5 years ago this week I retired from AOL
Posted on December 21, 2011I was concerned that I would have nothing to do - I was terrified of leaving the company that employed me for almost 14 years. In that 5 years since I retired from AOL I have: Acquired the Washington Wizards and Verizon Center; and spent more time with the Washington Capitals and Washington Mystics; Made 3 films; "Nanking";" Kicking It"; and " A Fighting Chance"; I am working on a 4th film now too; Founded SnagFilms; and acquired indieWIRE; Helped to start Revolution Money- served as its chairman; sold the company to American Express; now I serve on board of directors of American Express; Authored a book - "The Business of Happiness"; Invested in and became Chairman of Clearspring Technologies; still serve on their board; Invested in and serve on board and as Vice Chairman of Groupon; the company went public last month; it has a $14 billion market cap; Made 15 angel investments in some great start ups; all told; these startups and the companies that we sold have a combined value approaching a billion dollars; Became a partner in Revolution Growth Fund 2 - a $ 450 million " speed up capital" fund ; focused on East Coast startups; partnered with Steve Case and Donn Davis on this NEW fund; Bought a house - sold 2 houses; Worked with more than 400 charities via my Family Foundation; and Monumental Sports and Entertainment Foundations and SnagFilms; Serve on the board of directors of Georgetown University. It has been a nonstop hectic 5 years - some of the best and most productive and enjoyable years of my career and life. Retirement from a corporate career is nothing to be afraid of. Onward. Thank you.
