Mark Wilf
Mark Wilf | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1962 (age 61–62) |
| Nationality | United States |
| Education | B.A. from Princeton University J.D New York University School of Law |
| Occupation | Real estate developer |
| Known for | co-owner of Minnesota Vikings |
| Spouse | Jane E. Frieder |
| Children | four |
| Parent(s) | Joseph and Elizabeth Wilf |
| Family | Zygi Wilf (brother) |
Mark Wilf is the current President and co-owner of the Minnesota Vikings.
Biography
Born to a Jewish family, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Wilf, are both Holocaust survivors from Nazi occupied Poland.[1] He has one brother, Zygi Wilf.[2] The Wilf family immigrated to the United States from Europe in the early 1950s and settled in Hillside, New Jersey. After a brief stint as used car salesmen, Joseph and his brother Harry Wilf began purchasing apartment buildings and renting units. Eventually, the brothers began building single-family homes and founded Garden Homes.[3] A successful real estate developer, his two main family-run businesses, Garden Homes and Garden Commercial Properties, have constructed some 25,000 homes in 39 states across the country since their initial ventures; the two entities and their affiliates own and manage 25,000,000 square feet (2,300,000 m2) in retail and business property.[4]
Wilf received a B.A. from Princeton University and then a J.D from the New York University School of Law.[5] He then joined the family real estate business, Garden Homes, and in 2005, Wilf and his brother Zygi Wilf, took control of the Minnesota Vikings. Wilf was appointed president and his brother Zygi, CEO. As president, Wilf manages the day-to-day operations of the team and directs all its business departments.[5]
Philanthropy
Wilf is a major donor to the Jewish community including Yad Vashem and the Holocaust memorial museum in Israel. Wilf served as National Campaign Chairman for the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and is currently vice chair of their board of trustees. He was also appointed by the JFNA to lead a new initiative that addresses the needs of impoverished Holocaust survivors living in the United States. He serves as a Trustee of Yeshiva University.[6] He also serves on the board of trust of Vanderbilt University.[7]
Personal life
In 1990, Wilf married Jane E. Frieder in a Jewish ceremony in Philadelphia;[8] they have four children.[5]
References
- ^ Williams, Brandt (2005-05-25). "NFL owners approve Vikings sale to Wilf". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 2007-02-19.
- ^ The Observer: "The Broken Moral Compass of Vikings Owners Mark and Zygi Wilf - NJ developers 'cheated' their partners for two decades – now Minnesotans witness the brothers' shape-shifting principles" By Michael Craig September 17, 2014
- ^ "Garden Homes". gardenhomes.com.
- ^ G.R. Anderson, Jr., Eye of the Beholder, City Pages, January 3, 2007.
- ^ a b c MINNESOTA VIKINGS MISSION STATEMENT retrieved September 19, 2015
- ^ "Yeshiva University Trustees". Yeshiva University.
- ^ "Board of Trust: Members". Vanderbilt University. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
- ^ New York Times: "Jane E. Frieder Weds Mark Wilf" October 29, 1990