Each of the 13 children born to the four brothers manages a separate foundation supported by the family. In my quest for answers, Shmulick Riffman, then-mayor of Ramat HaNegev, and a great Zionist dedicated to the Negevs development, became my mentor. The end result of this brilliant chain of decisions? "He surrounds himself with exceptionally capable people and then gives everyone opportunities to learn, contribute and succeed. They have gone on to invest the funds in real estate and the capital markets. "We're not passive investors," Sabrina says. Brothers Paul and David Merage created a snack sensation with their Hot Pockets, which became a household name. Tell me about your professional path and how you incorporate your business experience in your philanthropic work. [1] In 2004 the Merage Jewish Community Center[2] opened in Irvine, California; the center was named after the Merage Family and serves the needs of Orange County. A decade later, they made an astute observation that would change their lives. Meanwhile, Paul, who had had ten years of management experience working with major packaged food companies, suggested that he and David start a business importing and marketing consumer products from Europe and Japan. By 1977 their little company was selling $12 million worth of waffles per year. David Merage created a new category of convenience food products when he founded Chef America and developed and distributed HOT POCKETS brand sandwiches. [4] Hot Pockets were manufactured in Englewood, Colorado, Chef America's former headquarters, until moving its business to the rest of Nestl's frozen business in Solon, Ohio. View the profiles of people named David Merage. Laura is also the founder of Black Cube, which works with artists to produce pop up exhibitions in unexpected places while helping artists further their professional careers. [1]. Nelson has worked with David for 30 years, as vice president of food services, sales and marketing at Chef America and, since 2005, as a member of CIG's executive team. Special Needs Financial Planning: Smart Advice For Families Coping With Disabilities, Family Matters: The Best California Wines Come From Family-Owned Vineyards, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information. In 1977, David and Paul introduced Hot Pockets, frozen handheld sandwiches with a variety of fillings. Katherine remains active in her philanthropic endeavors. In later years the company expanded the brand to Lean Pockets, Croissant Pockets and Breakfast Pockets. Feeling alone and searching for a sense of community, she pioneered innovative ways for artists to be part of a collective that gives them inclusion and support. Joe's 55,000 square-foot home topped Paul's by 10,000 square feet. In the mid-1990s, it relocated its headquarters to Englewood, Colo. David's family and the entire executive team made the move. [2] As microwave ownership increased and as more women entered the workforce Hot pockets gained greater recognition and eventually became a success. Connected to Life: This program supports and trains senior citizens to use smartphones as a means of strengthening their social and familial ties. Merage developed the concept of a quick two-minute microwaveable meal which was all enclosed in a crust for ease of handling, using nothing more than a paper towel. She pleaded guilty to paying college admissions coach Rick Singer $300,000 to get her daughters into to the University of Southern California. Pakal: One of the young leaders of our Iranian Community Program, who is an active reservist commander, raised the issue of the lack of social cohesion and disconnect among army reservists. They instantly knew this larger-style waffle could be a huge hit back in America where the consuming public had only ever experienced thin Eggo-style waffles. Colorado EPIC | Our Mission, Members & Movement Specifically, we are currently working on two main programs: DeserTech: Our program aims to support the development and commercialization of climate change and desert technologies (such as AgTech, WaterTech, renewable Energy, and other sustainable innovations). Stell 18 Inverness Place East, Englewood, CO 80112. Nelson has worked with David for 30 years, as vice president of food services, sales and marketing at Chef America and, since 2005, as a member of CIG's executive team. Its oppression, says Rocky. The Institutes Innovation Bridge Program has brought almost 1000 of the leading high tech Israeli scientists and business leaders to Newport Beach for a special two week business boot camps. So far, Echo has invested in Boomerang Pies, a company in Austin, Texas, that sells frozen, handheld, all-natural, minced meat and kidney pies, adapted from Australian recipes. She resides in Newport Coast, California. Yet another amazing example of a massive fortune made from a totally random business. "I don't know of any other country where people can succeed through their best efforts as they can here," David says. "The role of CIG is to support our non-profit activities," he says. He also invests in people through his foundation, the David and Laura Merage Foundation. Michelle Janavs Husband Janavs' is very private about her personal life therefore it is not known if she is in any relationship. As an accomplished artist and venture philanthropist, Laura Merage works to positively influence the lives of thousands of people every day. Andre Merage died in 2001. "My father used to tell us stories about successful family businesses," David says. These are: honesty, integrity, determination and commitment. The Forgotten Immigrant Origins of America's Most Iconic Microwavable Snack Our Founder Once again, the brothers were back in the kitchen experimenting with recipes. There was nothing like them.". Additionally,Laura serves on the University of Tel Aviv Board of Governors and is an emeritus board member for the Anti-Defamation League. HOT POCKET Founder and Successful Entrepreneur, David Merage - PRWeb At CIG, I have created a culture that fosters an environment of respect, integrity and tolerance of others. Through a rigorous selection process, this program works with reserve companies that demonstrate a high degree of leadership and commitment to community building. Through his company, Consolidated Investment Group (CIG), David invests in real estate and the capital markets. Paul spent nearly a decade working on specialty food products like Tang, Hostess desserts, and freeze-dried coffee. in economics and an M.B.A.[2], After college, he worked for nine years in a succession of increasing responsibilities in product management[5] at General Foods (now Kraft Heinz Company), Hunt Wesson and Specialty Foods where he was director of new products. The company soon introduced over 30 flavors and variations, including Lean Pockets, Croissant Pockets and Breakfast Pockets. Redline Art Center has been noticed Redlines new exhibit Carey Fisher, curated by Cortney Lane Stell, brings together two popular landscape painters. Sabrina Merage Grantee at DOC NYC - David & Laura Merage Foundation Even though in 1983 microwave ovens did not have widespread distribution in US households, Merage correctly predicted that Microwave oven usage would continue to grow exponentially. By bringing their experience, resources, and dedication to each respective initiative, they have brought ambitious societal shifts closer to fruition. . or call (303) 789-2664 x233. Facebook gives people the power to. email info@merage.org According to the David and Laura Merage Foundation, the family takes a hands on approach to their philanthropy, bringing their business acumen, entrepreneurial spirit, and creativity to each and every project.. He named it Hot Pockets, and promoted it as the Hot Meal without a Big Deal. [6] MIG Real Estate, managed by Greg Merage is involved in development and management of commercial real estate. 1946 takes a journalistic, academic approach. I saw in the Negev, Israels land of opportunity; a blank piece of paper to write the next chapter of the new Zionism. MFI's DeserTech Initiative Partners with United Nations. I sought out my American dream and seized the opportunity to move overseas, diving fully into art education, learning from established artists and teachers, and experiencing museums and art institutions in the U.S. From then on, I devoted myself to the craft, using it as an outlet for self-expression. When the company ran out of initial funding the brothers also had to borrow money from their parents. The gala will honor designer Karl Lagerfeld on May 1. Between the two brothers, they support more than a dozen family-led philanthropic foundations. He wanted a snack-able treat a kid could microwave in two minutes and eat holding nothing but a paper towel. Sabrina is the principal; her cousin Ben Levy is the vice president. Arts and Culture: Our foundation invests in public and private arts organizations throughout the US. David and Laura Merage Foundation | Englewood, CO | Cause IQ Younger brother David joined Paul in California in 1968. Shawn Naim - Add Relationship - LittleSis Paulreferred to by David as a marketing geniuswas convinced that there was a big market for them in the States. David has created a company that is founded on high ethical standards that puts its people first, fosters an environment of respect, integrity, and tolerance of others. After selling the company, Paul launched a private investment firm called the MIG Group. ". "California felt like home," says David. Our plan includes developing the ecosystem of agricultural tourism in the Negev, by improving the quality of existing agritourism products, supporting the establishment of new ventures and creating jobs. Clarkston : A Documentary About the Most Diverse Square Mile - David In 1975, David Merage co-founded Chef America, a national frozen food manufacturer known for inventing and marketing Hot Pockets, Lean Pockets, and Croissant Pockets. (Photo by Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Editor Showcase). A lot of students will be better of with the new financial aid criteria. Sometimes, an unexpected incident in life presents itself. In partnership with the Jewish Agency, Wings offers a continuum of services, from the time they first arrive in Israel and years after their release from the IDF. Paul's daughter Michelle was involved in the infamous college admissions scandal, also known as Operation Varsity Blues. A collection of recent news, press mentions, and insights on the David and Laura Merage Foundation and our impact areas. Paul Merage is chairman of MIG Capital which he co-founded with his son Richard and Greg Merage, a member of the extended family, while David Merage runs Consolidated Investment Group. In the 1920s, he moved to France, where he ran a successful business importing and exporting high-end antiques. Copyright 2023 Consolidated Investment Group All Rights Reserved. In 2020, Sabrina founded Evoke Media as a subsidiary of SMF in order to create connection, cultivate conversation, and drive social impact through the power of storytelling. Over time sales started to take off. The CIG Group manages more than $2 billion worth of assets. Velaa has noticed an interesting trend in bookingsabout 45 percent of their guests have been family/multi-generational bookings this year. They called the company Chef America, Inc. To get the company's first capital to launch, Paul took out THREE mortgages on his home. David And Laura Merage Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica Jamie Dimon, the CEO of the countrys largest bank, asserted last month it was absurd to suggest titans like JPMorgan would benefit from the collapse of several regional banks. Mr. "Behaviors associated with poor mental health and addiction are mistaken for, and treated as, willful criminality," said David Merage. Cities and what people think and feel about them frame in a deep way how we deal with housing policy and economics. My mother encouraged my interest and love for Israel from a young age. After graduating from Sacramento State University with a degree in marketing, David began investing in real estate with his father and demonstrated a keen eye for identifying and capitalizing on market trends. Meanwhile, Laura saw that many of her peers were isolated by their artistic interests. He and brother Paul Merage later sold the company to Nestl for $2.6 billion. In 1979, my mother put me in touch with a family friend. David Merage is a passionate venture philanthropist, and together with his wife Laura, has founded the David & Laura Merage Foundation which invests in social change resulting in children, families, and communities improving the quality and circumstances of their lives. He approaches opportunities by asking not only what assets can we unlock but also whether we are the right fit in terms of corporate culture. Merage family - Forbes CIG supports five family foundations: the David and Laura Merage Foundation, the Andre and Katherine Merage Foundation, Early Learning Ventures, the Jonathan Merage Foundation and the Sabrina Merage Foundation. The cornerstones of this culture are Davids business imperatives: respect, accountability, innovation, collaboration, a drive for excellence, having fun, and making our world a better place. Redline Art Center has been noticed Redlines new exhibit Carey Fisher, curated by Cortney Lane Stell, brings together two popular landscape painters. In 1968, David joined Paul in California. Before the premiere at the DOC NYC Film Festival, the film garnered much media attention. In my research I learned that Joe C. Wen took the record for largest home in all of Orange County from a person named Paul Merage. Their instincts were right. His older brother, Paul, had graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. David Merage, founder of the David and Laura Merage Foundation, joined prestigious business leaders . In 2005 Paul donated $30 million to the University of California's School of Business, which was then renamed the Paul Merage School of Business. The program matches senior citizens with hundreds of high school and university students from around the country who coach them on using key tools and apps such as Whatsapp and Moovit, as well as apps that allow them to make doctors appointments, do online shopping or communicate with their banks. David was born to Andre and Katherine Merage in Tehran, Iran, in 1949 as one of five children. Founded in 1977, the company behind the microwavable meals, Chef America, was sold to Nestle in 2002 for $2.6 billion. History - David & Laura Merage Foundation I never considered it for one minute," he says. All Rights Reserved. The glorious frozen creations known as Hot Pockets were created by two Jewish-Iranian brothers named Paul and David Merage, who immigrated from Tehran to the U.S. for college, according to Saveur.After earning an MBA, Paul worked in marketing at Maxwell Coffee House, but a trip to Europe inspired him to start a frozen waffle business alongside his brother, and thus, former frozen food giant . My family represents three generations of philanthropists that began with my parents, and we are now working on a fourth generation: my grandchildren! Nelson has worked with David for 30 years, as vice president of food services, sales and marketing at Chef America and, since 2005, as a member of CIG's executive team. DeserTech Jonathan Merage has recently boosted his continued donations to the University of Hawaii at Mnoas Science and School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology David Merage, founder of the David and Laura Merage Foundation, joined prestigious business leaders from Colorado as a presenting sponsor of EPICs (Executives Partnering to Cortney Lane Stell, executive director and chief curator of Black Cube Nomadic Art Museum was recently interviewed by Westword, a Denver based news publication. The daughter of Paul Merage, who co-founded Chef America Inc. with his brother and created the Hot. The company created a considerable workforce employing 1,900 associates in three states, and generating over 6,000 national jobs through the supply chain. The Merage Foundations have positively impacted hundreds of thousands of peoples lives both in the US and globally. When Nestl bought Chef America, the company had sales of $750 million a year, employed 1,800 people and generated 6,000 jobs through its supply chain. [2] For over a decade Merage has been a major and active supporter of El Sol Academy, a dual immersion charter school in Santa Ana, California founded in 2001 with 110 students, later enrolling nearly 1,000 students in preschool through eighth grade. David and Laura, who came to the U.S. as teenagers, recognize that America has been very good to them. Paul Merage (born 1943) is an American billionaire businessman who co-founded Chef America Inc., the company that popularized the microwavable frozen snack Hot Pockets . Reese Witherspoon Sold Her Los Angeles House to a Hot Pockets - DIRT You and your wife Laura are known for your philanthropic involvement. It has advised Funky Chunky on matters such as designing equipment, redistribution channels and human resources. "Retirement? I'm pretty sure the daughters could have gotten into UC Irvine without even submitting grades considering the business school is literally named after their grandpa! [4] He attended Alborz High School in Tehran. Their primary funding interests include early childhood education, economic development in Israel, weather research, and educational programs for young people that promote tolerance and diversity. This is Paul Merage's 45,000 square-foot mansion: How did Paul Merage become a billionaire? Also, throughout the years, Shimon Peres supported our work and later became the Minister for the Development of the Negev and the Galilee. . [3] CIG does not just write a check. Paul set up an in investment firm in Southern California, and David started Consolidated Investment Group (CIG), an investment management company in Denver that invests for a select group of clients. Now enthusiastic about philanthropy, she sits on several non-profit boards and attends conferences on philanthropy. Foundation's History. After the sale of Chef America, the brothers pursued separate projects. Although the brothers had no experience in developing food products or designing machinery, they were undeterred. Deanne Stone is a business writer based in Berkeley, Calif. Photo Essay: L.A.'s Iranian Jews repaying Alliance's generosity With Lauras leadership, the organization founded RedLine, an urban art laboratory promoting the creative expression of resident artists. She was a young Jewish woman in Tehran, who was trying to escape from a very abusive husband with her two young daughters. Founder of Consolidated - Early Learning Ventures | Facebook My parents told us that the money wasn't to be used to change our lives, but to change the world around us.". CIG holds one of the most diverse portfolios in the country in terms of product type and geography, investing in public equity, hedge funds, fixed income and real estate, both domestically and internationally. By incorporating real business experience, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a passion for social impact, we provide the best services and quality no matter what we do, and we go where not many people are willing to go. In 1983, Hot Pockets were introduced to retail supermarkets and, within a short time, was a household staple. Today, David Merage runs Consolidated Investment Group (CIG), a Denver-based company investing in real estate, capital markets and private equity. And that segues nicely into the actual article I ended up wanting to write. In February 2020, Michelle was sentenced to five months in prison. 18 Inverness Place East, Englewood, CO 80112 Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie were powerless to save a couple of their faves this time. I kid you not. The David and Laura Merage Foundation has generously committed to providing continued support through 2022. At the time, Sabrina was just graduating from college and thinking more about her career. At the time of its sale to Nestl in 2002, the company had reached $750 million in annual sales, employed 1,800 people, and was growing at a rate of 15% per year, making it one of the fastest-growing food companies in the world. Its politics. Today, I am principal of Consolidated Investment Group, a Denver-based investment firm, focusing on Wall Street and real estate investments. Paul Merage - Wikipedia David Merage is a successful entrepreneur and venture. The difference is that Echo targets new companies started by millennial entrepreneurs. and the original The Fugitive and Dynasty to lighter family-themed comedic programming like The Partridge Family, The Courtship of Eddies Father and Nanny and The Professor. I always wanted to take my knowledge of business and management, to give back to the communities that directly affected my life. For the past 22 years, we have created a variety of programs that have improved the life trajectory of hundreds of Iranian-Israeli families, creating multi-generational change. Ivanka Trump visits daycare center near Denver, touting administration Negev Agritourism: MFI is working with key regional partners to transform the Negev region into a flourishing agritourism destination, attracting a flow of international and local tourists in their quest for an authentic desert experience, a growing curiosity about where our food comes from, and a stronger connection to the land. In particular, Laura has launched several nonprofit organizations that have made a profound impact on our nations Art and Culture landscape. When the Nazis invaded Paris in 1940, he fled to Iran and resumed his life there. CIG currently has a staff of 74, including David's daughter, Sabrina, 29; his wife's nephew Ben Levy, 34; and Rob Nelson, one of six former managers from the Chef America team. These young people have made significant sacrifices by leaving their homes and families to move to Israel and protect our Jewish homeland. Wings: For the past 15 years, the Wings Program has been providing immigrant youth and lone soldiers with the tools they need to enter Israeli society as confident and active citizens.
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