Rocco Bove and Kristen McDermott of Summit Facility Solutions, a NYC-based facilities maintenance and management firm, experienced a powerful example of how quickly and meaningfully the NY Alliance can transform an opportunity.
Summit had previously bid on a contract for a property management firm and lost. The company struggled even to secure an introductory call. But during a conversation between Rocco , Kristen and other Alliance members, the property management company’s name surfaced again, and that’s when Greg Fortino stepped in.
Recognizing the moment, Greg mentioned that he had a relationship with this particular company and immediately offered to help. He followed through with a warm email introduction, leveraging the trust and credibility he had built with them over time.
What happened next illustrates the strength of Alliance relationships. The property management company agreed to an introductory call, something Summit had been unable to obtain during the original bid. When the call began, the property management company made it clear that formal introductions were barely necessary; Summit came highly recommended by Greg and his company. They informed Summit they would be included in the portfolio-wide rebid, which was recently prompted by new NYC sanitation regulations.
From there, the process moved quickly. The timing was perfect, and the value of Greg’s introduction was immediate. Summit was added to the bid that very week and ultimately won the contract, valued at approximately $250,000.
The Results
The transformation was dramatic: Summit went from being just another blind bidder to becoming a top contender and almost a guaranteed choice solely because of the weight carried by Greg Fortino’s reputation and recommendation.
This story speaks for itself. It is a testament to the “power of the room” where a simple connection from a trusted member can reshape outcomes, open doors previously closed, and turn a missed opportunity into a major win.