Charles Zegar
Charlie Zegar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1948 (age 75–76) |
| Nationality | United States |
| Alma mater | B.A. Long Island University M.S. New York University |
| Occupation | Computer programmer |
| Known for | co-founder of Bloomberg L.P. |
| Spouse(s) | Spouse 1 (widowed) Merryl Judith Snow |
Charlie Zegar (born 1948) is an American billionaire and computer scientist known for being one of the four co-founders of Bloomberg L.P. [2]
Early life and education
Zegar was born to a Jewish family,[3][4] the son of Lillian, a musical comedy performer and opera singer, and Henry Zegar, a subway conductor for the New York City Transit Authority.[1][5] He earned a Bachelor of Arts and Science from Long Island University and a master's degree in computer science from New York University.[1]
Career
Zegar worked at the investment bank Salomon Brothers with Michael Bloomberg, Thomas Secunda and Duncan MacMillan.[6] After Bloomberg - who had been Solomon's head of equity trading and sales and then head of computer systems and data - was fired when he opposed the takeover of the company by Phibro, a metals trading company, he invited Zegar, Secunda, and Macmillan to start up their own financial data company. They accepted and together they founded Innovative Market Systems with Bloomberg putting up most of the seed capital.[6] Secunda, who was a mathematician, was responsible for gathering and inputting the data; MacMillan was responsible for sales; and Zegar wrote the software.[6] In 1982, Merrill Lynch became their first customer by ordering 20 data terminals and investing $30 million in the company (receiving a 30 percent ownership interest).[6] The company grew rapidly thereafter and presently has $7.6B in sales and over 15,000 employees. Bloomberg owns 88% of the company and the three other partners 4% each (In 2008, Bloomberg purchased back Merrill Lynch's original 30% share).[7][8]
Philanthropy
Zegar is a signatory of the Giving Pledge.[9] His Zegar Family Foundation donates to Arts, Culture, Humanities, Education, Environment, Health, Medical Research, Human Services and Religion. Zegar is on the Board of Trustees for New York University[10]
Personal life
Zegar has been married twice. He is widowed from his first wife.[1] He remarried in 2001 to administrative judge, Merryl Judith Snow; the service was officiated by Rabbi Joel Goor and took place at the Essex House in Manhattan.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d Forbes: The World's Billionaires - Charles Zegar September 19, 2015
- ^ "History & Facts - Bloomberg LP".
- ^ Jewish Telegraph: "Zuckerberg among nine new Jewish individuals and families to take the Giving Pledge" By Jacob Berkman Archived March 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine December 10, 2010
- ^ Forbes Israel: Jewish Billionaires - Profile of Charles Zegar April 14, 2013 (in Hebrew)
- ^ a b New York Times: "WEDDINGS; Merryl Snow, Charles Zegar" June 24, 2001
- ^ a b c d Hoefle, John (18 January 2008). "How Bloomberg Got His Millions" (PDF). Executive Intelligence Review. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
- ^ de la Merced, Michael J.; Louise Story (July 17, 2008). "Bloomberg Expected to Buy Merrill's Stake in His Firm". The New York Times. New York. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
- ^ "Bloomberg Stays Modest on His $16.2 Billion Worth".
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Giving Pledge: Charles Zegar and Merryl Snow Zegar retrieved March 30, 2013
- ^ New York University Board of Trustees retrieved March 30, 2013