MVP Monday: Damien Marino

MVP Monday is back like it never left! Every Monday we highlight an employee who has been working their tail off to keep this ship moving. As all of our divisions continue to grow, so does the importance of getting products to your doorstep in a safe and timely manner. That’s where this week’s MVP comes in! Meet Damien Marino, a fulfillment specialist here at Dave and Adam’s! As always, we sit down to talk and learn a little more about our MVP!

– What are your interests outside of work?

My kids! I have a 4 year old and a 10 year old; They are my world!

Damien is a real family man! He also borrows his kids’ clothes occasionally for the annual Halloween costume contest, and he’s our reigning champ because of it!

– Do you have any hobbies?

I used to play floor hockey, make music, and collect comics.

What kind of music did you used to play?

I was a hip hop emcee/producer, and fronted a live hip hop group. Active 2000-2013. I played local shows, but not since 2011-12.

Damien truly was an up and comer in the hip hop scene. Unfortunately, you missed your chance to see this man in action 🙁 Maybe he’ll do a reunion tour in the future!

– What are your favorite sports teams and why?

Bills, Sabres, and Yankees; I was born this way!!!

He’s not lying; On the day of his birth, Damien was seen body slamming himself through a mini table! #BillsMafia

What have been your favorite moments as a Bills, Sabres, and Yankees fan?

I’ve seen everything since birth, but being on the 50 yard line and watching the Bills shut out the Patriots was pretty great; also all of the big moments of course. And I wasn’t there, but Jeter’s final game was pretty epic too!!

There’s no better feeling than beating a division rival, let alone shutting them out! Drew Bledsoe really got his revenge in that one. We’re happy you were there to witness that, as it hasn’t happened in quite a while!

– Are you a former/current athlete?

As a youth ha ha. I played ice hockey from 2-4yrs old, little league baseball from 4-16 yrs old, football in high school, and street/floor hockey from 8-25. If I had to choose, street/floor hockey was probably my favorite.

You can’t talk street hockey without bringing up Damien. He’s a street legend around these parts. They actually wanted to use Damien’s image on a new street hockey video game, but this humble man respectfully declined.

– What’s your favorite product that we sell?

Anything comics or memorabilia related!

Do you have a favorite comic that you’ve seen come through DA/HP before?

Incredible Hulk 181 with my 2 favorite characters: “The strongest there is” vs “The best there is”.

“Hulk doesn’t understand. First little man fights hulk… and now he fights Hulk’s enemy? But if Hulk’s enemy is little man’s enemy… then little man is Hulk’s friend!” -The Hulk

Iconic! But who do you got in a fight? The Hulk or Wolverine?

What about memorabilia?

Not the most expensive, but one of the best things I’ve ever seen come through was a score card signed by Babe Ruth from the New York Yankees vs. the Philadelphia Athletics on 08-02-1933!!! INSANE!!!

Anything that touched the Great Bambino’s hands is a crazy piece of history! It’s so awesome that our employees get to witness these products firsthand!

– Do you have any collections of your own?

Some comics, cards, and collectible statues; Nothing crazy!

What’s your favorite comic that you own?

Anything Wolverine and Hulk!!!

What is your most prized part of your collections?

The French Connection autos, the Donny Baseball autographed helmet, and The InFredible Hulk autographed helmet!

No pun intended, but that InFredible Hulk helmet is incredible! One of the hardest working and most underrated players in NFL history!

What’s your favorite movie and why?

Sounds like a cop out but I don’t have one!

Mhm… I got my eyes on you.

-Is there an achievement or contribution that you are most proud of?

In the time I’ve been with D&A I’ve helped move warehouses multiple times, and built a few departments in the warehouses and stores. Outside of my regular jobs throughout the warehouse, knowing I helped D&A literally grow and expand is pretty cool!

Thank you for all of your hard work! I’m unaware if I’d even have an office to write this blog post in if it wasn’t for you!

What makes you enjoy your days at work?

The people I work with, the knowledge and experience I have gained, and being able to touch, see, and care for some amazing things from sports/entertainment/comic history!

We’re glad to hear that you’ve enjoyed your time here for so long! Thank you for being you; we wouldn’t be the same without you!

Thank you for once again joining us for our MVP Monday spotlight! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates on all things Dave and Adam’s!