Home: Upper Brookville, NY. Profession: Family office (investments). Organization: Falcon Global Partners LLC. Title: Partner. Significant other: My wife, Bobbie. Alma mater: Hofstra University (BBA); Fordham University (MBA). Languages spoken: English, working knowledge of Spanish and Maltese.
Latest contribution to others: Mentoring the son of a work colleague and helping with his ability to decide on his career path within the financial industry. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Leaving the sell side to make the move to the buy side. Hobbies: Reading biographies and history, traveling (Middle East, Asia), golfing. Recent travel or adventure: Dubai and Abu Dhabi on a trip for the Arqaam Capital MENA Conference. Last book read: Shoe Dog, a memoir by Nike co-founder Phil Knight. Recently viewed and recommended: Succession (HBO). Recent unique acquisition: A first edition copy of The Count of Monte Cristo.
Personality profile: Good sense of humor, decisive, effective leader. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Loyal. Moral compass: Act in the manner in which I was raised, to do things that will not tarnish your reputation. How do you define a perfect friendship? Even when you do not see that person for an extended period of time, picking up right where you left off. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Mutual trust, loyalty and respect. What is your guilty pleasure? A steakhouse dinner. What is at the top of your bucket list? Seeing all of the Wonders of the World. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Being at or near the water and being close to great food and restaurants.
What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Family photos and old charts of the world. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Charlie Munger. What’s the best advice you received growing up? That to succeed at anything that you do, you need to work harder than everyone else. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Don’t work for the job you want, but do the best possible job at what you are doing. You will be noticed, appreciated and given more and better opportunities. What is your favorite app? Interactive Brokers app. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Reading biographies and listening to podcasts of great leaders and investors. What company or organization do you most admire? DFO Management (formerly MSD Capital), the family office of Michael Dell.
What is your big idea?
You might not be the most intelligent person in the room, but that does not suggest that you cannot be the most successful.
What change would you like to see in the world? More understanding in the world for people who look and act differently. What message do you want to send out into the world? Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth; be kind, not because it’s easy, but because it’s worth it. What mega-trend most excites you? Artificial intelligence, for its increased efficiency, productivity and improved decision making. What mega-trend most concerns you? Artificial intelligence, for its potentially uncontrollable, irreversible and unforeseen consequences.
Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My aunt, who died too young, and my grandparents. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A professional football player, then a lawyer. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Family photos and heirlooms. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my wife and two children, having an amazing day outside, enjoying family and friends. What advice would you give your younger self? Invest in your education and the care of your body; there are times to be focused on work and times to be focused on fun. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The birth of my twin children. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My high school years. I would be more serious and focused on academics.
Personal mission: To build strong, meaningful relationships with my family and friends, constantly seeking knowledge and personal growth. Personal motto: Mistakes are often the greatest teachers; Carpe Diem (seize the day). Favorite quote: “The secret of getting ahead is getting started” (Mark Twain). Desired epitaph: Dedicated to his family, loved and missed by all. Traveled the world with work that he loved.
