Gary L. Shapiro

Gary L. Shapiro, a Rider trustee for seven years, has been an entrepreneur and private equity investor since 1981. He currently serves as president of Tropico Management, LP, a private equity and management company which, with its predecessor companies, has invested in more than 30 businesses over a 26-year period. Current investments include: a national health care and specialty pharmacy company for patients with bleeding disorders; and Bulova Technologies, a technology company (formerly a Bulova Watch Company subsidiary) that manufactures and assembles specialty parts for the military and commercial sectors; and other investments in various industries. From 1972 to 1979, he practiced public accounting and was a partner in the firm Mailman, Ross, Toyes and Shapiro, CPA. In 1980, he founded Machine Tool Finance Corporation, which became a nationwide finance company providing financing for industrial machine tools, and is currently part of a major U.S. bank. In 1998, Shapiro received the Life Achievement Award from Rider University’s College of Business Administration for his leadership, professional achievements and dedication to the University. He and his wife, Stacy, live in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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