Jesse Itzler

Jesse Itzler
Born 1968 (age 46–47)
Roslyn, New York, United States
Ethnicity Jewish
Citizenship United States
Education justice, law, and society
Alma mater American University (B.A., 1990) [1][2]
Occupation Vice Chairman of Marquis Jet
Spouse(s) Sara Blakely (Founder of Spanx) (m.2008)
Children three
Parent(s) Daniel & Elese Itzler

Jesse Eric Itzler (born 1968)[3] is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, endurance athlete and former rapper.[4] He is the co-founder of Marquis Jet, one of the largest private jet card companies in the world, the Founder of The 100 Mile Group and partner in Zico Coconut Water.[5][6]

Early life and education

He was born in Roslyn, New York in 1968. He is the son of Daniel Itzler, an inventor, and Elese Itzler,[7] the president of the Roslyn Board of Education. Itzler earned his bachelor's degree in 1990 from American University. He later obtained a degree in justice, law, and society.[1][2]

Career

Music career

Itzler wrote and sang the New York Knicks theme song "Go NY Go"[8] and wrote original songs for more than 50 other professional teams. Additionally, Itzler wrote and sang the Emmy Award-winning song "I Love This Game" for the NBA. He released his debut album Thirty Footer in Your Face on the Delicious Vinyl label using the pseudonym Jesse Jaymes in 1991. He co-wrote songs for various artists including Tone Lōc.[4] His first single "Shake It Like A White Girl" reached 74 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1991[9] and was featured in the soundtrack of the 2004 movie White Chicks.[10]

Entrepreneurship

In 2001, Itzler co-founded Marquis Jet, one of the largest private jet card companies in the world.[11] Itzler served as the company’s Vice Chairman until the company was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway, parent company of NetJets, in 2009.[5][6] Itzler was a partner in Zico Coconut Water, a coconut water company acquired by Coca Cola in 2012.[11] Additionally, Itzler co-founded Alphabet City Sports Records with his friend Kenny Dichter.[12] The record company is known for mixing classic arena songs with highlights of historical play-by-play calls for professional sports teams including the Wizards, the Mavericks, and the Lakers. In 1998, the company was sold to SFX.

Philanthropy

In November 2006, Itzler ran 100 miles non-stop for charity.[1] Following the run, Itzler founded the 100 Mile Man Foundation, a platform to raise money with a different 100-mile event every year.[13] It has raised over $3 million to date for a variety of charitable causes including a new Collel Chabad children's kindergarten in Rishon LeZion, Israel.[14] including a new Collel Chabad children's kindergarten in Rishon LeZion, Israel.[14] The foundation hosted the "City to the Sand" 100 mile bike ride from New York City to The Hamptons in 2009.[15] The event raised over $1 million for several charities and inner-city children.[16] Additionally, the 100 Mile Man Foundation is a brand incubator and marketing agency that fosters start-up brands.[17] Itzler played in the 2009 Maccabiah Games on the USA Masters Basketball team.[18]

Personal life

In 2008, Itzler married Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx and the youngest female self-made billionaire.[11][19] The couple has three children.[20][21]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Reichley, Melissa, "Alumni Success Story: Go-Getter Itzler on Third Career: Marquis Jet", Alumni News, American University
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rhoden, William C., "Sports of The Times; Hip-Hop In Orange And Blue", The New York Times, February 18, 1995
  3. ↑ Potkewitz, Hilary (2008). "40 Under Forty". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Janes, Erika Rasmusson (November 1, 2004). "NBA Idol: An Entrepreneur Raps His Way Into The Big Leagues". money.cnn.com. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Natalie Robehmed (January 14, 2014). "How To Pitch Successfully From Rapper-Turned-Entrepreneur Jesse Itzler". Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Teresa Novellino (October 31, 2013). "Good music, great grub? Vowch it to friends, says Jesse Itzler". Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  7. ↑ Kroll first=Chana (July 20, 2009). "Jewish News: '100-Mile Man' Funds Educational Center for Underprivileged Children". Chabad.org.
  8. ↑ Erika Rasmusson Janes (November 1, 2004). "NBA Idol: An entrepreneur raps his way into the big leagues". CNN Money. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
  9. ↑ Billboard Hot 100 Original: Week of February 01, 1992, Referenced: February 22, 2011
  10. ↑ "White Chicks Soundtrack". IMDB. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "This Rapper From The Nineties Has A Sick New Startup". November 11, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  12. ↑ Billboard Magazine May 17, 1997 By Gina Van Der Viliet via Google Books accessed February 22, 2011
  13. ↑ Claire Trageser. "I'm a Competitor: Jesse Itzler". Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Collel Chabad Live: "100 Mile Man Inaugurates" July 13, 2009
  15. ↑ ""City To Sand" Bike Race To Benefit 100 Mile Man Foundation Scheduled". September 8, 2009. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  16. ↑ "About Marquis Jet". Marquis Jet corporate web page. Retrieved 2010-06-03.
  17. ↑ "Plugged In: Jesse Itzler, entrepreneur". July 1, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  18. ↑ Maccabi USA website: Executive Committee retrieved January 15, 2013
  19. ↑ Atlanta Weddings (Atlanta Magazine): Spanx inventor Sarah Blakely on her wedding day" by Vikki Locke October 18, 2008
  20. ↑ The Wall Street Journal (New York): "A Day in the Life of Spanx's Founder Sara Blakely" by Christopher Ross August 14, 2014
  21. ↑ The Observe (London): "Sara Blakely: a woman with a great grasp of figures" by Zoe Wood March 10, 2012

External links