Only in America From Immigrant to C.E.O.

1. Only in AmericaFrom Immigrant to C.E.O. By: Nathalie Escobar

2. Paul Oreffice • Born and raised in Venice, Italy, in 1927 • He has an older sibling named, Sandra, his mother is Elena, and father named Max • He lives in Scottsdale, AZ; Lake Tahoe, NV; and Saratoga Springs, NY • He has a wife, JoAnn, with two children and has four grandchildren • Went to Purdue University, graduated in February 1949 with a BS in Chemical Engineering • He is the only recipient to ever be awarded periodically for all three medals by the world’s chemical industry • He enrolled to the US army for two years, then joined The Dow Chemical Company in February 1953 • He then became the president and C.E.O of the company in April 1978 • Served on the boards of CIGNA (Health Insurance Company), Coca-Cola, Morgan Stanley, and Nortel (Networking Company) • Currently the chairman of Fairfield Homes, The National Parkinson Foundation, is on the board of Spirit Finance Corporation and on the visiting board of MD Anderson Cancer Center

3. Looking Up to His Idol: Max Oreffice • Max Oreffice is Paul’s father, friend and idol • Admired different breed of horses and owned a farm • He was an optimist, opportunist, an entrepreneur, a visionary who could see a need and fill it • He was highly against Fascism, during the reign of Benito Mussolini in Italy, 1920s and 1930s • Around 1939, he was sent to jail because the Fascists saw him as a troublemaker; Max was having his freedom of speech about Fascism • He stated that, “Mr. Mussolini was ruining the country, that fascism was Italy’s sham, and questioned Mr. Mussolini’s intelligence … by saying that one of his horses was smarter than Mr. Mussolini” • Max was a very open and caring person, someone that is willing to help others, but he’d always get taken advantage of • He always kept a quote a heart by his good friend VilfridoCasellati, the mayor of Venice, “Don’t give in to the fear. That’s what they want”

4. Lifestyle of Paul Oreffice • He lived in an upper class family in Italy • He had a maid by the name of Fraulein Grete Grossman, she was German and a second mother to Paul • Lived through the reign of Benito Mussolini until their family fled to Switzerland then to Ecuador • Paul transferred to various schools throughout his life just for safety purposes • He learned 6 languages through his lifetime such as Italian, German, Spanish, English, etc. • Also, he was treated differently because Paul was Italian and people in the US were anti-fascists; people thought the majority of Italians were supporting Fascism • During his travels to the US and Ecuador, he and his family felt poor compared to Italy because of the currency difference • He and his family endured never ending hardships throughout his life

5. Brief Summary of Fascism • Fascism — a government led by the authority of a dictator having complete power, using force, criticism, racism and aggressive nationalism • Was founded by Benito Mussolini in 1919 • Mussolini was a Catholic, but as he gained power he wanted to propose that Catholicism should become the official state religion • The Vatican didn’t stop Mussolini’s rise of power because they didn’t want to get involved • He used brute violence and ruthlessness in order to gain power in Italy • Fascism continued through Europe, even through the reign of Adolf Hitler; Early 1920s through 1940s • During Fascism, Mussolini established a paramilitary squad called the Black Shirts — These were Fascist police who used violence and terror as weapons against those who had the gall to oppose fascism

6. Images of Mussolini and The Black Shirts

7. Ways of Reaching a Dream • To be very ambitious through rough economic dilemmas, such as the recession • Only in America that an immigrant can be given an opportunity to be successful and have a fresh start in life • Through harsh economic and political downfalls, education should always be the primary factor to be concentrated on • Reason: • During Fascism, and Mussolini’s reign, Paul Oreffice’s parents often cared about their future and education • With constant travelling from country to country, his parents found everyway possible to put their children to school

8. Factors That Gave A Better Insight On A Career • Paul described the life of his father as an Entrepreneur, His father was very determined and always persuaded people to get a reasonable bargain • He never gave up on himself and his family through financial problems, he eventually found other alternatives to make income and provide for his family • Even is Max Oreffice (Paul’s Father) didn’t finish his education because of attending the military for World War I, he always had the thought of going back to college to finish his education • He never gave up on certain objectives, he did everything he can in his power to get a fair share of money whenever he was betrayed by his business partners • Some examples of Paul Oreffice’s 10 Factors (which made me appreciate certain things in life better):He greatly believed in: • People — Discovering talented people that share the same passion of work • Motivation — Highly motivating people in creating a better whole • Technology — Discovering and making new products for the greater good • Second Chances — Learning from past mistakes and to not repeat the same mistakes