MAKING IT IN THE 802: Paul W. Carroccio ’96

Paul W. Carroccio ’96 Owner of TPW Real Estate and Management in southern VT Go play. Leave the work to us.

Paul Carroccio ’96 said that lifestyle was the driver behind his decision to settle in Vermont. He graduated from Purdue University in 2000 with a degree in engineering, spent a year seeing the sights here in the States as a traveling musician with the Jim Gilmour Band as a drummer, and then set his sights on Vermont. After 9/11 and the uncertainty following this event, he wanted to be near his family and close to the things he Paul W. Carroccio ’96. liked to do. The Carroccio family had already established a business, and Paul joined in, eventually creating something he could make his own. And even though his father, Paul T. Carroccio, suggested he “get out there and experience life in the big city,” the attraction of Vermont was unbeatable. Two teachers had an immense influence on Paul while he was at Burr and Burton, his music teacher John Sanders and his math teacher, Dan DeForest. Both helped keep him on track as Mr. DeForest reminded Paul constantly that he had the capabilities and talent needed to succeed, he just needed to apply himself to the task at hand. Paul said, “Mr. DeForest had a huge, positive impact on my development and growth in high school. He really helped me understand that only you can create your own opportunity and achieve success.” Jeff Houghton, his baseball coach, also helped keep him on the straight and narrow while in high school. In his quest for a college that would match his passions, Paul looked for four things ‐ one that had a professional pilot training program, baseball, a Sporting Clays Shooting team, and engineering (suggested by his father who said you can always get a job in engineering). His search brought him to Purdue University, where he started out in Computer Science, then transferred into the Engineering School. He gave up on some of his passions, but chose a career that has served him well. “Sometimes you have to be willing to choose between the things you love most in order to focus on one,” commented Paul. Paul credits Mr. DeForest for preparing him for college,

teaching him about managing his time, and thinking about the consequences of various decisions (risk management per se). While business in a small town is competitive, Paul’s major focus is on the lifestyle that Vermont offers. It is a safe, healthy place to raise his young family. Paul commented, “If you want to be in a desirable place, you have to live with the challenges and make it work. It’s not always easy,” he continued, “but definitely worth it in the long run. Vermont has some great programs for new, start‐up businesses and you can also make it on your own with perseverance and hard work.” The family business has evolved over the years with its roots in engineering consulting that morphed into resort property management, home maintenance, real estate sales, and rentals. TPW makes it easy for vacation homeowners to come to Vermont and leave the worries of a second home or condominium to them, as evidenced by their business tag line, “Go play. Leave the work to us.” The business employs eighty, including his sister, Amy Carroccio McNeil ’92, who heads up the financial end of the business. In addition, thirty real estate agents are associated with TPW. Their portfolio mainly encompasses southern Vermont and the business has been named as one of the “Best Places to Work” in Vermont several times. Paul will be receiving the “Above and Beyond Award” from the Vermont State Chamber of Commerce in December. He also has served as president of the Burr and Burton Alumni Association Executive Board and has been involved in creating and leading the Manchester Business Association. All in all, Paul is happy with his decision to make it in the 802. He sees a great opportunity for more students to think entrepreneurially, and to get involved in the trades, resort management, and the food service industry. There is a real demand building in this part of Vermont for these jobs, which can pay quite well. Paul highly recommends that students consider staying here in Vermont because it’s a great place to live, work, and play. o