Lewis Jaffe

All businesses are the same; they exist for the sole purpose of “gaining and retaining customers, profitably, in order to create stakeholder value.”

Lew Jaffe is a former CEO. In his career he has created over $1,000,000,000 in shareholder value, either as a Chief Executive or board member where designed and executed successful exit strategies.

Since 2013 he has been a Clinical Professor At Loyola Marymount University, and won professor of the year in his second year of teaching. Currently, he is on the Board of Reed’s Inc (REED:NYSE), Fitlife Brands (FTLF:OTCBB) and Yorktel Corporation. Lew served for 8 years as the lead independent director on the board of; Benihana Inc. (BNHN:NASDAQ) and led the go private transaction prior to his leaving the board, with an expertise in both Strategy and Tactics as well as Corporate Governance. As part of his Board duties, Lew has led special committees for boards that were formed to: explore strategic alternatives, options for capital raising, investigations on HR issues, insider trading allegations and strategic committees for the targeting of potential acquisitions.

Prior to joining the faculty at LMU, he was the Co-Founder of MoviMe Network, the world’s first ultra-fast download service Hollywood Content. MoviMe can be found in airports on the WiFi networks as well there is an internet-based store for mobile device users. He was the Chief Executive of Oxford Media Inc., a Video on Demand and High-Speed Internet Access Company delivering content and services to the hospitality industry where he grew the Company to the second largest VOD provider in the segments they served while adding high margin services to the same customers. Prior to that, Lew was COO of Verso Technologies where he integrated numerous acquisitions that were made prior to his tenure while creating product bundles with in-house technology as well as developing strategic partners with other technology providers. Lew is now considered the “Godfather” of video conferencing as the Chief Executive of, PictureTel Corporation, a $500 million, NASDAQ-listed Videoconferencing Company. His patent portfolio consists of Video Compression and Content Delivery intellectual property. He also was the managing director of Arthur Andersen’s Corporate Finance practice in Boston where he managed over 20 client engagements in multiple industries designing turnaround and growth plans as well as guiding M&A activity.

Lew’s greatest strengths include leadership, vision and building plan that teams can execute with great success. He is a customer focused leader that understands complex market dynamics, the intricacies of distribution channels and maximizing corporate assets including human capital and leveraging a balance sheet. Lew’s focus is on business to business companies but also has experience with business to consumer. Much of his concentration has been in telecommunications, manufacturing, media/content delivery, and distribution of B2B and B2C products, disposables through capital goods. He also has significant experience with M&A activity and post transaction integration.

He is and sought after public speaker on various topics, including; Leadership, Management, Strategic Planning and Problem Solving, Convergence in Telecom and Corporate Renewal.

In his personal life, Lew is a philanthropist, donating time and money to numerous charities. He was President of the Board of Director for Providence Speech and Hearing and still sits on their board. It is a not for profit organization 501(c)3 focused on “Enriching life through the gift of speech and hearing”. He is also involved with the Water Buffalo Club which is dedicated to helping “at risk” youth in the Los Angeles area and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Mr. Jaffe has been a guest on numerous business shows for CNBC, MSNBC and ABC, and has been quoted in a variety of business and trade publications including Forbes Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Business Week and the Boston Globe.

Additionally, Lew is a YPO resource as well as a former member of YPO New England Chapter and currently YPOG Santa Monica Bay Chapter. He has also served as both Education and Chapter Chairman.

Lew’s education includes: University of Pennsylvania, LaSalle University and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. Additionally, he holds his Masters Certification in Public Company Directorship from the American College of Public Company Directors