In Business

His mother, Florence Melton

Florence Melton

Florence Zacks Melton was an American inventor known for innovating the foam-soled and washable slipper.-Early life:...

, was an inventor and with Gordon's father started the R. G. Barry Corporation: the world's largest supplier of comfort footwear. Gordon Zacks has served as Chairman of the Board of R. G. Barry since 1979. He also served as President and Chief Executive Officer for 24 years until 2004, when he stepped down due to disappointing sales.

In Politics

An expert on the Middle East and staunch advocate of Israel, he served as an adviser to George H. W. Bush

George H. W. Bush

George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...

 in several capacities: from 1987-1988, he served as National Chairman of the Bush for President National Jewish Campaign Committee and Co-Chairman of the Bush for President National Finance Committee, he was Vice-Chairman of the Bush/Quayle National Finance Committee and Co-Chairman of the Middle East Policy Task Force, from 1991-92 he served as Chairman of the US and Foreign Commercial Service Advisory Committee, he served on the President's Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiation for thirteen years, and he serves on the George Bush Presidential Library

George Bush Presidential Library

The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is the presidential library of George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States. It was dedicated on Nov. 6, 1997 and opened to the public shortly thereafter...

 Board of Trustees. In more recent political history, he has supported several Republican campaigns: he donated money to George W. Bush

George W. Bush

George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....

's 2000 presidential campaign and John McCain

John McCain

John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....

's 2008 presidential bid.

Book

Defining Moments: Stories of Character, Courage, and Leadership , a collection of essays on leadership, was published in 2006 by Beaufort Books.