Billionaire industrialist and philanthropist Alex Rovt (left) made news in April 2012 when he bought New York City’s iconic, ziggurat-topped Bankers Trust Building at 14 Wall Street in an all-cash transaction of $303 million. Rovt offered his insights into strategic real estate investing in a conversation entitled “Buying In on Wall Street” at Baruch last January. Rovt is the president and CEO of IBE Trade Corporation and one of the 400 wealthiest Americans as recognized by Forbes.
Summarizing the event, Jack S. Nyman, executive director of the Steven L. Newman Real Estate Institute and event moderator, noted Rovt’s candidness and “poignant concern for the well-being of the next generation.” Rovt, recounted Nyman, “said that success takes a great deal of hard work and cautioned that the road traveled may be fraught with many twists and turns. He advised the many students in attendance: Be flexible, move ahead, and never let obstacles or challenges deter you from your goal.”
Part of the Zicklin School of Business, the Newman Institute was founded in 1996 with a gift from William (’47) and Anita Newman to honor their son.