Marty Stallone

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In the time since joining Metropolitan Development Group as executive vice president of land development, Marty Stallone has been a principal reason behind the broad-based land development company’s continued success and expansion. Specializing in a wide variety of development project ranging from single-family residential properties to commercial and industrial properties, MDG has rightly earned it reputation as one of the most outstanding and versatile land development companies in the industry.

Previously serving in professional roles with Hamilton Consulting and Meridian Capital Markets before taking his current position as MDG’s executive vice president of land development, Mr. Stallone has effectively leveraged his unique professional background and Ivy League education to guide the decision-making process that has led to such immense success that MDG’s development footprint is readily apparent in counties throughout Eastern Pennsylvania.

Working out of the company’s principal offices, Mr. Stallone has made a point to visit MDG’s many ongoing development projects on a regular basis and frequently travels abroad in an effort to better serve MDG clients wherever they happen to be. This level of commitment is part of the reason why clients value the company’s services to such a significant degree, but Mr. Stallone would surely be quick to note that it is the effectiveness of MDG’s services that will always define the company’s success.

Mr. Stallone, a graduate of Cornell University and a National Merit Scholar, has been recognized for his exceptional professional insight in a number of ways, including through the constant requests for appearances at conferences and seminars relating to the many subjects falling within his vast area of expertise. Despite a busy schedule that includes frequent travel requirements, Mr. Stallone has worked diligently to share his knowledge as often as possible by regularly accepting these speaking engagements.

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

The opportunity to learn something new or unexpected is certainly among my favorite things, and I always feel energized when I arrive and again when I depart, especially when it is a particularly enjoyable destination.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

It’s a lifestyle due to my professional responsibilities, and the increased frequency really began after I started in my role with MDG as executive vice president of land development.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

I’ve been to quite a few beautiful locations over the years, but I was truly surprised by how stunning Vancouver, British Columbia is regardless of the season.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

I tend to travel throughout the Northeast — and especially Eastern Pennsylvania — so I like to maintain enough schedule flexibility that I can spontaneously depart from any location if the circumstances are ideal for doing so. This is why I rarely have plans made well in advance for travel outside of the Northeast.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

Spontaneous travel is not necessarily ideal for everyone, and the same is true of advance or well-planned travel, so I’d advise a new traveler to consider their individual personality traits in order to determine what style best suits their unique needs.

Where would you like to go?

Portugal is a country that has always intrigued me as a destination, but I haven’t had the opportunity to visit just yet.

Where would you like to revisit?

Australia is a favorite destination of mine, and I’m looking forward to the next opportunity in which I can visit for an extended period of time.

Do you travel alone? Why?

I don’t have a preference either way, as it typically depends on the individual situation.

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

If I could pick the three best places to visit, I’d pick Sydney, Australia, Dublin, Ireland, and Galicia, Spain.

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

I always strive to pack light, but sometimes it is just not possible to do so. My preference, however, is to travel as light as possible.

Mahwish Ahmed

Mahwish Ahmed

 

Currently living in Irvine California, Mahwish Ahmed is passionate about life and living life to the fullest.  She enjoys picnics during spring and summer with friends and family and traveling around the world when time allows.  She loves learning about each city’s or country’s culture by experiencing the food, learning the language and spending time with the locals.  She stores ticket stubs, bus tickets, pamphlets, receipts, and postcards to capture the key moments of the trip in a memory box.  She has Thailand, Singapore, Australia and Africa as countries on her bucket list.

Tell us about a favorite trip you’ve taken.

In the beginning of this year, I traveled to Europe for 6 weeks during the winter season with a few friends.  Our first stop was to The Netherlands where I spent most of my time.  It was the first time where I had seen so many bicycles riding alongside cars.

Over the weekends, we traveled to the neighboring countries like Belgium where we explored the Town Hall, St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral and other landmarks.  Most of the weekend in Brussels was spent trying different varieties of waffles, chocolates, and fries.

While Brussels weekend trip was all about sweets, my weekend trip to Paris was focused around shopping not only for myself but family and friends. The best part about Paris was watching the Eiffel Tower light show which was magical because it illuminated the skies.

I went off on my own to London for four days to meet up with my family during my trip where I met my extended family that I had never met before.  It gave me an opportunity to learn further about my heritage and meet my distant cousins, aunts, and uncles. I explored the city which had changed tremendously since my last visit fifteen years ago.

The  last country on the agenda was Switzerland.  I spent 2 days exploring a small town called Schaffhausen and Zurich.  Schaffhausen is a magnificent city with many building from the Renaissance era and home to the largest waterfall in Europe, the Rheinfalls.

Exploring various towns, cities, and cultures across 4 different countries in 6 weeks is a memorable trip and the best one yet.

What attracted you to visit Europe?

I had planning a trip to Europe since college because it is a continent which has an amazing culture, history, fabulous food and relaxing atmosphere.  From a chic trip to Paris with some of the best shopping and cuisines available, to world’s largest flower garden (Keukenhof) in the Netherlands, magnificent architecture found in Brussels, and visit to one of the most powerful cities- London, I was able to visit so many people and countries that are close to each other yet very different in traditions and cultures.

When did you travel there and who did you go with?

I traveled in the beginning of 2016 in the winter months and went with a few friends from the United States.

Please share your memories from the trip.

There are many memorable moments from the trip.  During the first week in the Netherlands, my friends decided to book a trip to Paris leaving Saturday morning at 7:15 am by train.  On Friday evening prior to our departure, we had a late dinner and I slept past my alarm in the morning.  When I woke up, I had 30 minutes to pack and walk over to the train station which I had never visited before.  I panicked. Quickly packed and ran to the train station while on the phone with the rest of the group.  I made it just before the doors to my train were closing.

During that same adventurous weekend in Paris, France we bought the weekend pass to travel unlimited by train.  At one of the train stations, two of my friends could not swipe their train ticket and kept on getting an error message.  They pressed the help button to talk to someone to explain the situation but the person on the other side spoke in French and hung up.  We were all puzzled, called him again and he said something in French and hung up.  So, I pressed the help button again and in a loud and firm tone, said, “ticket not working”.  As soon as I said that, he buzzed us in through the gate.  We all laughed and in subsequent situations, we applied the ticket not working strategy.

During the second week in the Netherlands, while driving to a restaurant in the evening for dinner, my friend and I both lost internet connection on our phones (where we both had international data package).  We heavily relied on Apps for navigation but had to stop and ask people for the directions but it was difficult as most of the people did not understand English.  It looks us some extra time but we finally made it to the restaurant.  Lesson learned was to have paper maps as a backup.

What other places have you visited?

I have visited Germany while driving from Switzerland to Germany. Within the United States, I have visited all major metropolitan cities along the east coast and west coast.  I have been to New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C, Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, and Dallas.

What advice would you give to a first-time traveler?

Be open to trying the local foods and asking the locals about things to do.  I do not rely on websites and travel guides on places to visit but always ask the hotel concierge or locals at a restaurant or a grocery store about the sites to see and foods to try.  You not only get to interact with the locals and learn their culture but find out about the top secret spots and best foods to eat.  Also, I would recommend downloading a translating app, like google translate, on your phone.  It definitely helps with signs, menus, and brochures while traveling and is very easy to use.

Ian Filippini

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As president of Filippini Wealth Management, Ian Filippini is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the financial planning and wealth management firm’s operations, particularly as it relates to the development and implementation of specific strategies for delivering consistently exceptional outcomes for clients. Located in Montecito (Santa Barbara) and Westlake Village, California, Filippini Wealth Management has enjoyed tremendous growth under Filippini’s leadership and has earned a reputation for providing a truly comprehensive approach to wealth management.

Mr. Filippini currently resides in Santa Barbara, California, a central coast city whose Spanish colonial heritage is readily apparent and strikingly framed by the Santa Ynez Mountain Range. Given his history of travel to destinations throughout the world, it should come as little surprise that Mr. Filippini elected to put down roots in the Santa Barbara area. With a Mediterranean climate and an atmosphere that is both cultured and bohemian all at once, Santa Barbara possesses many of the qualities Mr. Filippini seeks in a vacation destination.

Since starting as president of Filippini Wealth Management, Mr. Filippini has found it necessary to incorporate business into his regular travels abroad due to the insight and expertise regarding the innovative strategies utilized by his wealth management and financial advisement firm. Mr. Filippini has expressed a willingness to share these strategies with his industry peers — even those in direct competition with Filippini Wealth Management — out of a simple desire to act in the service of what he perceives as the greater societal good.

With years of experience as the president of Filippini Wealth Management, Mr. Filippini has built a company that has quickly grown into a respected and innovative firm. Mr. Filippini attributes the company’s success to its simple focus on providing client-centered services that cover all aspects of one’s financial life.

1. What is your favorite thing about traveling?

There is something about a change in scenery that is so energizing, and I certainly enjoy the opportunity to exchange ideas and principles with my peers in the field during my regular travels abroad for business

2. Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

Traveling is something I enjoy as though it were a hobby but pursue as though it were a lifestyle, and my passion for travel began many years ago with a trip to Sweden.

3. What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

The British Virgin Islands possess a remarkable and pervasive beauty.

4. Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

I have a few brief business trips planned that will take me through the Pacific Northwest of both the US and Canada, but I don’t have any vacation travel planned for the next few months.

5. What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

I travel for both business and recreational reasons, so I have found that I derive greater joy and meaning from a trip if I begin by defining a specific purpose for the trip right from the outset.

6. Where would you like to go?

I’ve been curious about various countries recently, so I think I’d like to head to Switzerland, Italy, and Norway sometime soon.

7. Where would you like to revisit?

I’d love to return to Sweden within the next year or two.

8. Do you travel alone? Why?

I tend to travel alone because I like to maintain the flexibility to act spontaneously during a trip, but I still enjoy traveling with groups large or small.

9. If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

In no particular order, I’d pick the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Sweden.

10. Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

Traveling light is the most convenient way to travel and, in my opinion, it ensures that you never neglect any critical travel necessities when going from location to location.