A Walk with Tony Fenno After 20 Years

Dialogue Miles

Jul 8

Tony Fenno and I met during my tenure at Standard Register. There were many connections that we reflected upon: growth opportunities, manufacturing companies, Ohio as a platform, and collective success.

Almost 20 years after that first meeting, we reconnected at The Boathouse, located on the Ohio River in Cincinnati, at Montgomery Inn.

As I was approaching the meeting spot, Tony asked whether I was near the pickleball courts, which didn’t exist when we first met. That moment alone said a lot.

We covered 4 miles for Dialogue Miles™, ending with a cold beverage. So many meaningful insights surfaced along the way.

Reflections from the Walk

Luck and grit.
Kids from Worcester and West Virginia don’t always have the plan figured out.
Advice for kids.
Relevance matters. Before responding, maybe the first step is asking a better question.
The empty calendar test.
If your calendar were empty tomorrow and you had nothing to do, who would you call first?
The slope of the career line.
Some people get lucky and the line points straight to the stars. Most have an overall positive slope—with moments that dip along the way.
Hidden impact.
As we age, we often miss the true impact of our words and simple actions. Future generations may look back and wonder how things came to be.
A little laughter.
We’re taught in business that every interaction is a potential opportunity. That may be true—but don’t forget to laugh.