Florida Nu Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon at Florida International University
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/473179
page 5 sigma phi epsilon Steve Mangano '92 F rom growing up in Queens, New York, to starting a family in Raleigh, North Carolina, Steve Mangano '92 says he's seen it all. He and his wife, Sarah, are no strangers when it comes to traveling and take pride in their thirst for adventure. "We spent our honeymoon in India and haven't stopped traveling since," Steve says. "We typically take several trips together each year and a large three-week trip every four years, which has been a great way to see the world plus ensure we have significant time and experiences together. We don't want to wait until we retire to start a list of places we want to see." Like most hospitality majors, Steve is passionate about cooking and drinking wine and makes that an inherent part of who he is, but above all Steve is a proud family man. Together, he and Sarah have shown their children, Adrian (9) and Audrey (6), their love for great outdoor adventures by taking walks and hikes in remote and urban settings. No matter where in the world he is, Steve always makes a conscious effort to stay in touch with SigEp brothers as business partners, through planned holiday gatherings, or just chatting on social media. One of his favorite traditions has been the Thanksgiving event he hosts at his home in Raleigh, which has grown to include more than 40 Florida Nus. Steve attributes much of his growth to the experiences he shared with brothers and says, "The fraternity provided me with a very strong sense of community, giving back, being a leader, taking responsibility, and doing the right thing." For the last 23 years, Steve has enjoyed a diverse career in hospitality, urban revitalization and building communities. Today he works as the regional director of operations for IPC Healthcare after recently selling his practice, which he owned with another SigEp, to IPC. His role was, and continues to be, to run all non- clinical operations for his behavioral health practice. E-mail: sbmangano@gmail.com John Gutenkunst '07 B orn and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, John Gutenkunst '07 took a leap of faith when he decided to move to Miami—nearly 1,500 miles from home to cultivate a blend of easygoing beach living with the bustling city life. He says, "I was filled with excitement and optimism for what I was going to learn both through my education at FIU and through the life experience I was going to obtain." Slow down and savor your time at FIU, John urges brothers, because college is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will be over before you know it. "I had my eye on the future and my career more often than I wish I would have," he admits. "Thankfully I've now learned the life lesson to slow down and enjoy the moment as much as possible—I think some people never truly learn it." John attributes his early career success to the invaluable experience he gleaned as a member of the executive board and, by the age of 25, was promoted to a vice president of HSBC, one of the world's largest banks. After seven wildly successful years in the banking industry, John decided to pick up and move across the country to San Diego, California, where he is starting his own real estate firm focused on flipping properties. In his down time John takes advantage of the west coast lifestyle by staying active with CrossFit, yoga, and surfing. Since living in San Diego he has been especially fond of training like a professional golfer and challenges Florida Nu brothers to a long drive competition. If you're interested in the challenge or ever in the area, send John an e-mail at johngutekunst@gmail.com. Daniel Bertot '16 represented SigEp during his travels in Europe. The fall 2014 Sigma class and their Sigma coordinators enjoy a camping trip in North Carolina.