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Ayman Hariri Biography

Ayman Hariri

Ayman Hariri is a Lebanese billionaire who is most well-known for being the co-founder of Vero, a social network free of data mining and advertisements. He was also the former CEO of Saudi Oger, one of the largest construction companies in Saudi Arabia. He was fully divested from the company in July 2014. He has had a huge interest in technology ever since he was a child, and he’s always looking to solve problems with technology. He values respect and consideration for others, and he believes that is what makes a business successful. His strong passion, combined with his highly respected values, has allowed him to become one of the richest people in the world.

Early Life

Ayman Rafic Hariri was born on May 16, 1978. He is the second-youngest son of business magnate and former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. He has two siblings, Fahd and Hind, and two half-siblings, Bahaa and Saad. Ayman Hariri grew up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and he moved to Paris, France at age 12 to attend school. While in France, Hariri would go to work meetings with his father, who wanted his son to follow in his footsteps. However, Hariri’s passion wasn’t for construction, but rather technology. He would take apart and build PCs in his spare time, which he felt his parents didn’t understand, especially his father. He wanted to forge his own path and not feel bound to a path that was chosen for him.

Ayman Hariri moved to the United States to attend Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. While in college, he was an intern and programmer at Intelsat, a satellite services provider. He originally began as a business major, but after receiving approval from his parents, he switched to computer science. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 1999.

First Projects and Major Tragedy

In 2001, Ayman Hariri co-founded a software platform called Epok with his friend from junior high school, Scott Birnbaum. Epok was mostly intended for enterprises and dealt with data privacy and identity management. Unfortunately, this project was abandoned in 2005 due to a family tragedy. Hariri’s father, Rafic, was assassinated by a suicide bomber on February 14, 2005, in Beirut, Lebanon.

Following this, Ayman returned home to Saudi Arabia to help run his father’s construction company until July 2014. Hariri oversaw the development of King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST), the first mixed-gender university campus in Saudi Arabia. The company was also responsible for the construction of Princess Noura University, the largest women’s university in the world, and the Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh. Hariri left Saudi Oger in 2013 to pursue other projects, and he sold his stake in the company to his brother, Saad. Saudi Oger closed completely in July of 2017.

The Creation of Vero and Investments in Startups

Hariri invested the money he had into Vero, a social media platform free of advertisements and data mining. He and Birnbaum, who had worked together previously on Epok, co-founded the company. Vero allows users to share music, videos, movies, and photos with whoever they want. This was Hariri’s idea. He noticed that other apps let you share either privately or publicly, and he wanted Vero users to be able to make that choice for themselves. Hariri wanted Vero to closely resemble real-world social experiences compared to other social networking services such as Facebook.

The Vero app became available for download in 2015. It was a big success, and in 2018, the app’s servers were struggling to keep pace with the amount of traffic. In 2018, the number of users went from roughly 150,000 users to over 4 million. Vero’s biggest customers include photographers, musicians, cosplayers, and artists.

The Rise of Vero

In 2018, the social media app Vero became one of the most downloaded apps on the App Store. The user count was originally hovering around 150,000 users, but only one week later, the number of users jumped to over 4 million. Vero isn’t a typical social media site; it’s free of data mining, advertisements, and algorithms. Vero attempts to offer a social networking service that closely resembles in-person experiences, and it has succeeded in doing so.

The Founder of Vero

Ayman Hariri grew up with a fascination for technology, often building and disassembling PCs in his spare time to learn about them.

Hariri started a data privacy company in 2001 with his junior high school friend, Scott Birnbaum. In 2005, He created Vero in 2015 alongside Birnbaum, when he noticed he could offer something that other social networks weren’t doing.

What Vero Does Differently

Vero does not use advertisements, and users’ privacy is maintained. Hariri wanted a social media experience where users could decide who would see what they post, which is the opposite of what Facebook and Instagram were offering at the time. Users can share videos, music, movies, and photos with whoever they choose. The name “Vero” was chosen for the company because it means “truth” in Italian.

Hariri noticed his friends on other social media sites were acting differently than they did in real life. He wanted to create a social network that emulated how people behave in the real world, which is through varying degrees of intimacy. Based on how close you are with someone, you can share anything on Vero with either everyone or a select few. Vero’s primary mission is to make their social network truly feel social.

Hariri has ensured that respect and consideration remain key factors in Vero’s appeal. Vero respects all users’ privacy and is more deliberate when it comes to solving problems or developing features.

Vero is currently registered in New York, but all staff work remotely across the world.

Vero Becomes Popular

Many cosplayers, artists, musicians, and photographers quickly took to Vero due to its unique pinch and zoom functionality. Although it didn’t start with as many users as it has today, a major event helped Vero’s popularity surge.

In 2018, the Cambridge Analytica data scandal occurred. In the scandal, users’ information from their Facebook and Instagram accounts was used for political advertising purposes without their consent. Vero took advantage of this and launched an advertising campaign to attract the disgruntled Facebook and Instagram users. This plan proved effective, and millions made the switch to Vero. Vero became the most downloaded app in 18 countries during the week. The rise in popularity was unexpected, and the servers were briefly struggling to maintain the influx of new users.

Hariri’s friend Zack Snyder took an interest in Vero. This also gave the company a boost, as his fans registered for the app and followed his account.

Hariri self-financed Vero through his wealth, and the first one million users had access to the full app for free, with plans to move to a subscription model afterwards. The app also generates revenue through an affiliate program from purchases made through the app.

Vero Today

In December of 2020, Vero 2.0 was launched. It was an update that improved the UI and added new features such as video and voice calls, as well as game and app posts. In October of 2021, Vero launched a desktop app with various posting options to choose from.

At the 2021 Webby Awards, Vero was named an honoree for Best Visual Design in the Aesthetic category.

Vero continues to work on new tools and features, including discoverability capabilities and features that allow creators to build more sustainable careers. Vero is also looking into the potential integration of Web3 technology into the app.

Hariri invests in many startup companies through Red Sea Ventures, including Nest, a smart thermostat now owned by Google. He had a 42% stake in his family’s holding company, GroupeMed, but sold it in 2017 for $535 million.

Hariri’s Mentor and Values

Despite some disagreements early on, Ayman Hariri views his father as his biggest mentor. He continues to be inspired by his values and character. Although he might not have initially understood Ayman’s passion for technology, his father encouraged him to follow his dreams, as that’s where he felt his biggest success would be. Hariri considers himself lucky to have learned business skills from his father, and his approach of staying honest and consistent with all people builds trust. Hariri believes in the people he works with and remains optimistic when working on a project. This business philosophy came from his father, and Hariri continues to live by it today with great success.

The fact that Hariri values respect and consideration for people is a key part of Vero’s success. He respects people’s privacy and wants to be deliberate with his projects to ensure that users stick around longer. He believes this helps to build stronger, more meaningful relationships in the long term. He continues to learn from any mistakes and problems that arise, and always endeavors to improve users’ experiences and maintain strong relationships.

Ayman Hariri Today

Hariri currently lives in Paris, France, and is married with three children. His hobbies include superheroes and comic books, which he collects in his spare time. He has named his comic book collection “The Impossible Collection,” which he put on display at the 2016 premiere of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in London. He is friends with American film director Zack Snyder, who directed Justice League. Hariri is disinterested in politics, given the problems that often arise in that field. However, his brother Saad served as Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia from 2016 to 2020. Hariri continues to work at Vero, and recently put out a desktop version of the app. As of September 2022, his net worth is estimated to be $1.4 billion.

Photo: “ENX_9597” by Web Summit is licensed under CC BY 2.0

David Ehrlich Entertainment Attorney – Biography

Attorney Law Seattle

David M. Ehrlich has led a diverse career in the entertainment industry. Born in Detroit, MI, and raised in New York City, Ehrlich’s early exposure to the vibrant cultural landscape of New York City laid the groundwork for his future endeavors. In Los Angeles, CA, he honed his skills as an attorney representing artists from a wide range of industries.

He is the founder of the New York-based entertainment and media practice law firm David M. Ehrlich & Associates, which offers comprehensive legal services across a wide spectrum of sectors that include music, film, television, fine arts, sports, mobile, gaming, interactive media, and live theater. For more than 20 years, David M. Ehrlich & Associates has presented new and established artists on a variety of transactions and provided legal help and counsel in areas such as contract law, trademark law, A&R, radio, management, press, touring, publishing, and concert promotion. David Ehrlich has represented clients from Seattle, Washington to New York.

Ehrlich’s academic journey began at Cornell University, where he pursued his Bachelor of Science degree He continued his academic pursuits at the esteemed Boston University School of Law, earning his Juris Doctor (JD) degree in 1986, laying a solid foundation for his future legal career. With a deep-seated passion for the law and a keen interest in entertainment, Ehrlich embarked on his professional journey, becoming a member of both the New York and Connecticut bars as he prepared to make his mark in the dynamic world of entertainment law.

Ehrlich’s career trajectory saw him navigate various roles and environments. Each contributed to his growth and expertise in the field. He started his career with Epstein Becker & Green P.C., where he gained invaluable experience in legal practice and honed his skills as an attorney. It was his fascination with entertainment law that propelled him to pursue opportunities in the music industry, leading him to join EMI Records, one of the most renowned record labels in music history. His tenure at EMI Records allowed him to immerse himself in the intricacies of the music business, fostering relationships and gaining insights that would prove invaluable in his future endeavors.

Seeking new challenges and opportunities for growth, Ehrlich made the pivotal decision to relocate to Los Angeles after his time at EMI. This move would mark a significant chapter in his career. In Los Angeles, he joined Myman Abell Fineman Greenspan. At this prestigious entertainment firm, he represented a diverse clientele in film, television, and music, further expanding his first-hand experience and establishing himself as a trusted advisor within the industry.

In 1998, Ehrlich returned to New York, eager to explore new horizons and opportunities. He accepted the position of Vice President and East Coast General Manager with Priority Records, a subsidiary of EMI Music Group, where he played a pivotal role in driving the label’s success on the East Coast. He then joined Universal Records as an A&R Consultant, leveraging his expertise to identify talent and capitalize on emerging trends in the music industry.

Ehrlich’s entrepreneurial spirit and forward-thinking mindset led him to explore new frontiers in the entertainment landscape. He served as content counsel for Zingy, a music collaboration platform, and later as Chief Music Industry Strategist and Counsel for Rednote, which evolved into Audiobyte, a pioneering platform for social media sound-byte sharing. These experiences allowed Ehrlich to stay at the forefront of technological innovation while contributing to projects that would shape the future of the music industry.

Before establishing his own firm, David M. Ehrlich & Associates, Ehrlich enjoyed a successful tenure as an attorney and personal manager, representing Grammy-winning artists and producers such as Nickelback, Wu-Tang Clan, and Prince Paul. He also founded music publishing companies like Infamous Beats Music and Song Collect Music Publishing, showcasing his entrepreneurial acumen and commitment to supporting artists’ creative endeavors.

Ehrlich’s keen eye for talent and his knack for identifying emerging artists have earned him a reputation as a tastemaker in the industry. He played a pivotal role in discovering talents like Nickelback and Tina Parol. He then helped launch their careers. In addition to his work with artists, Ehrlich has contributed to the entertainment industry in other ways, such as by producing the soundtrack for the Oscar-winning film “Training Day” and consulting for the video gaming industry on issues such as content and intellectual property rights.

Ehrlich stays actively involved in talent scouting and development, nurturing the next generation of artists and helping them navigate the complexities of the entertainment industry. He has worked with artists across various mediums, providing strategic guidance and support to help them achieve their creative goals.

Today, his roster includes a diverse array of talent, from Grammy, Emmy, and Oscar winners to up-and-coming artists looking to make their mark in the industry. His corporate clients span television production companies, advertising agencies, mobile application companies, software developers, record labels, and music publishers, showcasing the breadth and depth of his expertise.

Throughout his illustrious career, Ehrlich has bridged the worlds of talent, production, and technology with content and intellectual property at its core. His broad experience, keen insights, and unwavering dedication have made him a significant figure in the entertainment industry.

David Ehrlich personal website for more information.

Justin Muzinich

Justin Muzinich

Over the last year, the US economy has been moderately in flux. With the Coronavirus pandemic changing global trade practices and domestic spending patterns, it’s hard to predict what the future will hold for the American economy. While thousands of medical professionals worked around the clock to create a vaccine and care for the sick, people like Justin Muzinich were helping the American people in their own way. As a graduate of Harvard Business School and Yale Law, Muzinich holds the position of US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, putting him in the unique and challenging position to oversee the US economy while it goes through this unprecedented time. Expertly poised to handle economic unease, Justin Muzinich has made many strategic moves that may have saved the US economy from collapse.

As he continues to work toward stable economic projections, the ultimate goal, according to Justin, is global cooperation. He asks us to set aside any differences we may have and join him in focusing on rebuilding our world. Moving forward, having professionals like Muzinich on staff in Washington DC will help the US move forward into economic security when the time comes to leave Covid-19 behind us.

There are several ways that Justin Muzinich has worked to bolster the economy over the last year. As a supporter of the CARES act, Justin Muzinich applauded the way in which the bill both helped struggling households and gave support to struggling businesses. He reported a strong economy going into the pandemic and believes that there are strategic ways in which we can prevent significant economic recession when the crisis is behind us. Much of Muzinich’s focus is on businesses, ensuring that the infrastructure of our economy is intact for years to come. He also stresses the importance of propping up local and state governments, many of whom find themselves strapped for cash with added Covid-related expenses. Muzinich was a key player in the corporate-debt backstops and providing support for riskier corporation bonds that occurred in the spring of 2020.

Muzinich puts an emphasis on cryptocurrency and its importance in the economy going forward. In order for this vital part of our changing world to remain economically viable, Muzinich stresses the importance of security to protect economic infrastructure. However, the most important thing going forward, according to Muzinich, is creating a global economy and being in mutual support of one another. He compared the United States and the EU’s responses, stating that the stimulus packages in the United States mirror the EU’s support programs. According to Muzinich, a unified global approach will be key. He also warns about the availability of liquid assets, as many individuals and companies have been calling in their assets, and the supply is running low.

Overall, it’s beneficial for the economy to have people like Muzinich monitoring the economy as we tread through these uncharted waters. Though the pandemic certainly isn’t over yet, experts like Muzinich predict that the United States economy will likely be okay in the wake of this crisis. Though things certainly won’t look perfect right away, with a little global cooperation and strategic government intervention, it’s likely that the economy will rebound soon after this nightmare is over.

John Berlinski Biography

John Berlinski Attorney

John Berlinski, currently a partner at Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, has an extensive history as a provider of legal services over the past several years. In fact, before his current position, he worked as an attorney for a couple of different practices, all of which prepared him for his present role. His education began with a Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, after which he attended the University of Michigan Law School.

After graduating, John began his professional career as a lawyer by working as a litigation attorney for the law offices of O’Melveny & Myers LLP, a global law firm with offices throughout the world. This allowed him to establish a network of contacts within the judiciary system, in addition to ample experience, tackling all sorts of cases as part of a legal team.

Years after building up a reputation in his initial position, John Berlinski was offered the opportunity to take on the role of Senior Vice President & Head of West Coast Television Litigation for NBCUniversal. In his capacity as SVP, he was assigned the responsibility of handling all litigation and pre-litigation disputes involving NBCUniversal’s West Coast division.

During his time with NBCUniversal, he was able to further develop skills that would enable him to become an expert in his field. Being SVP placed him in a position where he actively tackled various issues under the umbrella of entertainment law. This included cases involving intellectual property rights, such as those related to copyright law, trademarks, and idea theft, claims involving media portrayals, such as those related to reporters’ shield law, media access, defamation, rights to privacy, and rights to publicity, and other internal situations, such as those involving talent relations, entertainment contracts, employment, and general commercial disputes.

However, serving as SVP was not his only role. In his position as Head of West Coast Television Litigation, John was tasked with leading NBCUniversal’s profit participation group. This meant that it was his responsibility to manage a team of lawyers working to devise strategies for negotiation profit participation contracts. They also oversaw audits and audit claims, as well as accounting statements.

Finally, his professional career led him to become a partner at the law offices of Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP. As a partner, his role is to serve as the head of the office and as the chair of entertainment law, allowing him to apply all that he has learned regarding that judicial branch. Handling high profile cases involving powerful clients with equally powerful opposition can be an intimidating venture, but John’s unique background has ensured that he is more than prepared for the task. His previous experience has since been applied to representing all sorts of television and theater clients and handling cases involving intellectual property in music, resolving disputes involving theme park owners, working with agencies, and most of all, resolving claims related to licensing disputes and profit participation. This has not gone without notice. John’s skill in litigation has been recognized by all sorts of influential sources. Variety included him as a leading attorney of entertainment law in their “Legal Impact Report,” The National Law Journal gave him the title of Entertainment Trailblazer, and The Hollywood Reporter listed him on their “Powerful Lawyers 2020: Hollywood’s Top 100 Attorneys” list. Since working with Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, John has truly made a name for himself as a litigator to watch.

Craig Sweeny Keeps CBS at Top of the Charts

Craig Sweeny

CBS has been providing TV entertainment since 1927. This platform continues to provide content that fans love, from reality TV and fast-paced dramas to out-of-this-world science fiction. CBS relies on its writers and producers to provide content that fans will love. One producer that the network has relied on for almost two decades is Craig Sweeny, an American screenwriter and television producer. The bulk of his career has been dedicated to CBS studios. He started as a staff writer and has become an executive producer for many of the network’s high-ranking productions.

His Career

Craig Sweeny started his career as a staff writer for the television drama “The 4400.” This science fiction television series ran for four seasons from July 12, 2004, to September 16, 2007. This show followed a group of 4,400 individuals who appear in the Cascade Range foothills in a ball of light. These individuals had previously disappeared in a beam of light dating back to 1946. Regardless of disappearance time, none of them age. They also can’t remember what happened to them. It is soon discovered they possess different paranormal abilities, making them a focus of government attention.

Following his time on “The 4400,” he moved to another hit TV show. Craig Sweeny worked on the show “Medium” as an executive producer for six years. During the last three years on the show, he worked as a co-head writer. “Medium” is a supernatural drama television series. It aired on NBC for five seasons from January 2005 to June 2009. This show focused on the character Allison DuBois, a medium working for a law firm. She uses her abilities to help solve crimes.

Craig Sweeny also worked as an executive producer for the drama “Common Law.” This show ran for one season and was a comedy-drama featuring two dysfunctional detective partners ordered to take couple’s therapy. Sweeny moved from this project to “Elementary.” This show focused on the early casework of the famous Sherlock Holmes, and the first episode aired in 2010. It has long been praised for its creativity and quality storytelling. Sweeny spent over five years working on this British mystery-crime drama.

Sweeny is best known for his work on “Limitless.” Craig Sweeny took part in both the creation and production of this show. “Limitless” aired in 2015 as a TV adaptation of a popular movie by the same name starring Bradley Cooper. The TV series focused on the character Brian Finch. Finch discovers a drug that can increase his brainpower to almost 100%. This led him to work with the FBI to help solve complex cases.

Sweeny enjoyed the ability to be experimental with the show, pushing boundaries and adding to the procedural elements and expanding upon them. Though this show only lasted for one season, it is still enjoyed today on platforms such as Paramount Plus.

Sweeny also created and produced the show “The Code.” This was a military legal drama that premiered in 2019, but it was dropped after its first season. Sweeny has also worked as a consulting producer for the hit sci-fi show “Star Trek: Discovery.” The star trek universe is rich in exploring different people, places, and technology. This series has a devout following, and fans continued to be impressed by the latest installment. “Star Trek: Discovery” premiered in 2017 and is still going strong. It is the seventh series but begins a decade before the timeline of the original series.

Craig Sweeny has recently signed a new three-year deal with CBS Studios. He continues to prove himself as a vital creator and executive producer. He is on track to continue to develop new projects as well as work on existing series. He is currently developing a high-profile science fiction series for Paramount Plus as well as a crime series called “Know-It-All.” As a well-established producer for CBS, fans can’t wait to see what he comes out with next.

Work as a Mentor

Craig Sweeny loves to support other writers make their way into Hollywood. Since 2018, Sweeny has served as a volunteer mentor for the Veterans Writing Project through the Writers Guild Foundation. This project aims to identify individuals with a military background who have a passion for writing. This project provides tools and insight from professionals to help writers expand their skills and navigate the entertainment industry. Over a year, mentors will guide participants in developing a feature or pilot script. Mentors provide feedback, advice, and experienced guidance.

Family and Fun

Craig Sweeny dedicates much of his life to being a dad. As a ballet dad, he is always busy getting his daughters to rehearsals and performances. In his free time, he enjoys reviewing heavy metal music for angrymetalguy.com under a pseudonym. He also trains in martial arts and currently holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Official Website: https://www.craigsweeny.com

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1153843/

Craig Sweeny Interview NYCC 2015 with Jake McDorman

Jeffrey Schottenstein Biography

Jeffrey Schottenstein

Jeffrey Schottenstein was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, to Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein, a family with generations of experience in the apparel industry. His father, Jay Schottenstein, served as Chairman and CEO of Schottenstein Stores Corporation, American Eagle Outfitters, and American Signature. His grandfather, Jerome Schottenstein, helped to establish the Schottenstein Stores Corporation, along with other family members. Due to their success, the Schottensteins have been able to secure a future for their family and improve the lives of many in their community. Jeffrey grew up learning all he could from his father concerning retail and business. His grandfather was another important role model and the inspiration behind many of Jeffrey Schottenstein’s philanthropic endeavors.

Throughout his life, Jeffrey not only mastered the business world of retail but also learned the importance of giving back to his community, as his family has long supported different charitable organizations. Jeffrey has continued this mission by supporting groups with values close to his family’s hearts, as well as other groups working to better the lives of those less fortunate. His parents established the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Foundation, a foundation that supports Jewish causes through private grantmaking. Giving back to the Jewish community has always been an important family focus, and this foundation gives almost exclusively to Jewish culture and religious organizations.

Carving His Own Path

Coming from a well-established family such as the Schottensteins, Jeffrey Schottenstein knew he wanted to keep his family’s legacy alive, especially through philanthropic work. While he stayed close to his roots by continuing to work in the retail industry, he also started to branch out to support efforts that mattered to him. It was important to Jeffrey that he continues to carry out the passions of his family, but it was also important to stay true to himself.

Jeffrey Schottenstein was raised to not only be a smart businessman but also to share his success by giving back to the community whenever possible. In high school, he volunteered much of his time at Chabad’s Friendship Circle Program and helped to double their number of volunteers through his dedication to the cause. He found a passion early on for helping children that require special support services and people of all ages experiencing mental health issues.

In 2011, Jeffrey Schottenstein founded TACKMA, a clothing apparel line designed to bring greater awareness to mental health issues and give back to communities in need. Much of Jeffrey Schottenstein’s work is centered around his community of Columbus, OH, which is where this storefront is located. He developed TACKMA so people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds could feel comfortable in their skin and show off their unique personalities through high-quality products. The mission of this brand is to foster self-expression and empower people with the confidence to do things their way.

TACKMA is an acronym created by Schottenstein that stands for “They All Can Kiss My Ass,” a cheeky statement that emphasizes finding happiness in yourself without worrying about what other people have to say. Even before the brand was completely realized, Schottenstein had this acronym custom engraved into a pair of Nikes as a reminder to stay true to himself. This brand was created for the underdogs or those that society may be quick to overlook or judge. Encouraging self-love among these people has been one of the driving philosophies in his life.

Jeffrey Schottenstein is a long-time contributor to LifeTown Columbus, a one-of-a-kind facility run by Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center in New Albany. Designed to imitate a small city, Life Town provides children with special needs the opportunity to learn about real-world scenarios in fun and engaging ways. It offers a safe, nurturing environment in which specially trained volunteers help children acquire the skills they need to thrive, from socialization to fiscal responsibility. When COVID-19 impacted the work that LifeTown was able to provide, the facility adapted by creating LifeTown on the Go to serve Central Ohio students virtually. Jeffrey Schottenstein donated $100,000 to this new program and was honored for his advocacy and contributions to helping children at the 2021 Annual Lifetown Legends Luncheon.

Recently, Jeffrey Schottenstein and his family have pledged $10.15 million for the endowment of a new chair at the Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus. The goal of this contribution is to create a new comprehensive mental health wellness program, the Jeffrey Schottenstein Program for Resilience. Jeffrey remembers his struggles as a college student at Ohio State, dealing with anxiety, depression, and OCD. He felt alone, not realizing that many of his peers were experiencing the same issues. This stigma attached to mental health issues creates a sense of isolation that is common among students and creates a serious barrier to seeking help.

Jeffrey created the Program for Resilience to ensure students have access to a reliable, 24/7 support system. This program will help students address their mental health issues, overcome their obstacles, and build the foundation for a happy, successful future. It will teach them valuable coping skills that build cognitive and emotional resilience, so they feel confident to handle any challenges they face throughout their education and later after they graduate. The program will be led by Dr. Luan Phan, a well-known leader in psychiatry who has made cutting-edge neuroscience discoveries associated with resilience and mental health. It should be formally approved in November.

Jeffrey Schottenstein At TACKMA displaying apparel. CREDIT: TACKMA via Instagram

Jeffrey Schottenstein continues to integrate his passion for apparel with his love of helping his community. His line, TACKMA, has gained increased attention due to celebrity endorsements. LeBron James has been spotted wearing the TACKMA brand and supports the overall message and goals of the company. Jeffrey Schottenstein is excited to see the growth and adaptation of the Jeffrey Schottenstein Program for Resilience at Ohio State University. As an alumnus, he looks forward to helping his alma mater better cater to the needs of a diverse student body. He strongly believes that through this program, many more students can achieve academic success that will translate to future success in their adult lives.

Follow Jeffrey Schottenstein on LinkedIn

David Osborne Austin – A Boutique Approach to Wealth Building

OA Capital David Osborne

For more than two decades, David Osborne has been a cornerstone of personalized wealth management in Texas. As the founder, CEO, and lead financial advisor of OA Capital—an independent private wealth management firm with offices in Austin and Dallas—Osborne has redefined what it means to build and preserve wealth in a fast-changing financial world.

Driven by a client-first philosophy, David Osborne created OA Capital in 1999 to offer high-net-worth individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and athletes a more intentional, customized approach to financial planning. His guiding belief is simple but powerful: effective wealth management should be as unique as the person it serves.

A Wall Street Foundation, a Texas Vision

David Osborne’s career began at Morgan Stanley in New York and Dallas, where he developed a deep foundation in equity-based portfolio construction, retirement planning, college savings strategies, and income-focused investing. It was here that Osborne refined his technical knowledge and began forming the long-lasting client relationships that would eventually become the hallmark of his own firm.

However, Osborne quickly realized that the rigid structures and commission-driven incentives of Wall Street limited his ability to truly serve his clients’ best interests. That realization became the catalyst for launching OA Capital, an independent firm where the only priority is the client’s success.

OA Capital: Purpose-Driven, People-Focused

Since its founding, OA Capital has grown into a boutique, family-run financial firm trusted by business owners, families, and athletes alike.

The firm offers a full suite of financial services, including:

  • Portfolio management
  • Retirement and estate planning
  • Business succession planning
  • Insurance analysis
  • Equity and income investment strategies
  • NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) advisory for student-athletes
  • Tax mitigation and strategic charitable giving

One of the firm’s signature offerings is OA PRO, a division tailored to meet the needs of professional and collegiate athletes. Osborne, a registered NFLPA Player Financial Advisor, helps clients manage sudden wealth, navigate contract payouts, and plan for life after sports—a period when many former athletes face significant financial uncertainty. With a clear, proven system, he ensures clients are not only wealthy during their careers but financially secure for decades to come.

Credentials that Reinforce Trust

David Osborne’s qualifications reflect his commitment to excellence and his depth of expertise. He is registered across more than 20 states and holds a robust suite of industry credentials:

  • Series 7, 24, 31, 55, 63, and 65
  • General Securities Principal and Equity Trader (FINRA)
  • Group 1 Life & Health Insurance License
  • Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction (OSJ) designation

These credentials enable Osborne to handle complex financial matters, from advanced tax strategies to high-risk market positioning and alternative asset investing, including select crypto ventures.

Building Financial Literacy and Long-Term Habits

What truly sets Osborne apart, however, is his emphasis on education. His mission isn’t just to grow wealth—it’s to build a legacy of financial literacy for clients and their families. Whether he’s advising a young professional navigating student loans or a retired entrepreneur seeking to preserve wealth for the next generation, Osborne provides tools that empower clients to make informed, confident financial decisions.

Every client relationship begins with a comprehensive evaluation, allowing the OA Capital team to design custom strategies rather than rely on generic models or automated algorithms. The firm’s hands-on, relational approach stands in contrast to many national advisory firms, where clients can feel like just another account number.

Austin Roots, Global Perspective

A graduate of Texas State University, David Osborne earned his BBA in Finance while attending on a golf scholarship. He was also a proud member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, where he developed the leadership, teamwork, and strategic thinking that continues to guide his career. [Read The Full David Osborne Austin Biography]

Today, Osborne resides in Austin, a city whose entrepreneurial energy and cultural vibrancy mirror his own. Outside the office, he’s a devoted family man, a passionate golfer, a recreational hockey player, and a music enthusiast who enjoys the local live music scene that makes Austin famous.

Giving Back to the Community

Osborne’s commitment to leadership extends beyond business. He serves on the board of directors for the Thinkery—Austin’s innovative children’s museum—and on the housing corporation board for the Zeta Theta chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha. These roles reflect his dedication to education, youth development, and giving back to the community that helped shape him.

David Osborne is more than a financial advisor—he’s a trusted partner in building generational wealth. Through OA Capital, he has created a firm where experience meets empathy, strategy meets personalization, and wealth is not just accumulated, but thoughtfully managed and protected. For families, entrepreneurs, and athletes looking to chart a confident financial future, Osborne offers not just a plan—but peace of mind.

Will Floersheimer

Will Floersheimer

Will Floersheimer was a JP Morgan associate supporting an impressive and diverse $70 billion multi-asset portfolio. This is a brief biography of the young financier who served at one of the US’ most prominent banks, including his background, education, and interests.

Early Life

Will Floersheimer was born in New York City but spent most of his childhood in Greenwich, Connecticut – a quintessential and idyllic suburban upbringing with his two siblings, being the middle child between an older sister and younger brother. He attended the prestigious preparatory academy for boys, Brunswick School, from preschool through graduating high school. At the varsity level, Will was very involved in the school’s well-established sports programs, including soccer, lacrosse, and paddle tennis. Will Floersheimer is one of the grandchildren of Dr. Stephen Floersheimer who created the Floersheimer Institute.

Will also developed a passion for philanthropy, languages, and the humanities during high school, which he has carried on through his life and career. He is fluent in Spanish and Italian and received humanitarian awards for his achievements in the languages during high school. In the realm of charitable efforts, Will and several high school friends started the Blue Blazer Fund – a registered 501c3 that sold gently-used blazers with proceeds going to youth in Netanya, Israel. Through sales, fundraising, and grants, the young men were able to raise around a quarter of a million dollars for Israeli youth. Will often donates his time to The Lord’s Place in South Florida. They have been operating for over 40 years focusing on helping to combat homelessness.

College

After Brunswick School, Will Floersheimer was accepted to the well-regarded Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, where he majored in business. Additionally, he played lacrosse and was actively involved in a fraternity. He served in multiple leadership roles at his fraternity, including those related to philanthropic efforts. In his free time, he avidly followed USC football. On summers off from college, Will diligently applied for and completed finance internships back in NYC and the northeast with plans to move home, including interning for Van Eck Global, a mutual fund/ETF firm specializing in commodities, and GoldenTree Asset Management, a distressed credit-focused hedge fund. In his junior year of college, though, he interned on the west coast at JP Morgan Asset Management’s San Francisco office. Following graduation, Will was hired full-time at JP Morgan’s New York office, fulfilling both the desire to work at a major bank and to return to NYC, where he was born.

Career in Finance

Will’s first two years at JP Morgan were spent as an analyst managing multi-asset portfolios on behalf of public and corporate pension funds. He was subsequently promoted to Associate and supported a $70B portfolio. Will was tasked with portfolio construction and asset allocation across public and private markets, fundraising new assets, as well as meeting with clients to deliver updates on their investments and commentary on the markets. He put his experience in high school and college to use in the realm of directly communicating with clients about market trends and in fundraising and philanthropic efforts for both the company and clients. As he is fluent in Spanish and Italian, he is an important asset for current and future endeavors with international client portfolios.

On his personal time, Will enjoys returning to the west coast for visits, spending time with his family, and continuing to follow college football, particularly his alma mater, the University of Southern California. He spends time with old friends for the holidays like (New Years’ & Halloween). His family is really important to him as well as giving back.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wfloersheimer/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-floersheimer-695a34203/

Personal Website: https://www.willfloersheimer.com

Photograph: Will Floersheimer in New York. Professional finance at JP Morgan.

Biography: The Life and Career of Woody Johnson

Woody Johnson Biography

Over the past several decades, businessman Woody Johnson has built a highly successful career. Not only has he seen immense success in the world of business, but as his career matured, he has extended his attentions to both philanthropy and diplomacy. Johnson has accomplished much over the course of his lengthy career and gives much of the credit to his life experiences and the support of his family.

Early Life and Education

From birth, Woody Johnson had strong ties to the world of business due to the family he hails from. Woody Johnson is the great-grandson of Robert Wood Johnson I, co-founder of the now-multinational corporation Johnson & Johnson. This has led many to deem Johnson the heir to Johnson & Johnson’s pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer goods fortune.

Johnson was born on April 12, 1947 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. His parents were prominent philanthropist Betty Wold Johnson and Robert Wood Johnson III, former president of Johnson & Johnson.

While growing up alongside his four siblings in northern New Jersey, Johnson had the opportunity to attend the esteemed Millbrook school, a preparatory academy located in Dutchess County, New York. Later, he would go on to attend the University of Arizona, where he earned his degree. Throughout his teen and young adult years, Johnson spent his summers working at Johnson & Johnson.

NFL Ownership

After graduating from college, Woody Johnson swiftly went on to build a successful and well-rounded career.

Perhaps most notably, Johnson is widely known as the benefactor who purchased the New York Jets in 2000. Johnson purchased the Jets for $635 million, and the team would later go on to be appraised for $3.2 billion as of 2019. Johnson served as the acting owner and CEO of the Jets until 2017, when a career in international politics beckoned.

Currently, Woody Johnson co-owns the Jets with his brother Christopher Johnson. Although he eventually passed the CEO role onto his brother Christopher, Johnson is still involved with the team. According to Christopher, Jets insiders expect Woody Johnson to soon return to his role as CEO of the team. Once this occurs, Christopher will become the football team’s vice-president.

Political Career

Although Johnson had been involved in political fundraising for a number of years, it wasn’t until 2017 that he took on an international diplomatic position. Impressively, before Johnson took on this role, he had no diplomatic experience under his belt. Nevertheless, despite a lack of first-hand experience, Johnson has always had a strong passion for supporting US-UK ties, which he believes to be important to ensuring the long-term well-being of the United States. Johnson also has a strong interest in military history, and it is his understanding of the post-war partnership formed between the United States and the United Kingdom that reinforced his diplomatic beliefs.

His passion and interests placed Johnson at the forefront of those considered for a diplomatic role that would serve both the United States and the United Kingdom. In 2017, former President Donald Trump selected Johnson for the role of United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. He served admirably in this role for four years, until his departure in January 2021 with the election of a new administration.

Philanthropic Efforts

Truly, it is not surprising that Johnson has invested so much of his own personal time and funds into philanthropic causes. Woody Johnson’s mother was Betty Wold Johnson, a renowned philanthropist who had a charitable career spanning many decades. In fact, Betty’s philanthropic work continued up until her death in 2020, at the age of 99. Certainly, Johnson has made an effort to follow in his mother’s footsteps. However, while Betty Wold Johnson focused her philanthropic efforts on the arts, a large portion of Woody Johnson’s charitable donations have funded critical medical research.

Notably, Woody Johnson raised money and lobbied in an effort to increase federal funding for diabetes and lupus research. In his efforts to support diabetes research, Woody Johnson served as the chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Currently, Woody Johnson is serving as the Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR)’s founding chairman. He founded the organization in 1999, after his daughter was diagnosed with Lupus. Since then, Johnson has worked to fund further research regarding the disease.

Johnson works prominently with the Robert Wood Johnson Jr. Charitable Trust and serves as a trustee. In fact, among current members of the Johnson family, he is the sole individual to be invited to serve on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation board.

The Personal Life and Family of Woody Johnson

Woody Johnson has always been highly invested in his family life and is considered a true family man. 

Johnson first married in 1977 to Nancy Johnson, a former fashion model. The couple went on to have three children. However, they would eventually divorce in 2001, and Johnson did not remarry until a number of years later. In 2009, Woody Johnson married Suzanne Johnson, who is his current wife. Suzanne currently serves as the equities managing director at Sandler, O’Neill & Partners. With Suzanne, Woody Johnson has had two more children and now resides in Palm Beach, Florida.

Marc Kasowitz: Biography

Marc Kasowitz

If you’re seeking one of the strongest trial lawyers in the United States, it won’t be long before you come across the name Marc Kasowitz. However, aside from legal professionals, many may not know him. Who is this attorney with such a lengthy and hard-hitting career? Today, we’d like to give you a brief overview of the life and career of Marc Kasowitz, a partner at Kasowitz Benson Torres in New York City.

Upbringing and Education

Marc Elliot Kasowitz was born on June 28, 1952, to Robert and Felice Kasowitz. He has always had a close-knit family, including his fraternal twin brother, Stephan, as well as Susan, Marc’s younger sister.

His father saw success running a scrap metal business. Marc’s grandparents put this business into motion after they immigrated to the United States from their native Poland. Eventually, Robert would inherit this business after a lifetime of learning the ins and outs of the venture. This strong work ethic, passed from generation to generation, certainly had an impact on Marc Kasowitz himself.

Marc Kasowitz attended New Haven’s Hopkins School, where he was fortunate to receive a high-quality education from a young age. He went to Yale University, thanks to his dedication to his coursework and his strong desire to continue focusing on his education. From Yale, he earned his bachelor’s degree in American history.

However, earning his undergraduate degree wasn’t the end of Marc’s education—far from it. With a clear vision of where he saw his career heading, he went on to earn his JD from Cornell Law School. This eventually developed into Marc’s lifelong career, beginning his journey as an esteemed legal professional.

Marc Kasowitz Interview with Think Tech Hawaii

Career and Professional Accomplishments

Since entering the field of law, Marc Kasowitz has had a strong track record as a formidable trial attorney, more than capable of winning just about any case he puts his mind to. As such, this has led him to accumulate a long list of professional accomplishments.

Early in his legal career, Marc worked at Mayer Brown law firm. This is where he stayed until 1993, when he decided to help establish Kasowitz Benson Torres. Kasowitz Benson Torres is a highly successful law firm with a team of 19 accomplished lawyers. Two of Mayer Brown’s clients also left the firm to begin their partnership with Kasowitz Benson Torres. These partnerships would, of course, prove to be fruitful. Kasowitz Benson Torres quickly established itself as a strong firm with an impressive record of wins across the many cases they’ve participated in.

According to Benchmark Litigation, Marc has become one of the top 100 trial lawyers in the United States. This is far from the only recognition he’s received over the years. For instance, the National Law Journal also honored Marc Kasowitz as a Litigation Trailblazer due to his game-changing approach to his legal work.

Much of Marc’s experience lies in the realm of complex commercial litigation, where he has proven to be an invaluable adversary for every party he represents. His cases have fallen under a wide variety of categories, including banking, antitrust, corporate governance, and breach of contract. Marc has shown himself to be a versatile trial attorney, rather than one who restricts himself to cases in just one narrow area. Instead, he has dedicated his career to developing the broadest possible legal knowledge he can achieve—and he’s continuing to learn and grow to this day.

Marc Kasowitz has also directed a wide array of internal investigations on behalf of management, special committees, and boards of directors throughout his career. He has performed these investigations during instances of alleged conflicts of interest, corporate misfeasance, insider trading, challenges to board authority, market timing, accounting fraud, market manipulation, and even obstruction of justice.

So, what are some of Marc’s most impressive accomplishments as a trial attorney? There are more than a few of them, without a doubt.

One famous case that Marc has become known for involves Woodstock 50, a festival intended to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original 1969 event. The legal battle was fought against a former financing partner of the large-scale event, Dentsu. Dentsu is a marketing and advertising company from Japan, which attempted to abruptly withdraw its financing of Woodstock 50. However, thanks to the strong evidence and points made by Marc, the New York Supreme Court ruled that Dentsu lacked the right to unilaterally cancel the festival, based upon the contract it had previously signed.

Another example of Marc’s courtroom prowess can be seen when he represented MBIA against Credit Suisse. In this case, MBIA was determined to recover for breaches of warranties and representations, all related to RMBS and insured by MBIA. Marc participated in a two-week-long bench trial after the case found itself in the New York Supreme Court. In the end, Marc proved that Credit Suisse breached representations and warranties. Consequently, Credit Suisse was found liable for more than $600 million worth of damages.

Finally, the third instance of Marc’s legal success occurred when he represented ACA Financial Guaranty in court. ACA Financial Guaranty is a large bond insurer, positioning itself against Goldman Sachs and Paulson & Co., a well-known hedge fund. This $120 million fraud suit occurred after Goldman Sachs and Paulson & Co. fraudulently induced ACA Financial Guaranty to provide a financial guaranty for Goldman Sachs’ own ABACUS CDO. This occurred when ACA was deceived about Paulson & Co.’s financial interest and role in this transaction.

Thanks to Marc’s argument (which he presented to the New York Court of Appeals) a fresh precedent was set on the standards for reliance in instances of fraud in New York state.

Marc Kasowitz has had a long and impressive career as one of the leading trial lawyers in the country. But, of course, several decades into his career, Marc has yet to slow down—he continues to thrive as a tough-as-nails legal professional, giving the parties he represents the most robust possible legal defense. So, who’s to say what he’ll accomplish next? It’ll be something big, that’s for sure.

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/marckasowitz

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