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Lester CrownChairman of the Board of Directors of Maytag.
Country:
 USA |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Lester Crown was born in 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, to Henry Crown, a prominent financier and founder of Material Service Corporation. In 1946, Crown earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University and a Harvard MBA in 1949.
Business Career
Crown's business career began in 1956 as President of Marblehead Lime Company. In 1966, he became President of Continental Illinois Bank, and later served as President of Trans World Airlines and Esmark Corporation. Notably, Crown currently serves as Chairman Emeritus of Maytag Corporation.
Business Interests
Crown's diverse business interests include family holding companies such as Maytag, New York's Rockefeller Center, and shares in Hilton Hotels. He also owns Alltel, a cellular communications provider, and Aspen Skiing Company, and is a director of the Chicago Bulls basketball team. Since 1973, he has been a supporter of the New York Yankees baseball team.
Philanthropy
Crown is a leading supporter of Jewish charities, universities, including the Aspen Institute, and has funded the construction of the Stroger Hospital in Chicago. He currently holds emeritus positions on the boards of Northwestern University and the Aspen Institute.
Affiliations
Crown is the Chairman Emeritus of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the founder of the Michael Reese Health Trust. He is a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Children's Memorial Hospital, Lake Shore Country Club, Standard Club, Economics Club, and Northwestern University Club. He also serves on the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute.
Personal Life
Crown is the father of seven children, many of whom play key roles in his business empire. His daughter, Susan Crown, is the President of the Shoah Foundation, while his other daughter, Janet Crown, is a successful entrepreneur and founder of LA Fitness. Lester Crown is one of the wealthiest and most influential people in the world, with his family's net worth estimated at approximately $4 billion.
