Howard Lutnick

Howard William Lutnick (born July 14, 1961[2]) is an American billionaire businessman, who succeeded Bernard Gerald Cantor as the head of Cantor Fitzgerald. Lutnick is the chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC Partners. After losing 658 employees, including his brother, in the September 11 attacks, Lutnick has become known for his charity efforts through the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund, which helps to aid families of the attacks and natural disasters.

Howard Lutnick
Born
Howard William Lutnick

(1961-07-14) July 14, 1961
Jericho, Long Island, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationHaverford College
OccupationChairman & CEO of
Cantor Fitzgerald
Chairman & CEO of
BGC Partners
Years active1983–present
Net worthUS$1.5 billion+ (September 2018)[1]
Spouse(s)
Allison Lambert
(
m. 1994)
Children4
Parent(s)Jane and Solomon Lutnick

As of September 2018, Lutnick owns 60% of Cantor Fitzgerald, with a net worth of "at least $1.5 billion".[1]

Early life

Howard Lutnick was born to a Jewish family[3] in Jericho, Long Island on July 14, 1961, the son of Solomon Lutnick, a history professor at Queens College and Jane Lutnick, an artist.[4] Lutnick was the middle child of the family, whose siblings were an elder sister Edie and a younger brother Gary.

In 1978, Lutnick was a senior in high school when his mother died of lymphoma. The following year, Lutnick entered Haverford College in Haverford, Pennsylvania. During his first week at school, Lutnick's father died while in a hospital being treated for colon and lung cancers.[5] A nurse treating Lutnick's father gave him 100 times the dose of chemotherapy drugs that he was supposed to receive.[6] Now orphans, Lutnick and his two siblings were largely abandoned by extended family members and instead relied on themselves for support. Lutnick, then 18, was forced to hire a lawyer to settle the debt his father left behind.[5]

The president and dean of Haverford, an institution priding itself on a Quaker heritage, called Lutnick a week after his father's death and offered him a full scholarship for his education there.[7]

Lutnick went on to graduate from Haverford in 1983 with a degree in economics.[8]

Family

On December 10, 1994, Lutnick married Allison Lambert, a law associate at Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker.[9] They have four children together, including sons Brandon and Kyle, whose first days of pre-school and kindergarten respectively fell on September 11, 2001. Lutnick was dropping his son off at his kindergarten, which caused him to be late for work, thereby saving his life.[10]

Business career

Lutnick joined Cantor Fitzgerald in 1983, the same year he graduated from college. Early on, Lutnick developed a warm relationship with the firm's founder Bernard Cantor as his personal mentor.[11] In 1991, Lutnick was named President and CEO of the company, and he became Chairman in 1996.[8]

Lutnick placed a high value on technology early on, and in 1999 made the decision to take eSpeed, an electronic trading subsidiary of Cantor Fitzgerald, public.[10] This electronic trading system required no brokers, and was a large part of the reason Cantor Fitzgerald was able to remain afloat when 70% of the brokers in their New York office, literally everyone who was in the office that morning, were killed in the September 11 attacks.

In 2004, Lutnick and then head of the London office Lee M. Amaitis decided to split Cantor Fitzgerald into two separate operations. Cantor would continue handling big trades through stock and bond trading desks, while a newly formed BGC Partners would offer broker-driven trading.[10] This move enabled the two entities to grow independently of each other, but required Cantor to borrow $400 million in loans and go into debt for the first time as a company in order to properly fund BGC's initial growth.[10] In 2008, Lutnick oversaw the merger of BGC Partners and eSpeed, a deal valued at $1.3 billion.[10][11]

September 11 attacks and aftermath

At the time of the September 11 Attacks, Cantor Fitzgerald's offices occupied the 101-105th floors in the World Trade Center's North Tower, just above where a hijacked plane hit the building.[12][13] None of the employees who were in the Cantor offices that morning survived the attacks. In total, 658 of Cantor's 960 employees died that day,[14] including Lutnick's brother Gary Lutnick.[12] Lutnick himself would have been in the office as well that morning, but on September 11 he was taking his son Kyle to his first day of kindergarten.[13][14]

In a short time after the attacks, Lutnick made several public appearances, and quickly became one of the most iconic figures from September 11.[14]

Because Cantor Fitzgerald lost two-thirds of its workforce, the company was in a vulnerable state, and many observers expected them to close.[13] Four days after the attacks, on September 15, Lutnick announced amid much controversy, that he would have to stop the paychecks of nearly 700 employees who were missing or had died.[15]

In a televised interview with CNN's Larry King on September 19, Lutnick addressed the issue, saying “I lost everybody in the company… I don't have any money to pay their salaries.”[15][16] In that same interview, Lutnick went on to say that while paychecks had been stopped, families of Cantor employees who had died in the attack would receive a 25% share of future Cantor profits for five years as well as health insurance for the next ten years.[5][13] Combined, this package totaled more than $100,000 for each family.[5][15]

In 2006, the firm donated $180 million to the relatives of their employees affected by the 9/11 attack.[2]

In recent years, Lutnick has been featured in events and specials relating to September 11, including the documentary “Out of the Clear Blue Sky” by director Danielle Gardner. The movie theater version prominently featured Mount Hebron Cemetery in Queens, NY. In the DVD version a large portion of cemetery footage and storytelling has been edited out. The cemetery has a clear view of Manhattan including the World Trade Center Towers and current Freedom Tower.[17]

Philanthropy

Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund

Just days after the September 11 attacks, Lutnick established the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund as a non-profit organization to aid families of Cantor employees who perished in the attacks of September 11. The fund was started with a $1 million donation from Lutnick himself, and provided assistance for families of 9/11 victims from 14 different companies as well as Cantor.[18] Lutnick's sister Edie Lutnick, a former labor lawyer, agreed to join the charity as executive director and co-founder.[19] To date, the fund has given out approximately $180 million to families of Cantor employees and approximately $280 million altogether as the fund has broadened the scope of its efforts to assist victims of natural disasters and other hardships.[12][20]

Global Charity Day

Each year on September 11 (or the business day closest to September 11 if that day falls on a weekend), Cantor Fitzgerald and its affiliate BGC Partners hold a Global Charity Day event and pledge 100 percent of the day's revenue to charity.[21] Since 2005, Global Charity Day events have raised approximately $113 million. Celebrities, sports stars and other notable individuals take part in the event on Cantor's and BGC's trading floors by speaking with clients throughout the day.[22] Previous event participants have included President George Bush, President Bill Clinton, Rudy Giuliani, Lady Gaga, Venus Williams, Eli Manning, Susan Sarandon, and Prince Harry, who holds the record for the largest single Global Charity Day trade.[23]

Haverford College

In 2012, Lutnick was appointed to the Haverford College Board of Managers following a term of six years as a vice-chair.[24] Lutnick endowed five student scholarships at Haverford and funded or led the efforts to fund several campus institutions:

  • Cantor Fitzgerald Art Gallery
  • Douglas B. Gardner '83 Integrated Athletic Center[25]
  • Gary Lutnick Tennis & Track Center[26]
  • Lutnick Library[27]

He has donated $65 million so far.[28]

Hurricane Sandy Relief

When Hurricane Sandy hit New York and New Jersey in October 2012, Lutnick pledged $10 million to aid families who were severely affected by the storm. Cantor Fitzgerald “adopted” 19 schools in communities that were hardest-hit and distributed $1,000 debit cards to nearly 10,000 families in neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Staten Island, and New Jersey.[29][30] Sen. Charles Schumer and other public figures appeared with Lutnick at several schools. Lutnick, with the assistance of his wife Allison, sister Edie, and team of volunteers and employees, personally distributed the debit cards to parents beginning at Public School 256 in Far Rockaway.[30]

Oklahoma Tornado Relief

After a tornado in Oklahoma killed dozens of people and caused an estimated $2 billion in damage, Lutnick appeared on Piers Morgan Live on CNN and pledged that his companies and the Cantor Relief Fund would donate $2 million to victims of the disaster.[31]

Fundraising for Donald Trump

On May 16, 2019, Lutnick hosted a fundraiser for Donald Trump at his home in Manhattan, raising some $5 million, according to the President's aide.[32][33]

Awards & honors
  • Ranked #4 Most Important People in Commercial Real Estate Finance by Commercial Observer (2013)[34]
  • FDNY Foundation Humanitarian Award (2013)[35]
  • Ranked #5 Among NJBIZ's "Power 50 Real Estate” (2012)[36]
  • Worldwide Orphans Foundation honoree (2012)[37]
  • Ranked #18 on Commercial Observer's “Annual Power 100” (2012)[38]
  • New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) Leadership Award (2011)[39]
  • Received Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest Navy award for non-military personnel[40]
  • Federal Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation Honoree[41]
  • Manhattan Youth Baseball Honoree[42]
  • Starlight Children's Foundation Honoree[43]
  • Commencement Speaker at Vanderbilt University[44]

Board memberships
  • Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation, Vice Chairman[45]
  • Horace Mann School, Board of Trustees[46]
  • National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Board of Directors[47]
  • Haverford College, Board of Managers Co-Chair[48]
  • Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Board of Trustees Vice Chairman[49]
  • Solomon Guggenheim Museum Foundation Trustee[50]
  • Partnership for New York City Board of Directors[51]
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References
  1. Metcalf, Tom; Basak, Sonali (September 20, 2018). "Howard Lutnick, Now a Billionaire, Bets Own Fortune on Bold Growth Plan". Bloomberg LP. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  2. Solomont |, E. B. "Howard Lutnick - The Real Deal". The Real Deal New York. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  3. Jewish United Fund: "Lion Luncheon 2017: 'We are the first responders'" by JESSICA LEVING September 9, 2016 |""We grew up with the Jewish understanding that you helped others," said Lutnick, who credited her late parents with instilling in her the Jewish values of charity and repairing the world"
  4. Mishkin, Budd (September 12, 2006). "One On 1: Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund Director Edie Lutnick". NY1 News. Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  5. Gordon, Meryl (December 10, 2001). "Howard Lutnick's Second Life". New York Magazine. New York Media LLC. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  6. Knox, Noelle (November 12, 2001). "Cantor battles back from tragedy". USA Today. Gannett Co. Inc.
  7. Wessel, David. "Reviews". Haverford Alumni Magazine. Haverford College.
  8. "Howard W. Lutnick". Cantor Fitzgerald Biography.
  9. "WEDDINGS; Howard Lutnick, Allison Lambert". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. December 11, 1994.
  10. Craig, Suzanne (September 3, 2011). "The Survivor Who Saw the Future for Cantor Fitzgerald". New York Times Dealbook. The New York Times Company.
  11. Dahle, Stephanie (December 1, 2008). "Briefing Book: Howard Lutnick". Forbes. Forbes.com LLC.
  12. "Cantor rebuilds after 9/11 losses". BBC News. BBC. September 4, 2006.
  13. La Roche, Julia (September 11, 2011). "The Amazing And Heartbreaking Story Of The CEO Who Lived And Rebuilt His Firm After 9/11: Howard Lutnick". Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc.
  14. "Iconic figures from Sept. 11: Where are they now?". NBC News. NBCNews.com. 2010.
  15. Bandur, Heather (September 15, 2002). "Being 'ruthless' helped CEO rebuild after tragedy". Houston Chronicle. Hearst Communications, Inc.
  16. "Highlights From Interviews Since September 11". CNN.com. Cable News Network LP, LLLP. October 28, 2001.
  17. Scheib, Ronnie (August 16, 2012). "Review: "Out of the Clear Blue Sky"". Variety. Variety Media, LLC.
  18. "A Lasting Legacy". Leaders Magazine. LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. 36 (2): 48. April–June 2013.
  19. Lloyd, Janice (August 23, 2011). "Cantor Fitzgerald family creates fund to help 9/11 families". USA TODAY. Gannett Co. Inc.
  20. Goldberg, Eleanor (January 15, 2013). "Cantor Fitzgerald Slacks on 9/11 Pledge, But Promises $10 Million to Sandy Relief". The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  21. Evers, Lisa (September 11, 2012). "9/11 anniversary: Cantor Fitzgerald charity day". MYFOXNY.com. Fox Television Stations, Inc.
  22. La Roche, Julia (September 11, 2012). "Kate Upton And Ryan Lochte Are Taking Over Cantor Fitzgerald's Trading Floor Today". Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc.
  23. Lutnick, Howard. "Charity Day". Gotham. NICHE MEDIA LLC.
  24. "New Roles for Howard Lutnick '83 and Dana Shanler Ladden '84". Haverford College. April 30, 2012.
  25. "Athletic Center Wins Board Approval". Main Lines. Haverford College.
  26. Mills, Chris (December 8, 2008). "Haverford Gets New Indoor Tennis and Track Facility". Haverford College.
  27. Snyder, Susan (October 25, 2014). "Haverford gets record gift from an alum the college helped save". Philly Inquirer.
  28. https://www.haverford.edu/college-communications/news/board-chair-howard-w-lutnick-gives-25-million-lives-speak-campaign
  29. Matthews, Karen (January 1, 2013). "Cantor Fitzgerald, NYC Firm Hit Hard On 9/11, To Donate $10 Million To Sandy Relief". Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc.
  30. "Cantor Fitzgerald donates $10 million in Sandy aid". NY Post. NYP Holdings, Inc. January 1, 2013.
  31. "Lutnick to donate $2m to Okla. victims". CNN. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. May 22, 2013.
  32. Sommerfeldt, Chris. "President Trump to attend swanky fundraiser in Manhattan hosted by billionaire Wall Street bigwig". nydailynews.com. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  33. "Trump Raises $5 Million at Home of Cantor Fitzgerald's Lutnick". May 17, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  34. Gaines, Carl (March 5, 2013). "The 50 Most Important People in Commercial Real Estate Finance". Commercial Observer. Jared C. Kushner.
  35. "2013 FDNY FOUNDATION DINNER". FDNY Foundation.
  36. "Power 50 Real Estate". NJ BIZ. Journal Multimedia. November 29, 2012.
  37. Aronson, Jane (November 19, 2012). "What's Good About Being an Orphan? You Are 'Untouchable'". Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc.
  38. "The Sixth Annual Power 100". Commercial Observer. Jared C. Kushner. April 24, 2012. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013.
  39. Glick, Pamela (November 18, 2011). "NYJTL Recognizes New York City Leaders Howard Lutnick and John McEnroe". NYJTL.org. New York Junior Tennis League.
  40. "Bloomberg Commercial Real Estate Conference 2011". BLOOMBERG L.P. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013.
  41. Vilensky, Mike (April 18, 2012). "Homeland Honor For Cantor Head". Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
  42. "Manhattan Youth Baseball 'Grades to Play' Charity Event honoring Howard W. Lutnick".
  43. "Abby Elliott, Carly Rose Sonenclar & More Set for Starlight Children's Foundation's Annual Gala Read more about Abby Elliott, Carly Rose Sonenclar & More Set for Starlight Children's Foundation's Annual Gala". BroadwayWorld.com. February 1, 2012.
  44. "The Final Lectures". Bloomberg Businessweek. BLOOMBERG L.P.
  45. "Board of Trustees". The Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation.
  46. "Board of Trustees". Horace Mann School.
  47. "Board of Directors". 911memorial.org.
  48. "New Roles for Howard Lutnick '83 and Dana Shanler Ladden '84". Haverford College.
  49. "Trustees". Intrepidmuseum.org. INTREPID Sea, Air & Space Museum.
  50. "Trustees & Officers". Guggenheim.org. Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation (SRGF).
  51. "PARTNERSHIP FOR NEW YORK CITY" (PDF).
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