 | This article has multiple issues. Please helpimprove it or discuss these issues on thetalk page.(Learn how and when to remove these messages) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
|
Jon S. Fossel | |
|---|---|
 Jon S. Fossel | |
| Member of theNew York State Assembly from the 93rd district | |
| In office January 1, 1979 – December 31, 1982 | |
| Preceded by | Mary B. Goodhue |
| Succeeded by | Eugene Levy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1942-02-07)February 7, 1942 (age 84) |
| Party | Republican |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Tufts University (BA) |
Jon S. Fossel, (born February 7, 1942), is an American former politician. He served in theNew York State Assembly representing the93rd district from 1979 to 1982 and was a candidate for Congress in1982.[1] Fossel's investment career included positions atCitiBank and serving as chairman and CEO ofOppenheimer Funds. He later co-founded the Jack Creek Preserve Foundation, an organization supportingwildlife conservation and education, as well as ethical hunting and land preservation initiatives.
Jon S. Fossel was born on February 7, 1942, one of five brothers. He grew up inNew York and completed his high school education atFox Lane High School inMount Kisco, New York. Fossel initially pursued a pre-med track when he started his higher education atTufts University. However, his interests shifted, leading him to major in economics, graduating in 1964.
Jon S. Fossel's political career was marked by his tenure as aRepublican member of theNew York State Assembly, representing the93rd district from 1979 to 1982.
His committee memberships included theWays and means committee, focusing on budgetary and financial matters, the Government Operations Committee, and the Urban Development Committee. In addition to his committee work, Fossel was also co-chairman of the freshman caucus withGeorge Winner.
Beyond his state legislative responsibilities, Fossel was involved in theInvestment Company Institute. He held multiple positions within the institute, including serving on the executive committee and the Board of Governors.
Fossel was a candidate forNew York's 20th congressional district in the1982 election. This campaign was a significant event not only for Fossel but also for the Republican Party, as highlighted in a New York Times article describing the race between Fossel andRichard Ottinger as a "major test" for theGOP.[1] Fossel was defeated by Ottinger.
Fossel was a senior vice president atCitibank in the 1970s.
Fossel joinedAlliance Capital Management around 1983, where he held the position of President of the mutual fund business.[2]
Fossel joinedOppenheimerFunds as president and Chief Operating Officer in 1987,[3] and by 1989, he had risen to the position of chairman and CEO.
In 1995, Fossel resigned from OppenheimerFunds to pursue other interests, including a potential foray into politics and public service.[4][5]
After retiring from Oppenheimer, Fossel became chairman of the board forUnum andNorthWestern Energy.[6]
Fossel's approach to investment, particularly in mutual funds, was characterized by a willingness to take contrarian positions. He believed in the strategy of going against the market trends, which he saw as a path to better returns. This approach was exemplified by his practice of moving his individual retirement account into the two OppenheimerFunds that had performed the worst in the previous year,[7] a strategy that he claimed consistently outperformed the average of their funds.[8]
Fossel has made contributions to wildlife conservation and education, particularly through the Jack Creek Preserve Foundation, which he co-founded with his then wife, Dottie Fossel.[9] The Foundation, established in 2005,[10] focuses on preserving wildlife and its habitat by educating youth about the importance of conservation. It manages a 4,500-acre preserve that acts as a migratory corridor between sections of theLee Metcalf Wilderness, contributing tobiodiversity and habitat maintenance.[11]
The Foundation's activities include hosting educational trips for students and outdoor camps that cover a range of activities, such as campfire building, archery, photography, astronomy, and fly fishing.[12] The Foundation offers scholarships for students pursuing environmental and conservation-oriented studies.[13]
Fossel promotesconservation easements on his land.[14] He has donated hunts to organizations, helping to raise funds for conservation efforts.[15]
Fossel was on the Board of Directors of theRocky Mountain Elk Foundation from 1998 to 2003.[16] The Foundation's mission is to ensure the future ofelk, other wildlife, their habitat, and hunting heritage.
Fossel is an avid bow hunter, who has hunted everyBig 5 inAfrica. In addition to visiting Africa 28 times, Fossel has hunted 16 different species inNorth America, including over 100deer.[15]
Fossel also fishes.[17]
Fossel married Dorothy Mead in 1965, and the couple have two children.
In 2010, Fossel married Siri Campbell.[18]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)