Since 1994, Fenimore Asset Management has held its annual FAM 5K “Fund” Run/Walk each September (except during COVID-19). Preparations for this year’s race on September 24th are already in full swing and we caught up with Keith Cataldo, Director of Trading and Operations at Fenimore and the FAM 5k Team Captain to learn more about why he became the organizer of this race what that means to him.
- HOW DID YOU BECOME THE FAM 5K TEAM CAPTAIN?
I was just lucky, I guess!
I am the 3rd member of the Fenimore Family to take over the reigns as Race Director. I had some big sneakers to fill following our previous two directors (George Chelius & Peter Sweetser).
Six years ago, I started to assist Peter with some of the race coordination. Once you understand the impact the race has had and will continue to have on the charities and our community, who wouldn’t want to be part of that?
It’s a lot of work but an honor to be associated with the race.
- AFTER A 2-YEAR HIATUS, THE FAM 5K IS BACK WITH YOU LEADING THE WAY. WHAT IS ONE WORD YOU WOULD USE TO DESCRIBE BEING ABLE TO CONDUCT THIS RACE AGAIN IN OUR COMMUNITY?
Opportunity!
During the pandemic when we were unable to host the FAM5k, Fenimore continued to support these organizations behind the scenes. However, the race is what provides the “Opportunity” to bring attention to five outstanding organizations. Organizations that make the lives of people better; that make our community better.
- BY DAY, YOU ARE FENIMORE’S DIRECTOR OF TRADING. EVERY YEAR AROUND THIS TIME YOU TRANSFORM INTO OUR FAM 5K TEAM CAPTAIN – 2 VERY DIFFERENT ROLES. ARE THERE ANY SIMILARITIES?
I think that both roles require someone that can be comfortable with making decisions.
As the Director of Trading my job is to try get all our clients the best possible entry or exit price on an investment. I must decide when to buy or sell a security to ensure that I put our client’s best interest first. I may not always be right, but I will have a reason for making that decision at that time.
It’s the same with my role as race director. I look at all the information and make a decision that I believe is in the best interest of the race that year. It’s impossible to always be right, but you need to be comfortable with your decision and able to learn from any mistakes.
- WHAT IS ONE BEHIND THE SCENES DETAIL OF ORGANIZING A COMMUNITY 5K THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW?
People are usually surprised when I tell them that I begin my preparation for the September FAM5K at the end of January. I have built a spreadsheet to help keep me and the race timeline on track. The first order of business is always to sign a contract securing the Cobleskill Fairgrounds (where the race is hosted), followed by contacting the board for that year’s charity race recipient.
I have over 80 separate checkbox items on my sheet that range from ordering T-Shirts to testing walkie-talkies.
There are two certainties as race director:
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- You can never be too prepared.
- You will always forget something.
- WHAT’S EASIER TO YOU – RUNNING A 5K OR ORGANIZING A 5K?
I don’t by any measure consider myself to be a runner. But running a 5K would be much easier than organizing one. The FAM5K is also considered a “Run/Walk”. I wouldn’t be setting any new course records (Male: 14:26 & Female: 16:06), but I know I would have a lot of fun competing with family and friends.
- WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF RACE DAY?
Is it bad to say when it’s over? In the immortal words of John “Hannibal” Smith from my favorite 80’s Television show The A-Team:
“I love it when a plan comes together”
Join Keith and Fenimore on September 24th to walk/run and support our mission of endorsing and promoting the qualities of family, health, and service to our community.
Learn more and register here: http://www.fam5k.com/