Home: Garden City, New York. Age: 64. Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York. Profession: Turnaround consulting. Organization: Reorganization Alternatives Group, Ltd. Title: President. Preferred pronouns: He/Him/His. Significant other: Donna (wife). Alma mater: Harvard University, A.B Economics; Columbia University, MBA. Languages spoken: English.
Recent travel or adventure: Volunteer two week entrepreneurship teaching project in Musanze, Rwanda. Last book read: Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done, by Larry Bossidy & Ram Charan.
What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Interesting. Moral compass: Truth. How do you relieve stress? Exercise. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Learning about a new culture, laughter, creating good memories.
What book have you repeatedly read? The Bible. What’s featured prominently on your office wall? Family photos. Who has had the greatest influence on your life? My wife, Donna. What company or organization do you most admire? Amazon. What is the best advice you received growing up? Amongst all else, to thy own self be true. What is the best advice you received in your career? Learn from failure. Move on.
What is your big idea? Use mutual economic interests to resolve disputes, whether within a nation or internationally. What change would you like to see in the world? Less food waste and a resolution of world hunger not by handouts, but by providing enhanced agricultural tools and education. What widely held belief do you reject? It cannot be done. What mega-trend most excites you? Digital education. What mega-trend most concerns you? Income inequality.
Who would you like to spend an evening with, in Heaven? Jesus. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Family and friends party. What advice would you give your younger self? Keep moving forward, regardless of the pace. What period in your life would you do differently if you could? None. Focus on moving forward, not lamenting the past.
Favorite quote: "Our destiny is to go beyond everything, to leave everything, to press forward to the end and find in the end our beginning, the ever-new beginning that has no end" (Thomas Merton). Desired epitaph: Because he lived, the lives of others were enhanced.
