New CABOgraphy Series: Printing Super Salesman Rob D’Errico Makes His
Own Headlines in Life
Rob D'Errico, seasoned printing salesman for CABO member GHP Media, the largest commercial printer in southern Connecticut, has put thousands of businesses' names in print over his successful sixteen year career. But his own story is worthy of press… and an interesting conversation at our next Outreach Event! For starters, Rob loves Frank Sinatra, cigars, koi ponds, his partner Wil, and their basset hounds, Dudley and Gracie. Oh, and he's a proud Republican!
He's our first CABOgraphy, which showcases and celebrates business members both on and off the clock.
Here's Rob's life story...
I grew up in North Haven with my parents and two older brothers. Being Italian, my family always enjoyed doing things together; weekends were always spent with the entire family... NO EXCEPTIONS! My mom cooked whenever asked; even now I'll come home with a note on the fridge that she dropped off something. (My partner Wil gets very excited when I tell him!)
My dad is like a human encyclopedia, and can help with just about anything you need fixed because he has about every tool in existence. But he will also stop on a dime whatever he is doing to help you out. I was very close to my grandparents. Who wouldn't with the way they cooked! They started one of the original brick oven pizza restaurants in New Haven, and my grandfather was a master pastry chef.
I wanted to be a photographer since 9th grade. Although it wasn't what I ended up doing it's still in my heart. I started working with my dad at his company when I went into the printing business. When we decided to close our business, moving my clients and operations to GHP was an easy choice.
I enjoy working with designers and other creative people helping to get the most out of what my customer is looking for. We print for art galleries, museums, fashion designers, universities, corporate, liquor, and retail and packaging. Our primary focus is managing print projects large and small for clients who demand a high-end final output.
I live with the most wonderful person in the world, Wil. He has truly made me a better person and I can't imagine life without him. We met September 22, 1995 at the Cromwell diner. We moved in together 3 months after that and hate to be apart. We live in a great area of Hamden where we can be ourselves with very caring neighbors and friends. We walk our basset hounds Dudley and Gracie every night and often stop to chat with them.
We put in a koi pond and since we are both big fans of Japanese Anime, all the fish are named after our favorite characters. We try and travel as much as possible with as little planning as possible. There's nothing more exciting than going to a foreign country and just winging it as you go.
My biggest passion is Ocean Liners. Not the modern cruise ships of today but the luxury liners from the turn of the century to the 1960's. I've been collecting memorabilia from this area for the past 20 plus years, and it's all over our house.
I have been a HUGE fan of Frank Sinatra since I was a little kid. I don't know why but I can listen to him 24-7. My mom said I must have been a Bobby-Soxer in my previous life! I can honestly say I think I have every song he has, watched every movie and ready every book about him. The day he died I stayed home from work I was so upset.
One interest I have that draws some criticism in the LGBT community is my political views. I am a proud Republican. At parties or meetings when I hear people bashing this politician or that politician I usually stay quiet until Wil or friends say Bob's a Republican! It then becomes interesting how the conversation changes as I explain why I am a Republican as we have much in common. Fortunately Wil hates politics.
A friend of mine who works for an Ad agency first told me about CABO; how fun the meetings are and that it would be a good way to make additional contacts. CABO has not only opened doors to new clients but has also allowed me to meet people with very different backgrounds.
I was a member of CABO before I worked for GHP. I approached the owner before I came onboard about the opportunity of GHP becoming a corporate member and how it was important to support the LGBT community, along with the ability to bring in additional business. It was an easy solution as GHP is very supportive of LGBT employees.
The LGBT community is more loyal than most people think. Whether you're a corporation or a LGBT owned company, like anything else, if you work at it enough the benefits will follow.
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