It has been said that one of the most important goals of
education is the fostering of intelligence and character. Lewis S.
Ranieri is an inspirational reflection of that powerful
combination.
Educated at St. Rita’s Elementary School and St. John’s
University, Ranieri credits his Catholic education with providing
the integrity and moral grounding he needed to face the dilemmas
that arose throughout his stellar business career. He firmly
believes that a Catholic education is an essential ingredient to
one's spiritual maturity, and provides the religious foundation and
moral framework that becomes the basis upon which all of life's
decisions are made.
A gifted and insightful business professional, he began his
career at Salomon Brothers, where the Wall Street Journal called
him a “star bond trader” who rose through the ranks to become
Salomon’s Vice Chairman and a “pioneer” in the mortgage
securitization (a word he is credited with inventing) industry. He
is currently Chairman and President of Ranieri & Co., Inc., a
private investment advisor and management corporation. He is also
Founder and Chairman of Ranieri Partners Management LLC and its
investment management companies focused on financial service
opportunities.
His business success is well documented. In November, 2004,
Business Week named him one of "the greatest innovators of the past
75 years," and in 2005 he received the Distinguished Industry
Service Award from the American Securitization Forum. His
well-deserved reputation as an expert and innovator in both the
mortgage and capital markets is reflected in his participation on
the National Association of Home Builders Mortgage Roundtable
continuously since 1989; his induction into the National Housing
Hall of Fame; and his receipt of the Lifetime Achievement Award
given by the Fixed Income Analysts Society, Inc. (FIASI).
In 1987, St. John’s recognized him with an honorary Doctor of
Laws degree.
His business success is matched by his personal dedication to
serving others. Deeply committed to the support of Catholic
education, Ranieri is Chairman of the Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation,
which he established in 2005 at the request of Bishop William
Murphy of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Since its inception he
has been the driving force behind the Foundation’s mission to
foster the excellence and ensure the continuance of Catholic
schools on Long Island. His leadership and dedication n have
resulted in scholarships for thousands of families seeking a
Catholic education for their children.