Jeff Greene
Encyclopedia
Jeff Greene 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.
, Greene’s family moved to Florida in 1970 after his father lost his textile
business. In Florida, his father worked refilling vending machines and his mother, a former schoolteacher, worked as a waitress.
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.
Greene, his wife Mei Sze, and their son Malcolm live in Palm Beach
. The couple wed
in 2007. Greene was quoted as saying, “I just wish I had met Mei Sze 20 years ago." Greene has been a Florida resident for the past 3 years, his family has lived there since 1970.
In February 2011 Greene became a signatory of The Giving Pledge
.
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.
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.
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.
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." Greene has also said he will refuse campaign contributions from special interests, and will limit individual donations to $100. He has also said, if elected, he will donate his salary to people that elect him.
Greene’s platform focuses on economic reform and job creation. 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." 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.
United States Senate election in Florida, 2010
-Polling:-Results:-Background:Upon Senator Martinez's announcement that he would not run for reelection, early speculation surrounded former Governor Jeb Bush. It was thought that if Bush decided to run, other potential Republican candidates would allow Bush to run uncontested...
primaries in Florida.
Personal life
Born in 1954 in Worcester, MassachusettsWorcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
, Greene’s family moved to Florida in 1970 after his father lost his textile
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
business. In Florida, his father worked refilling vending machines and his mother, a former schoolteacher, worked as a waitress.
Greene worked many jobs to put himself through college at Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
, where he graduated with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
and sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
in three years, and later Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
, where he earned his Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
degree in 1977.
Greene, his wife Mei Sze, and their son Malcolm live in Palm Beach
Palm Beach, Florida
The Town of Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth...
. The couple wed
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
in 2007. Greene was quoted as saying, “I just wish I had met Mei Sze 20 years ago." Greene has been a Florida resident for the past 3 years, his family has lived there since 1970.
In February 2011 Greene became a signatory of The Giving Pledge
The Giving Pledge
The Giving Pledge is a campaign to encourage the wealthiest people in the United States to make a commitment to give most of their money to philanthropic causes...
.
Career
Greene began investing in real estateReal estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
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.
In mid-2006, Greene, worried about the possible collapse of the real estate market, spoke with John Paulson
John Paulson
John Alfred Paulson is an American hedge fund manager, he is the founder and President of Paulson & Co., a New York-based hedge fund....
, 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.
Belize Coral Reef
On July 23, 2010, the St Petersburg Times reported that Greene's luxury yacht Summerwind had caused damage to a coral reefCoral reef
Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps...
off the coast of Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
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.
2010 US Senate campaign
On April 30, 2010, Greene announced his intention to run as a Democrat for the United States SenateUnited States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
seat held by George LeMieux
George LeMieux
George Stephen LeMieux is a former United States Senator from Florida. He was Chairman of the Florida-based law firm of Gunster Yoakley & Stewart, P.A. and served as Chief of Staff to Governor Charlie Crist, was former Deputy Florida Attorney General, and is credited with spearheading Crist's...
, 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." Greene has also said he will refuse campaign contributions from special interests, and will limit individual donations to $100. He has also said, if elected, he will donate his salary to people that elect him.
Greene’s platform focuses on economic reform and job creation. 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." Greene's attempt to win the Democratic nomination was unsuccessful; Rep. Kendrick Meek
Kendrick Meek
Kendrick Brett Meek is an American politician who was the U.S. Representative for from 2003 to 2011. He was the Democratic nominee in the 2010 Senate election for the seat of Mel Martinez, but he lost in a three way race to Republican Marco Rubio along with Independent Charlie Crist.-Early life,...
(D) won the primary election before losing to Republican Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio
Marco Antonio Rubio is the junior United States Senator from Florida . A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives ....
in the November general election.
External links
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org