Home: Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Age: 59. Birthplace: Brooklyn, NY. Profession: Business executive. Organization: Empire Workforce Solutions; Empire Aviation USA; Title: President (Workforce); Chairman (Aviation). Pronouns: He/Him/His. Significant other: Cristiani Kidan. Alma mater: The George Washington University; Brooklyn Law School.
Current project: Growing Empire Aviation USA. Recent recognition: Forbes article about the aviation company. Recent professional development: Growing Aviation as depicted in the Forbes article. Latest accomplishment: Growing Aviation from scratch to one of the large maintenance companies in the USA in one year. Latest contribution to others: Second chance programs. Helping others get back into the workforce after a set back. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Starting businesses from scratch to being top 100 largest in the world for staffing. Hobbies: Boating, travel. Recent travel or adventure: Spending time in Europe with my daughter (France, Spain, Austria and Czech Republic). Last book read: The Collector, by Daniel Silva. Recently viewed and recommended: Oppenheimer.
Personality profile: Driven, decisive, focused, approachable, witty. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Driven. Moral compass: My Brooklyn moral compass is the best; I always trust it. How do you define a perfect friendship? Never having to second guess anything and being yourself. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Trust, respect, comfort. What is your greatest joy? My daughter Sloane. What is your greatest fear? Failure. What is your guilty pleasure? Great restaurants and good wine. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Get it done now. No need to touch it twice. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Teachers and first responders. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Great Napa cabernets. What is at the top of your bucket list? More travel. How do you relieve stress? Go for a drive or ride on the water. What is your go-to workout? Walking. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? A great hotel in a fun and interesting location with great restaurants and a beach or something cultural.
What was your first paying job? Boating counselor at a summer camp. What was your favorite college course? Intro to Business, which woke me up to the world of being an entrepreneur. Too bad it was last semester. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Matchbox cars. What book have you repeatedly read? Gold Coast, by Nelson DeMille. What movie have you repeatedly watched? The Godfather. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? The Buck Stops Here.
Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life?
My grandmother, the strongest and most determined person I ever met. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Keep moving forward no matter what.
What’s the best advice you received in your career? Take in each step and learn from it. No shortcuts. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? E-mail. What is your favorite app? Truth Social. What is your go-to source of news and information? The Wall Street Journal. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Instagram and business publications. What company or organization do you most admire? Marriott. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? The Covid pandemic. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? The death of my mother at a very young age.
What is your big idea? Organization skills. What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Greater efficiencies. What change would you like to see in the world? Respect. What message do you want to send out into the world? Treat all the way you want to be treated. What widely held belief do you reject? Respect authority. What mega-trend most concerns you? AI.
Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Thomas Jefferson. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? President of Eastern Airlines. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Photos. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my family, eating great food and making sure they knew how much I love them. What advice would you give your younger self? No shortcuts. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The day I married my amazing wife. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My thirties.
Personal mission: Being a good person and leaving a loving legacy to my family. Personal motto: Enjoy every moment. Favorite quote: “Never surrender” (Winston Churchill). Desired epitaph: If you only have one life to live and it was mine, it was enough.
