Professional Profile: Thomas LaBelle 2020

Thomas LaBelle

Name: Thomas LaBelle

Title: VP/Chief Appraiser

Company: NBT Bank, N.A.

Location: Norwich, NY

Birthplace: Schenectady, NY

Education: Colgate University

First job: The Wadsworth Laboratory, Albany, New York

First job in real estate or allied field: Appraiser, Armstrong Appraisals Inc. 

What do you do now and what are you planning for the future: Currently, I oversee the commercial and residential appraisal and evaluation programs at a $9.7 billion regional lender which keeps me busy. Future plans include a beachside condominium in a subtropical climate.

How do you unwind from a busy day? I bagpipe–yep–10 years with the Schenectady Pipe Band. I play piano, too, thanks to Stan Hummel.

Favorite book or author: Currently reading Jon Meacham’s “The Hope of Glory” but favorite has to be Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town.”

Favorite movie: “Peggy Sue Got Married”– who wouldn’t give anything to spend an evening with their grandparents again?

Last song/album downloaded? “Strauss Four Last Songs” by Jessye Norman

Last Concert attended? The Piano Guys at Saratoga Performing Arts Center – and I was in the performance!

One word to describe your work environment: Eureka

Rules to live by in business: Be a good listener and negotiator; work hard–and smart; share your experience and knowledge with the underclassmen

If you could invite one person to dinner (living or dead, but not related to you) who would it be and where would you go? Jonas Salk and we would have to have dinner at Martha Argerich’s New York apartment

Your DREAM job? (something other than your current job) Part-time forest fire lookout in the high peaks of the Adirondack Mountains--but since there aren’t too many of those jobs left, any job at St. Andrews Old Course that’ll pay the rent would do