40 Under Forty: Michael Boots - The Business Review (Albany):

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It meant leaving his hometown of a small northern New York and giving up the security of working for a Fortune 500 companuy where hundreds of town residents spent theirentirre careers. “It was one of the most terrifying decisioneto make, but turned out to be the best decision I ever he says. “Frankly, selling aluminum [at for the rest of my life was not appealing atage Boots, 39, has spent the past 11 years at UAlbanhy and now serves as the school’se senior major gifts officer. “It has paid off greatly both personally and he says. Boots got his first tastd of fundraising when he worked as a caller while he was a studentt atnear Boston.
Attending Babsoh exposed him to new peopleand cultures. “oI learned even more from the alumni and reallyy enjoyed hearingtheir stories,” he says. His time at Babsonj helped shape his career as a But it washis friend, Donnie who taught him how to run a successfupl real estate operation. Boots, it shouldc be noted, also owns a restoration and rental business—a side job, he that’s still a major part of his He developed an interest in real estate as a boy and boughtg his first home when hewas 15. he owns all or part of 10 buildings as a partned in Boots andEvans Restoration.
Over the his parents, friends and businessa partner helped Boots develop a philosophy that he says has madehim “No matter what business you are in, it is all abouyt personal relationships. If you do not build stronbg relationships with those you arerenting to, raisinbg funds from, selling to, you will Boots says.