Ted Swaldo

Founder, Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa

Education: Tri State College

What I Look for in a Leader: A good leader must practice my five C’s: Competent — through education and/or experience; Communicator — they must be able to share their ideas and plans with others efficiently; Committed — must be fully involved in what they are doing; Confident — they must not be afraid to fail; Caring — they need to care about their family, the company and its products, our customers and their fellow workers.

What Motivates Me Right Now: Watching my children and grandchildren grow and take on more responsibilities. They are doing a better job than me! 

What Would Surprise Someone to Learn About Me: I have no musical ability but was able to develop one of the best Drum & Bugle Corps in the world, which has been world champion twice in last five years.

An Important Lesson I Learned: Things are never as good as they may seem or as bad as they seem. I always take the middle-of-the-road approach.

If I Could Star in a TV Show or Movie: It would be a movie about automobile racing, and I would be the championship driver.