Get to know Martha Fetter, assistant vice president, Travelers, Hartford, Conn.
1. If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you be?
That’s easy: I’d be up at our lake in Maine. I grew up there, and there is absolutely no better place in the world!
2. What’s playing on your iPod?
I have quite a mix of just about everything: U2, The Heavy, Santana, Norah Jones, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughan, Lifehouse, and even Katy Perry!
3. It’s time for a second career. What do you choose?
Novelist or minister
4. What is your hidden talent?
Grace under pressure
5. What’s your top travel tip?
I’m a light packer; take only what you absolutely need.
6. What’s always in your refrigerator?
Ha ha ha … my family would say that I “always have nothing in my refrigerator.”
7. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
I’ve just finished The Help, by Kathryn Stockett, and I’m currently reading Freedom, by Jonathan Franzen.
8. What is your favorite quote or saying?
I think you’re probably asking me for a quote or saying that I’ve read somewhere, but instead, I’ll give you what I take out of my pocket as different circumstances arise:
“Oh, well.” (when something happens that I can’t do anything about)
“It will only hurt for a little while.” (when giving someone an answer they may not like—think teenagers)
“Keep calm and carry on.” (when I’m at the end of my rope…)
9. Who inspires you?
Tough question. We all find inspiration in so many different ways, not just the “who” with people that touch our lives, but I believe it’s more about the intangibles: the beauty in nature, music, works of art, being quiet—even in our experiences and memories. My husband is a commercial photographer: That in itself doesn’t seem exciting, but he is so passionate about what he does that I love just to watch him at his work. I find that inspiring.
10. What do you do to stay healthy?
I generally leave work at the end of the day and on weekends. I work hard at being careful about what I eat and I try to do some type of exercise every day, which is very difficult with a busy travel schedule. Not a lot of people know this, but I’m a “lifetime member” of Weight Watchers. It is a discipline all its own!