Stephen M. Ross

Stephen M. Ross is a New York City-based real estate developer and is founder, chairman and CEO of The Related Companies, L.P. (TRC). He owns 50% of the Miami Dolphins NFL football franchise, and half of Dolphin Stadium, as of February 22, 2008. [ [http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7829172/Huizenga-to-sell-share-of-Dolphins FOX Sports report on Ross buying 50% stake in Dophins] ]

The developer of numerous high-profile projects in New York City and around the nation, TRC is best known for its historic 2.8 million-square-foot $1,700,000,000 Time Warner Center, which has transformed Columbus Circle into one of New York’s premier destinations.

Ross, co-chair of the University of Michigan's $2.5 billion fundraising campaign, which was completed 19 months early in May 2007 relative to an originally scheduled conclusion anticipated to be December 2008. He is currently serving on President Mary Sue Coleman's Advisory Group and the Director's Cabinet in the University’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Ross earned his degree in accounting in 1962 from the University of Michigan Business School, a Juris Doctor from the Wayne State School of Law in 1965. He earned a LLM degree in Taxation from the New York University School of Law (1966).

He began his career as a tax attorney at Coopers & Lybrand in Detroit, where he was born, and went on to become assistant vice president in the real estate subsidiary of Laird Inc. and in the corporate finance department of Bear Stearns, both in New York City.

Ross participates in many civic activities. He was on the executive committee of NYC2012, New York’s initiative to bring the summer Olympic Games to New York City eight years from now, which failed when London won instead. As a trustee of the Guggenheim Museum (NYC) Ross is involved in the planning for a major renovation of the Frank Lloyd Wright iconic building and other new museums. He is a member of the executive committee and board of directors of the Real Estate Board of New York, a trustee of the National Building Museum and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and longtime supporter of the UJA Federation of New York.

Among the many awards Ross has received are the Jack D. Weiler Award from the UJA of New York in 2003 and the New York Building Congress 80th Anniversary Leadership Award in 2001. He was named the 2001 honoree for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's annual Promise Ball, and earlier that year he received the Henry Pearce Award from the Jewish Association of Services for the Aged.

Ross was named Owner & Developer of the Year by "New York Construction News" in 2000. In 1999, he was honored by the Lincoln Center Real Estate and Construction Council and received the “What New York Needs” award presented by The Doe Fund. Ross received the "Tree of Life Award" in 1998 in recognition of outstanding community involvement and devotion to peace and the security of human life.

Ross is also the interim CEO and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Centerline Capital Group, a member of the Board of Directors of the Real Estate Board of New York, on the Board of Directors for the Guggenheim Museum and Equinox, a trustee of the National Building Museum and the Jackie Robinson Foundation, and a director of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

In 2004, Ross made the single largest contribution to the University of Michigan by donating $100 million to the school. The University renamed its business school, The Stephen M. Ross School of Business in his honor.

As of 2007 his estimated net worth according to the Forbes 400 list is $4.5 billion. [ [http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/54/richlist07_The-400-Richest-Americans_Rank_print.html Forbes List of Richest Americans] ]

Family

Stephen Ross and his wife Kara, an entrepreneur and jewelry designer, reside in New York with her two daughters from a previous marriage.

Kara, a certified gemologist, began designing fine jewelry over five years ago. She has been featured in top fashion magazines as well as a favorite to A-list celebrities as well as top young Hollywood fashionistas. Ross has become a designer that is known for her modern twist on luxury fashion.

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