Amos Z. A. Bergner

I was fortunate in being allowed to attend CCNY tuition-free. As a 17-year-old boy living alone in New York, there was no other college I could afford. The studies were challenging and rewarding. Working in part-time jobs throughout the school year and full-time jobs on my summer vacations kept me very busy. I found the time to make good friends and participate in some extracurricular activities within Hillel, the Jewish students' organization. I ended up with a bachelor's in economics and graduated magna cum laude. As I was originally from Israel, I returned to Israel after graduation in 1956 and enlisted in the Israeli Army. After my military service, I started working as a financial analyst and ended up in the banking industry. In 1978 I was sent by Bank Leumi, Israel's largest commercial bank, to the United States to manage their subsidiary, Bank Leumi Trust Company of New York. Six years later, I joined American Express, serving in several management positions until my retirement. From 1992 until 2006 I managed a money management company which I co-founded with other investors. I finally retired in 2006. In my retirement I enjoy pursuing my long time hobby of photography in the company of my wife of 56 years, my three grown children, and five beautiful grandchildren. I owe the City of New York and CCNY thanks and appreciation for making all of this possible.