Someone once asked me, "What brings a nice guy from New York to Germany?" My answer then was simple: love. And it still is. My wife is German, and together we have three children, all proud citizens of both the US and Germany. Germany is an amazing country, with a fine cuisine, beautiful sights and high standard of living, but is underrated as a travel destination.
I’ve had the privilege of meeting incredible people across Europe since I left New York in 1984, boarding the Queen Elizabeth II with a one-way ticket to study in England. I eventually moved to Germany in 1989, just as the thrilling chapter of reunification was unfolding. I used to joke with fellow Americans that I was in “political exile,” though it doesn’t feel like much of a joke anymore. The seeds of democracy planted here by the US and its allies have flourished and borne remarkable fruit.
After earning a PhD in Literature in the UK, my career has taken me through a variety of industries: advertising (Ogilvy & Mather), internet (AOL), and private aviation (NetJets/Berkshire Hathaway). Today, I am on the advisory board of Lennertz & Co., a wealth management company.
Travel has always been a passion of mine, beginning with childhood adventures across Europe. My first trip to Paris was in 1968, followed by Italy in 1974. I spent five years in Cambridge and London, decades in Germany (Frankfurt and Hamburg), and recently, five wonderful years living in Lisbon, Portugal. Exploring Europe by car, train, jet and bike has been—and continues to be—a source of joy and inspiration for me.