Vinny Testaverde may be tossing passes to receivers in the Lone Star state as quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, but at heart he's still a New Yorker. "He's definitely going to live here in Long Island the rest of his life," says Anthony Quaranta, president of CF Group, a marketing and print company in Hauppauge, N.Y.
These aren't just the words of a fan of the 18-year NFL veteran, who played for the New York Jets from 1998-2003. Quaranta was 18 when he became friends with Testaverde, whom he always has called "Vincent." Two years ago the quarterback joined CF Group as a director. "We think Vincent can be a big player in this company in years to come," says Quaranta. "He has keen business acumen, and has been very successful in business opportunities outside of football, with his wife Mitzi as his partner. Mitzi takes care of all the day to day business issues, while being a full-time mom to her three children."
Quaranta says he's seen that "being the wife of an NFL quarterback is demanding, but Mitzi takes care of things most of the year when Vincent is unavailable. Vincent is lucky to have a woman who can juggle so many responsibilities, be a great mom, an active member to many charitable organizations and still look as good as she did in her 1990 cheerleading days!"
The Testaverdes are "diverse investors," Quaranta says, and upon their relocation to New York in 2000, they approached him about a real estate opportunity. The two friends bought a building in a high-visibility industrial park. CF Group moved into 27,000 square feet of office space, and two other companies sublet space in the building. "Vincent saw the building and said we should buy it," recalls Quaranta, who had looked at nearly 100 buildings to relocate his company. "The building was really a wreck," but Quaranta says Testaverde's instincts were correct: Nearby buildings in the industrial park have doubled in value since CF Group moved in.
After partnering on the building purchase, Quaranta offered Testaverde a position as director of CF Group. "I never intended this to happen," says Quaranta. "My business relationship with Vincent came out of our friendship." And the friendship developed through family ties. Quaranta is close with Testaverde's oldest sister Elaina and her husband Frankie Lovaglio. Elaina works part-time in accounting for CF Group. "It's an Italian traditional value," says Quaranta. "When you're friends with someone, their family is your family."
Testaverde's name recognition is an asset to CF Group. "The biggest thing Vincent can do is open doors," says Quaranta. "He gets people's attention." Quaranta says his company has "absolutely gotten business" because Testaverde is on board. The pro quarterback is involved in other businesses, some of which now buy from CF Group. These include an international restaurant chain that purchases all of its printed products, such as guest checks, menus and matches, from the company.
Having a high-profile business partner presents challenges, too. "There are people who want to meet me just to get close to Vincent," says Quaranta. And there are people with less than honorable motives. Quaranta spent 20 years in business without encountering a lawsuit; he's faced two frivolous lawsuits since Testaverde joined CF Group. "People are aware of his financial status and think we might be an easy target, so they come after me," says Quaranta.
But these are minor hassles compared to Testaverde's positive contributions, particularly in the charitable realm. Last year, CF Group founded a not-for-profit group called Business For Youth (www.businessforyouth.org). Companies that join the corporate program agree to earmark a percentage of revenue generated through transactions with one another to non-profit organizations benefiting young people. Business For Youth also presents the Deacon Arnold Awards, named in honor of Quaranta's late father, to young people who are "positive forces in their communities."
Testaverde is the national spokesperson for Business For Youth. "We try to keep Vincent in the arena he likes best," says Quaranta. "He likes working with children." While Testaverde is busy wearing No. 16 for the Cowboys this season, he isn't just a figurehead with CF Group. "When he retires from football, he'll be a definite asset to us," says Quaranta, who adds that Testaverde will go on sales calls. "He's very polished and good around people. He's a complete professional."
—Susan Keen Flynn
Former New York Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde poses with his family (from left) Madeleine, 2, Alicia, 12, Vincent Jr., 7 and wife Mitzi (right) after being introduced as a member of the Dallas Cowboys on June 3, 2004, in Irving, Texas.
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
