Orange County, California Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Gilbert Edward LeVasseur Jr. to Receive 2015 Horatio Alger Award

USA - English

• USA - English

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, today announced that Gilbert Edward LeVasseur Jr., chairman and CEO, LeVasseur Capital Partners, LLC, has been selected for membership in the prestigious organization.  Mr. LeVasseur joins eleven other accomplished business and civic leaders from across North America in receiving this honor in 2015.  Since its establishment in 1947, the Horatio Alger Award is annually bestowed upon renowned leaders who have succeeded, despite facing adversity, and who are committed to philanthropy and higher education.

Raised in Los Angeles, Mr. LeVasseur's family struggled financially – their small, two-bedroom home often housed up to nine people, with aunts and cousins frequently coming and going.  At age 10, Mr. LeVasseur began earning money by mowing lawns and cleaning windows and by age 14, he had secured a regular job making hardware for a casket-builder.  He was the first person in his family to attend college, receiving a degree in finance from the University of California at Los Angeles and later, his MBA from the University of Southern California.  His career in investing began at the American Investment Counseling Company, and in 1970, he made his first acquisition when he purchased a small, struggling specialty food processing company.  With the excess cash flow, he, along with another investor, acquired control of a publicly traded company, which he transformed into a successful publishing business.  When that company was sold to American Broadcasting Company (ABC), Mr. LeVasseur stayed on to lead ABC's acquisition of five additional publishing companies.  After his tenure at ABC, he acquired another publishing firm, which he later sold for more than 30 times his initial investment.  Today, Mr. LeVasseur is living his lifelong dream, as he currently serves as chairman and CEO of his own investment management firm, LeVasseur Capital Partners.

"No individual better captures the power of the American Dream than Gil LeVasseur," said Tony Novelly, president and CEO, Horatio Alger Association and 2000 Horatio Alger Award recipient.  "Demonstrating an incomparable work ethic from a young age, Gil's personal perseverance and his unique ability to see opportunity where few others did set the stage for his exceptional professional success.  We proudly welcome him to the Association, and we look forward to further partnering with him on philanthropic endeavors, notably Simon Scholars."  

Mr. LeVasseur and his wife, Victoria, are dedicated philanthropists and support a variety of organizations.  He is a board member and benefactor to the Simon Foundation for Education and Housing, which, similar to Horatio Alger Association, supports children who have overcome adversity.  Mr. LeVasseur is currently a director emeritus of the board of trustees of the Orange County Museum of Art, and formerly served as president of the Laguna Art Museum.  He also supports the Orange County Performing Arts Center and the University of California at Irvine.

In accepting this honor, Mr. LeVasseur commented, "In spite of what some may say or believe, the American dream is not a myth or some relic of years gone by.  With hard work, perseverance, integrity and compassion you can achieve what might not seem possible.  If my story can inspire others to overcome adversity and achieve their potential, then I will feel even more fortunate.  As someone who values education so deeply, I am truly honored to be recognized by the Horatio Alger Association.  With such outstanding Members and such an admirable mission, I look forward to supporting the Association in its efforts to assist deserving young men and women across this nation by providing them resources and access to higher education." 

In addition to presenting its annual award, Horatio Alger Association administers one of the largest, privately-funded scholarship programs for students in the United States and Canada.  These students, like the Members, have faced significant adversities, but have persevered and are determined to overcome life's challenges.  Scholarships are wholly funded through private donations from Members, Life Partners and friends, and since 1984, the Association has provided more than $100 million to promising students in need.

Mr. LeVasseur and the Member Class of 2015 will be officially welcomed into the organization during the 68^th Annual Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C. April 9-11, 2015.  In addition to recognizing these tremendous leaders, Horatio Alger Association will also honor its 2015 National Scholarship recipients, affording both groups the opportunity to meet and learn from one another.

For more information about Horatio Alger Association and a full list of its Class of 2015, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:
Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., fulfills its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. Horatio Alger Association supports students through annual undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships and mentoring programs across the United States and Canada. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $100 million in college scholarships to deserving young people.  For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

CONTACT:
Meg Kane
484-385-2938 (office)
[email protected]

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SOURCE Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc.

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http://www.horatioalger.org