Jeff Greene
| Jeff Greene | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jeff Greene December 10, 1954 |
| Alma mater | Johns Hopkins University (B.A.) Harvard Business School (M.B.A.) |
| Occupation | Businessman Entrepreneur |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Spouse | Mei Sze |
| Children | 1 |
Jeff Greene (born December 10, 1954) is an American businessman and entrepreneur. He is a member of the Democratic Party and was a candidate in the 2010 Senate election primaries in Florida.[1]
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[edit] Personal life
Born in 1954 in Worcester, Massachusetts, Greene’s family moved to Florida in 1970 after his father lost his textile business.[2] In Florida, his father worked refilling vending machines and his mother, a former schoolteacher, worked as a waitress.[3]
Greene worked many jobs to put himself through college at Johns Hopkins, where he graduated with a B.A. in economics and sociology in three years, and later Harvard Business School, where he earned his Master of Business Administration degree in 1977.[4]
Greene, his wife Mei Sze, and their son Malcolm live in Palm Beach.[5] The couple wed in 2007.[6] Greene was quoted as saying, “I just wish I had met Mei Sze 20 years ago."[7] Greene has been a Florida resident for the past 3 years, his family has lived there since 1970.[6]
In February 2011[citation needed] Greene became a signatory of The Giving Pledge.[8]
[edit] Career
Greene began investing in real estate while in business school, and continued to build a successful real estate business. Greene went from being a bus boy at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach to being one of the most successful businessmen in the world.[9]
In mid-2006, Greene, worried about the possible collapse of the real estate market, spoke with John Paulson, a fellow investor who discussed with Greene his investing strategy. They agreed that the real estate market was unstable and a bubble might be forming in housing. After the meeting, Greene engaged in a similar investing strategy to that of Paulson, which involved a series of unconventional investments trading credit default swaps. The return on Greene’s investments ultimately saved his business, and even put him on the Forbes 400 list.[4]
[edit] Belize Coral Reef
On July 23, 2010, the St Petersburg Times reported that Greene's luxury yacht Summerwind had caused damage to a coral reef off the coast of Belize when it attempted to drop anchor. The alleged incident occurred in 2005 when Greene was not present on the vessel. When questioned, the chief environmental officer of Belize's Department of the Environment informed the newspaper that both Greene and the former captain of the Summerwind face a fine of up to $1.87 million should either return to Belize. According to newspaper reports at the time, the captain was interrogated by police and was then released. Then, according to Greene's former yacht manager Rupert Connor, the boat left Belize as scheduled, and he was never notified of any claim against the vessel. Greene's campaign denies that the incident occurred.[10]
[edit] 2010 US Senate campaign
On April 30, 2010, Greene announced his intention to run as a Democrat for the United States Senate seat held by George LeMieux, saying, "I am an outsider, the only candidate who isn’t a career politician. I’ve succeeded in the real world of hard work – the others have only succeeded at running for political office after office."[11] Greene has also said he will refuse campaign contributions from special interests, and will limit individual donations to $100.[12] He has also said, if elected, he will donate his salary to people that elect him.[13]
Greene’s platform focuses on economic reform and job creation.[12] Greene introduced his story and his campaign with a sixty-second video.
Greene's campaign was endorsed by the Tallahassee Democrat Editorial Board. In their endorsement, the board commended Greene for his "edge and an energy that make him want to push beyond the usual talking points", remarking, "we like the toughness he would bring to the office."[14] Greene's attempt to win the Democratic nomination was unsuccessful; Rep. Kendrick Meek (D) won the primary election before losing to Republican Marco Rubio in the November general election.
[edit] References
- ^ Bennett, George (2010-04-30). "Palm Beach ‘meltdown mogul’ billionaire to file as Democrat for U.S. Senate race". The Palm Beach Post (Cox Media). http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/palm-beach-meltdown-mogul-billionaire-to-file-as-648073.html. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
- ^ Mason, Annah (2009-1). "A Billion in Greene". Equities Magazine. http://www.equitiesmagazine.com/interview_jeff_greene.php. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
- ^ Dorschner, John (2009-12-07). "Wall Street's losses were businessman's gain". The Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/2009/12/06/v-print/1366446/wall-streets-losses-were-businessmans.html. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
- ^ a b Kitchens, Susan (2008-10-06). "The Reluctant Billionaire". Forbes Magazine. http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2008/1006/266.html. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
- ^ Miller, Kimberley (2010-04-23). "Monday Meeting with Jeff Greene, founder of Florida Sunshine Investments". The Palm Beach Post (Cox Media). http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/monday-meeting-with-jeff-greene-founder-of-florida-610314.html. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
- ^ a b Horowitz, Jason (June 25, 2010). "Jeff Greene touts business savvy, outsider status in run for U.S. Senate seat". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/24/AR2010062406366.html. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
- ^ Sipher, Devan; Navarro, Mireya (2007-11-04). "Mei Sze Chan and Jeff Greene". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/fashion/weddings/04vows.html.
- ^ http://cms.givingpledge.org/Content/uploads/634275694613413625_Jeff%20Greene%20letter.pdf
- ^ Wells, Jane (2008-02-29). "Real Estate Mogul Jeff Greene: The Man Who Shorted Subprime". CNBC. http://www.cnbc.com/id/23407363/Real_Estate_Mogul_Jeff_Greene_The_Man_Who_Shorted_Subprime. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
- ^ Smith, Adam C. (2010-07-23). "Belize: Jeff Greene's yacht tore up coral reef, left unpaid fines up to $1.87 million". St Petersburg Times. http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/water/belize-jeff-greenes-yacht-tore-up-coral-reef-with-unpaid-fines-up-to/1110511. Retrieved 2010-08-12.
- ^ Greene, Jeff (2010-04-29). "Jeff Greene for Florida". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8fMwaoZfVk. Retrieved 2010-04-29.
- ^ a b Smith, Adam; Beth Reinhard (2010-05-01). "Billionaire Democrat Jeff Greene jumps into Florida Senate race". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/billionaire-democrat-jeff-greene-jumps-into-florida-senate-race/1091739. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
- ^ Greene, Jeff (2010-04-30). "Meet Jeff Greene". http://www.jeffgreene.com/splash/meet-jeff. Retrieved 2010-04-30.[dead link]
- ^ http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20100807/OPINION01/8070307/Our-Opinion-Democratic-primary-Greene
[edit] External links
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