Alan Greenberg
Encyclopedia
Alan C. "Ace" Greenberg (born September 3, 1927) is a former Chairman of the Executive Committee of The Bear Stearns Companies, Inc.
He began work at Bear Stearns in 1949 as a clerk. He served as Chairman of the Board of Bear Stearns from 1985 to 2001, and as its CEO
from 1978 to 1993. Greenberg serves also as a non-executive director
of Viacom
. He is the author of Memos from the Chairman, which is a compilation of memos he issued to the associates of Bear Stearns during his tenure as CEO.
While serving as Chairman of the Executive Committee of Bear Stearns, Greenberg saw the collapse of the company in March 2008. He was subsequently involved in the talks with JPMorgan Chase, which bought out the failing company.
On Fortune reported that Greenberg agreed to join JPMC as vice chairman of Bear’s retail business.
Greenberg is an avid bridge
player, having won the Reisinger Board-a-Match Teams
in 1977. In 1981, he won the Maccabiah Games
teams bridge tournament and was second in the Reisinger later that year.
In 1969, while a bridge neophyte, Greenberg hired fellow player James Cayne
as a stockbroker at Bear Stearns. By 1993, Cayne was CEO of Bear Stearns, a position he held until the firm's demise in 2008.
Greenberg is also a member of the Society of American Magicians
. In 1998, Greenberg was the subject of a 999-word profile in People Magazine
that trumpeted his $1 million donation to New York City's Hospital for Special Surgery to underwrite Viagra
prescriptions for financially needy, impotent men.
"You do some nutty things," Greenberg stated and he told People that his wife Kathryn told him, "you've made your money, and you can spend it any way you want." That philanthropic gesture topped the time Greenberg paid to repair the bathrooms at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
Alan Greenberg is married to Kathy Greenberg, who is the Board Chair of Cardozo School of Law
and the founder of the New York Legal Assistance Group
.
Bear Stearns
The Bear Stearns Companies, Inc. based in New York City, was a global investment bank and securities trading and brokerage, until its sale to JPMorgan Chase in 2008 during the global financial crisis and recession...
He began work at Bear Stearns in 1949 as a clerk. He served as Chairman of the Board of Bear Stearns from 1985 to 2001, and as its CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
from 1978 to 1993. Greenberg serves also as a non-executive director
Non-executive director
A non-executive director or outside director is a member of the board of directors of a company who does not form part of the executive management team. He or she is not an employee of the company or affiliated with it in any other way...
of Viacom
Viacom
Viacom Inc. , short for "Video & Audio Communications", is an American media conglomerate with interests primarily in, but not limited to, cinema and cable television...
. He is the author of Memos from the Chairman, which is a compilation of memos he issued to the associates of Bear Stearns during his tenure as CEO.
While serving as Chairman of the Executive Committee of Bear Stearns, Greenberg saw the collapse of the company in March 2008. He was subsequently involved in the talks with JPMorgan Chase, which bought out the failing company.
On Fortune reported that Greenberg agreed to join JPMC as vice chairman of Bear’s retail business.
Greenberg is an avid bridge
Contract bridge
Contract bridge, usually known simply as bridge, is a trick-taking card game using a standard deck of 52 playing cards played by four players in two competing partnerships with partners sitting opposite each other around a small table...
player, having won the Reisinger Board-a-Match Teams
Reisinger
The Reisinger national bridge championship is held at the fall American Contract Bridge League North American Bridge Championship .The Reisinger is a board-a-match event.-History:...
in 1977. In 1981, he won the Maccabiah Games
Maccabiah Games
The Maccabiah is an international Jewish athletic event similar to the Olympics held in Israel every four years under the auspices of the Maccabi Federation, affiliated with the Maccabi World Union. The Maccabiah Games is the third largest international sports competition in the world...
teams bridge tournament and was second in the Reisinger later that year.
In 1969, while a bridge neophyte, Greenberg hired fellow player James Cayne
James Cayne
James E. "Jimmy" Cayne is an American businessman, a former CEO of Bear Stearns, founder of TalkGeek.org and world-class bridge player. After losing about one billion dollars in net worth from the collapse of Bear Stearns' stock, he sold his entire stake in the company for $61 million...
as a stockbroker at Bear Stearns. By 1993, Cayne was CEO of Bear Stearns, a position he held until the firm's demise in 2008.
Greenberg is also a member of the Society of American Magicians
Society of American Magicians
The Society of American Magicians is the oldest fraternal magic organization in the world. Its purpose is "to advance, elevate, and preserve magic as a performing art, to promote harmonious fellowship throughout the world of magic, and to maintain and improve ethical standards in the field of...
. In 1998, Greenberg was the subject of a 999-word profile in People Magazine
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
that trumpeted his $1 million donation to New York City's Hospital for Special Surgery to underwrite Viagra
Sildenafil
Sildenafil citrate, sold as Viagra, Revatio and under various other trade names, is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension . It was originally developed by British scientists and then brought to market by the US-based pharmaceutical company Pfizer...
prescriptions for financially needy, impotent men.
"You do some nutty things," Greenberg stated and he told People that his wife Kathryn told him, "you've made your money, and you can spend it any way you want." That philanthropic gesture topped the time Greenberg paid to repair the bathrooms at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
Alan Greenberg is married to Kathy Greenberg, who is the Board Chair of Cardozo School of Law
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
The Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law is the law school of Yeshiva University, located in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The school is named for Supreme Court Justice Benjamin N. Cardozo. Cardozo's success as a young school has been remarkable, leading some to characterize Cardozo as a...
and the founder of the New York Legal Assistance Group
New York Legal Assistance Group
The New York Legal Assistance Group is a non-profit law office that provides free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers. Through direct representation, impact and class action litigation, consultation and community education, NYLAG serves individuals and families residing in the five...
.