John Caputo

Yardi

By Leah Etling on Apr 24, 2012 in People

John Caputo has a life mantra that encapsulates his multi-tasking, many faceted work personality. It’s “those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it!”

A medal-worthy multi-tasker, John is a talented IT professional with a big heart, diverse job history, and amazing love for his family.  He recently ran his first 5K to benefit his children’s school and takes care of all the IT needs for Yardi’s offices in Glen Head, N.Y., as well as for the New York-based Property Shark, Multi-Housing News and Commercial Property Executive teams.

Before finding his calling as an IT professional, John held a variety of jobs of all kinds. He managed a Manhattan pizzeria, delivered auto parts while attending trade school, worked in a bank and was a DJ.

But the worst gig he ever had was working for his dad’s garbage company in Brooklyn. The work day began at 8 p.m. and ended at 2 a.m., the neighborhood was rough and the garbage – well, you can imagine.

“It was a bad section of town, and I’m not even going to go into detail about what we picked up,” he recalled. But he stuck it out for four years, when his father sold the company and encouraged his son to pursue a professional job. John had tinkered around with computers since his teen years, and heard about a networking education program that led to his current career.

At work, everyone knows John as the guy who can fix everything – and we’re not just talking about computers. He gets asked to work on iPhones and cars, too. And the requests don’t end after he leaves the office; his neighbors rely on John for IT support as well. He tries to accommodate every request that’s reasonably within his skill set.

What does he like best about his job? Problem solving.

“It’s the satisfaction of actually fixing people’s problems and seeing that sigh of relief at the end when you’re all finished,” he said.

John and his wife Janine met on the dance floor.  She managed a dance studio and he was recruited by a friend to join a tap and jazz troupe. Never one to say no to his friends, he gave it a try despite some apprehensions and discovered a love of performing. When he and Janine married, they performed with the group in the middle of Walt Disney World in Florida – on their honeymoon.

They have three children, Juliana, 13, Robby, 10, and Michela, 4. Robby and Michela both suffer from seizure disorders and are unable to walk or speak. John’s recent run benefited the Hagedorn Little Village School, a special needs school that has been a tremendous resource for the Caputo family.

A longtime cyclist and walker, John had never done a competitive running event before. He trained and finished the race, the Sleepy Hollow 5K Charity Run in Massapequa Park, but was most moved by the families like his that came out to support the participants.

“There were parents and grandparents affiliated with children at the school who came out, and I can’t even really describe it but to have people cheering for you as you are running was really uplifting and special. I thought: this is why I‘m running, and this is who I’m running for.” John also volunteers with his local Habitat for Humanity organization.

His oldest daughter, Juliana, hopes to run with him in next year’s event. She’s a talented student, reader and musical theater actress who constantly impresses her dad by the way she interacts with her siblings.

“She’s their world. I’ve seen it with other families like ours – it’s absolutely amazing, the brothers and sisters of these kids, and the love that pours out of them. (Robbie) looks at her like she is the sun and stars. My oldest daughter is my saving grace.” Don’t miss the touching essay that Juliana wrote about her little brother, featured in the photos below.

Learn more about John:

What is your favorite type of music?

I am very eclectic when it comes to music so really anything from classical to dance to heavy metal.

What is your favorite book of all time and (optional: why)?

I would have to say that I am a true nerd, and with that, I would say that the Lord of the Rings trilogy has to be my all time favorite (second only to the Potter series).  I’ve always been interested in fantasy/adventure type novels and these books say so much about life.  My favorite part in this series is towards the end of the story, the newly anointed King is speaking to the hobbits and they bow to him and he tells them that “you shall bow to no man,” and everyone stops and bows toward the hobbits…  the meek shall inherit the earth.

If you have an hour of free time to spare, what do you do with it?

Mostly fix things at home (not according to my wife – LOL) as I live in an 80 year old house.

What kinds of food do you like?

I am Italian so I love to cook.  I do favor (spoiler alert) Italian food but I am now a weight watchers member so I have to find new healthy recipes without lots of bread and pasta

Where is the most interesting place you’ve ever traveled?

Since I haven’t gone outside of the US, I would have to say California.  The climate and the people are so much different than anything I’m used to here at home or that I’ve seen in my many trips down the Eastern seaboard.

What do you like best about your job?

I like that I get to make people’s jobs easier (most of the time).

If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or historical, who would it be?

I would have to say Franklin D. Roosevelt.  His “never say die” spirit in the face of physical adversity and a debilitating disease is very inspiring to me.

What are the words you live by?

Keep moving forward and never give up!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a father that my children can look up to, and back on, and say – he is/was a great dad.

Do you speak any other languages, and which ones?

I speak a bit of Italian (once again – shocker) and a bit of Spanish, but nothing fluently (as the Italian waitress in Via Napoli in Epcot can attest!)

If you could own one piece of famous art, sculpture, memorabilia or historic artifact, what would the item be?

I’m not much of a collector but, if I had a choice of anything, I would say Walt Disney’s diary.

What are some things on your bucket list?

I would love to go to Lourdes, France with my family and take at least one trip to England as well.

What was your last Do It Yourself project?

Painting the room downstairs to make my oldest daughter her own bedroom.

What athlete or sports figure do you most admire?

Bethany Hamilton – she does what she loves (surfing) despite having one arm.

What online sites do you visit?

Aside from the tech sites like lockergnome.com and gizmodo.com, I’m mostly on Facebook and some entertainment blog sites.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?

To heal seriously ill children instantly.

What’s something about you that few people know?

I played classical piano as a child.