mark Eddy. Now he’s good. But a rainbow on a fly rod dwarfed by soaring snow-capped mountains stirs the juices. Last book read: The Last Road Bum, by Hector Tobar. Before that, Savage Inequalities, by Jonathan Kozol. Recently viewed and recommended: Stanley Tucci’s Searching For Italy series on CNN. A banquet of sounds, tastes and smells of the cuisine of all of Italy while basking in the country’s history, culture and. people. Magnificent exploration. Recent unique acquisition: A spectacular panorama photograph of New York City at night from my backyard, created by my dear friend, photographer Rich Gigli, in his unique style.
Personality profile: Open and outgoing, intellectually curious, always in pursuit of a good laugh. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Joyful. Moral compass: The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, or WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?). What is your greatest joy? Vacation with my wife and kids. What natural talent have you neglected? Creative Writing. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Musician. What is at the top of your bucket list? Writing a novel. How do you relieve stress? Walk 18 holes of golf. Focusing on hitting a little white ball for 4 hours blocks out all the worries of the world. If you're worried about your job on your backswing, you'll have more worries paying off your golfing debt. What is your go-to workout? Biking.
What movies have you repeatedly watched? Jaws, Saving Private Ryan, The Front Page, (or its original, His Girl Friday), All The President’s Men. Who has had the greatest influence on your life? My father. What is the best advice you received growing up? Don’t let the small stuff get to you. What is the best advice you received in your career? Focus on your strengths. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? The cellphone. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? Environmental degradation.
What is your big idea?
A 24/7 information digital and cable TV site for New Jersey with video and text feeds from each of our 21 counties, operating out of Montclair University’s journalism lab.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Mentoring as many younger journalists as possible and urging journalism students to innovate the craft. What change would you like to see in the world? An end to wars and efforts by nations to dominate one another. What message do you want to send out into the world? We have to make equality the goal for all humans. And those humans all need to work together to fix the problems we have created. What mega-trend most excites you? Renewable energy growth and electric cars. What mega-trend most concerns you? Misinformation via social media.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? You Gotta Be Kidding. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Stanley Tucci. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in Heaven? My two grandfathers, who emigrated to NY from Italy as young men and never met. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Get my family and closest friends together for a giant bonfire on a beach with guitars and songs. What advice would you give your younger self? You don’t have as much time as you think. Make each day count.
Personal mission: To be kind to others and make a positive impact on the world. Personal motto: Laugh and love every damn day. Favorite quote: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” (Chief Brody, from “Jaws”). Desired epitaph: Here lies a good man who made many laugh and loved his family and friends freely.
