Adrian Alexander of New York
Strategic Finance & Venture Capital Expert | Investment Portfolio Specialist
Adrian Alexander of New York, born in 1946 in Bucharest, Romania, holds both U.S. and Italian citizenship. His journey to the United States began in 1964 after he completed high school, marking the start of a new life with his family in a new country. Tragically, just six months after their arrival, his father passed away. This loss thrust him into the responsibility of supporting both his mother and himself. He pursued higher education against these odds, earning a Master's in Electrical Engineering from NYU Engineering School in 1970 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1972.
Despite the challenges of his early years in the U.S., he thrived academically and personally, providing for his mother while excelling at NYU and Harvard. His resilience during these formative years fueled his later successes.
Career
His career began ambitiously in 1972 when he was recruited by Morgan Stanley & Co. from Harvard. After three years in investment banking, he transitioned to Lehman Brothers Kuhn Loeb, serving as Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions until 1978.
Off to Italy
In 1978, he relocated to Milan to join the executive search firm Egon Zehnder, where he recruited executives in Italy and other countries for multinational clients. This role significantly shaped his understanding of global business dynamics. Remarkably, he has spent about one-third of his time in Italy over the last 50 years.
Back in the U.S.
He returned to the United States in 1978 with a broadened perspective and renewed ambition. In 1980, he took on the challenge of restructuring Minneapolis Sport, a struggling chain of sporting goods stores, which he successfully turned around and sold to over 50 franchisees.
1987-1990 Polly Peck Acquisition of Del Monte Fresh Fruit Company
In 1987, he joined Polly Peck International, Plc as Vice President of Acquisitions. He was instrumental in establishing the company's U.S. operations by acquiring several companies in the fresh produce sector, including a significant acquisition of Del Monte Fresh Fruit Company for $875 million.
He also initiated and implemented the company's expansion strategies in Eastern Europe.
From 1991 to 1994, he advised the founder of a regional corporate stationery business, steering it to become a $2 billion multinational office products distributor.
1995-1996 EC/American
He later led a boutique investment bank, where he secured venture capital for emerging healthcare companies like Trinity Biotech and CTSO.
1996-1999 Phoenix Real Estate Fund
In 1996, he founded the Phoenix Real Estate Fund in New York, acquiring over 200 rent-controlled and rent-stabilized apartments. This fund, valued at around $20 million, was successfully liquidated at the end of 1999.
Technology Seed Capital
In 2000, he created Technology Seed Capital, an early-stage venture capital fund that supported a dozen technology startups over the next three years.
2004-2006 Limores-Online Platform for Ground Transportation
He also became a partner in Limores.net, a pioneering global online ground transportation platform that operated before Uber and Lyft entered the market. Unfortunately, the platform was sold in 2006 due to financial issues.
2006-2014 AMI, Llc
In 2006, he acquired an ailing imaging center in Astoria, New York, which he successfully revitalized and sold in 2014.
2010-2021 Health Settlement, LLC
He established Health Settlement, LLC, a lending firm for personal injury cases, and in 2014, he expanded his operations by partnering with U.S. Claims, a premier company in the industry owned by Blackstone.
On the Personal Side
Adrian Alexander of New York looks forward to celebrating his 29th wedding anniversary with his wife, Susi, in July 2025. His son recently celebrated his 25th birthday, and his daughter turned 21. Beyond his professional endeavors, he is passionate about chess and poker—games that require a keen strategic mind, patience, and the ability to anticipate and adapt, qualities he has demonstrated throughout his career and personal life.
Despite the challenges of his early years in the U.S., he thrived academically and personally, providing for his mother while excelling at NYU and Harvard. His resilience during these formative years fueled his later successes.
Career
His career began ambitiously in 1972 when he was recruited by Morgan Stanley & Co. from Harvard. After three years in investment banking, he transitioned to Lehman Brothers Kuhn Loeb, serving as Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions until 1978.
Off to Italy
In 1978, he relocated to Milan to join the executive search firm Egon Zehnder, where he recruited executives in Italy and other countries for multinational clients. This role significantly shaped his understanding of global business dynamics. Remarkably, he has spent about one-third of his time in Italy over the last 50 years.
Back in the U.S.
He returned to the United States in 1978 with a broadened perspective and renewed ambition. In 1980, he took on the challenge of restructuring Minneapolis Sport, a struggling chain of sporting goods stores, which he successfully turned around and sold to over 50 franchisees.
1987-1990 Polly Peck Acquisition of Del Monte Fresh Fruit Company
In 1987, he joined Polly Peck International, Plc as Vice President of Acquisitions. He was instrumental in establishing the company's U.S. operations by acquiring several companies in the fresh produce sector, including a significant acquisition of Del Monte Fresh Fruit Company for $875 million.
He also initiated and implemented the company's expansion strategies in Eastern Europe.
From 1991 to 1994, he advised the founder of a regional corporate stationery business, steering it to become a $2 billion multinational office products distributor.
1995-1996 EC/American
He later led a boutique investment bank, where he secured venture capital for emerging healthcare companies like Trinity Biotech and CTSO.
1996-1999 Phoenix Real Estate Fund
In 1996, he founded the Phoenix Real Estate Fund in New York, acquiring over 200 rent-controlled and rent-stabilized apartments. This fund, valued at around $20 million, was successfully liquidated at the end of 1999.
Technology Seed Capital
In 2000, he created Technology Seed Capital, an early-stage venture capital fund that supported a dozen technology startups over the next three years.
2004-2006 Limores-Online Platform for Ground Transportation
He also became a partner in Limores.net, a pioneering global online ground transportation platform that operated before Uber and Lyft entered the market. Unfortunately, the platform was sold in 2006 due to financial issues.
2006-2014 AMI, Llc
In 2006, he acquired an ailing imaging center in Astoria, New York, which he successfully revitalized and sold in 2014.
2010-2021 Health Settlement, LLC
He established Health Settlement, LLC, a lending firm for personal injury cases, and in 2014, he expanded his operations by partnering with U.S. Claims, a premier company in the industry owned by Blackstone.
On the Personal Side
Adrian Alexander of New York looks forward to celebrating his 29th wedding anniversary with his wife, Susi, in July 2025. His son recently celebrated his 25th birthday, and his daughter turned 21. Beyond his professional endeavors, he is passionate about chess and poker—games that require a keen strategic mind, patience, and the ability to anticipate and adapt, qualities he has demonstrated throughout his career and personal life.
