Richard Manzer is brand new to Union – his first day as mailroom supervisor was March 16. He’s looking forward to getting to know everyone, and to being part of this “friendly and welcoming” campus.
Manzer was born and raised in North Troy, N.Y., and has lived in the Village of Colonie since 1996. Prior to joining Union, he spent eight years in copier and mailing equipment/solutions, sales and service with Metroland Business Machines in Colonie.
Richard Manzer
Active in his community, he has served on the Capital Region Postal Customer Council Board of Directors since 2004. He also spent three years in the Army Reserve and was a volunteer firefighter for 20 years, spending two as department chief.
“Serving as a firefighter in Pleasantdale was a great experience,” he said. “I had an opportunity to learn and see many, many things. It’s a small community and everyone helps each other. I wanted to do my part to help others and serve my community.”
Outside of work, Manzer is an avid golfer, runner and bowler.
“I’ve been bowling full-time now for 46 years. Besides the occasional good score, I really enjoy the camaraderie during my leagues and tournaments,” he said, adding that the most exciting thing he’s ever done is “probably bowling back-to-back perfect games and getting a hole-in-one in golf.”
Manzer, whose favorite restaurant is the Barnsider in Colonie, is a frequent visitor to Las Vegas – he really enjoys the weather there. He loves alternative 80s music (think Tears for Fears, REM and Depeche Mode) and has been married to his wife, Lisa, for 30 years. They share a daughter, CarolAnne, and two rescue dogs named Buddy and Maya.
FIRST APP YOU LOOK AT IN THE MORNING: YouTube
WHAT ARE YOU READING? "Big Whiskey". It’s a great book on the birth of whiskey, bourbon and the rebirth of rye in America.
WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING? “The Pitt.” It has a very fast work environment and great storytelling.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU RECEIVED: Work hard, stay humble.
ONE SKILL YOU WISH YOU HAD: Wrapping holiday gifts.
THREE DINNER PARTY GUESTS (living or deceased): Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and Tiger Woods. Lincoln preserved the Union, issued the Emancipation Proclamation and he loved to tell stories! Kennedy had a vision for a “New Frontier,” the creation of the Peace Corps and navigating the Cuban Missile Crisis. And Woods has amazing mental toughness and resilience.
LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT YOU: I am a member of two bowling halls-of-fame.
FAVORITE UNION MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: I’ve just joined Union, but first impressions: Everyone is very friendly and welcoming.
ONE THING YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT: Music. It is great for social bonding and it’s a great conversation starter.
WHICH LIVING PERSON DO YOU MOST ADMIRE? Our daughter. She is pursuing her acting career and moved to NYC. CarolAnne did drama theater locally for a couple of years and was cast as an extra in a Hollywood horror movie last February. She is a very hard worker and a great person.