Alexander Cappello
Member Since
2009
Alexander L. Cappello (Gen Next Advisory Board) has led several public and private companies over the past 35 years, including Cappello Capital Corp. (Member NASD-SIPC), a global merchant bank, whose principals have conducted over $140 billion in transactions in over 50 countries. He is a Trustee of the University of Southern California (USC), a Director of RAND Corporation's Center for Middle East Public Policy and the Russia Forum, Director of California Republic Bank (largest capitalized bank in California history), Lead Director of The Cheesecake Factory, Inc. (NASDAQ) and formerly: Chairman of Intelligent Energy, PLC (London), a global technology leader in hydrogen fuel cells, Inter-Tel (NASDAQ), Geothermal Resources Intl. (AMEX), as well as a Director of Cytrx (NASDAQ), Genius Products (NASDAQ) and Koo Koo Roo, Inc (NASDAQ).
Board Positions Alexander is currently, or was previously, a member of the following boards of directors (partial list):
Business
- YPO International (Young Presidents Organization): Chairman of the International Board,
2003-2004/2004-2005
- Inter-Tel (NASDAQ): former Chairman of the Board
- California Republic Bank: Co-Founder, Board Member
- Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ): Lead Independent Director
- NCT Ventures: Advisory Board
- Intelligent Energy Holdings plc (London): former Chairman, Director
- Geothermal Resources International (AMEX): former Chairman, Director
- Arcus Data Security, Inc. (NASDAQ): former Board Member
- Koo Koo Roo, Inc. (NASDAQ): former Board Member
- CytRx Corporation (NASDAQ): former Board Member
- Advanced Biotherapy, Inc. (OTC): former Chairman, Director
- Benitec, Ltd. (ASX – Sydney, Australia): former Board Member
- Australian Cancer Ltd. (ASX - Sydney, Australia): former Board Member
- Genius Products, Inc. (NASDAQ): former Board Member
- Patriot Defense Group: Advisory Board
Education/Forgeign Policy
University of Southern California (USC)
- University Trustee
- Alumni Association Board of Governors: Past President
- Alumni Presidents Council: Chairman
- Marshall School Board of Leaders: Board Member
- Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute Board: Board Member
- Marymount College of Palos Verdes: Board of Trustees Vice Chairman
- RAND Corporation
- CMEPP (Center for Middle East Public Policy): Board Member
- The Russia Forum: Board Member
- Pacific Council on International Policy (PCIP): Executive Committee, Board Member
- Council on Foreign Relations (Washington, DC, New York): Lifetime Member
Cultural and Other Nonprofit
- City of Hope: Board of Trustee, Chairman - Investment Committee
- Jordan River Foundation (Amman, Jordan): Board of Trustee
- Biller Family Foundation: Board Member
- Friends of Florence (Florence, Italy): Board Member
- ALS Therapy Development Foundation: Board Member
Alexander is an active member of the World Presidents Organization (WPO) and Chief Executive Officers Organization (CEO). He was an active member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), an exclusive global network of corporate presidents under the age of 55 and served as the only two term (2003-2004, 2004-2005) International Chairman. YPO, founded in 1950, has a membership of over 11,000 CEO members organized in 200 chapters in 101 countries. He was a founding charter member and Chairman of the Santa Monica Bay and Bel Air Chapters, and a co-founder of the Malibu, Portugal, Russia and Beijing chapters. He also was Chairman of the International Executive Committee (2001-2002), Chairman Global Leadership Conference (2000) and Chairman at the Conference on Mergers, Acquisitions and Finance and Investing. He was Co-Chairman of the PIPES conference in New York and the Undervalued Public Company Conference for the Strategic Research Institute (SRI) in Chicago.
Alexander has been a guest lecturer at the USC, UCLA and Harvard Business Schools as well as numerous YPO, WPO, YEO and CEO International Universities and business conferences. He has been a guest speaker at University and business conferences in the following countries: the U.K., Scotland, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Russia, Poland, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Dubai, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Mexico, China, Taiwan, Japan, Canada, and the United States. Mr. Cappello has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, FORBES, Dow Jones, the Los Angeles Times, and the New York Times. He is a contributing author of the recently published book, The New Investor Relations (Bloomberg PRESS). He is also a contributing author of two books published and globally distributed by YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) titled, Get Connected and Making a Difference.
Alexander received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Marshall School of Business at USC in 1977 with honors, including recognition as an "Order of the Palm" scholar. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Goodwin College in Stamford, Connecticut and has been inducted in the Order of Honorary Fellows at Marymount College in Palos Verdes, California. Alexander gave the commencement address to the Marshall School of Business graduates at USC in June 2008.
A California-native, Alexander was born in Bakersfield and has lived in Los Angeles, New York, London, and Geneva. In his free time, he enjoys travel, world affairs, art and culture; collecting fine wines, antiques and books; and engaging in shooting, hunting, fishing and art preservation. Alexander was recently named Father of the Year by the American Diabetes Association and Recipient of the Robert Ross Founder’s Award by the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In 2006, YPO honored him by naming one of its highest global recognition awards the Alexander L. Cappello Annual Award. Catholic Big Brothers/Big Sisters also honored him at their 2002 gala. Alexander lives in Brentwood, California with his family.