Ed Roski Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1938 (age 86–87) Oklahoma, United States |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Real estate development |
Edward P. Roski Jr. (born 1938) is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is abillionaire, president of Majestic Realty, and appeared at #115 on theForbes 400 in 2021,[1] and owns more than 83 million square feet of real estate across the United States, as abusiness park developer through his company.[1][2] Roski has served as its president since 1994, and previously as the executive vice-president andchief operating officer, from 1978 to 1994.[3] He is a partial owner of theLos Angeles Kings, and theLos Angeles Lakers, and owns theSilverton Las Vegas.[4] He is also a decorated veteran of theVietnam War and art collector.
Roski was born in 1938, inOklahoma.[5] His father Ed Roski Sr., was the son of a poor immigrant family fromPoland who did not finish high school.[6] Roski Sr. served in theUnited States Navy duringWorld War II,[6][7] then moved the family toSouthern California, where he founded Majestic Realty in 1948.[6] Roski Jr. attendedLoyola High School in Los Angeles, and graduated from theUniversity of Southern California in 1962, with a bachelor's degree in real estate and finance.[3][5][8] He joined Majestic Realty in 1966.[3]
Roski enrolled in theUnited States Marine Corps after graduating in 1962. After attendingThe Basic School atMarine Corps Base Quantico, he reported to theFirst Marine Brigade, and was later assigned to1st Battalion, 4th Marines.[7][9] In 1965, Roski was deployed fromMarine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay toSouth Vietnam. He was wounded inChu Lai duringOperation Starlite, and was awarded aBronze Star Medal and twoPurple Hearts.[5][8][9][10]
In 2000, GeneralJames L. Jones and theMarine Corps Scholarship Foundation honored Roski with itsSemper Fidelis award.[8][9] In 2007, Roski founded the Land of the Free Foundation to support war veterans and families, and he has contributed more than $10 million to its efforts.[8][10][11] In October 2017, Roski earned the Circle of Honor Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.[11][12][13]
Roski became a minority owner of the Los Angeles Kings in 1995 and a minority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1998.[12][14][15] Roski andPhilip Anschutz were majority owners of the Los Angeles Arena Company, looking to replace theGreat Western Forum for the Kings, and exercised an option to buy 25% of the Lakers, with the Lakers agreeing to become a tenant in the planned arena.[16] During his minority ownership, the Lakers wonNBA Championships in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010 and 2020;[15] and the Kings won theStanley Cup in 2012 and 2014.[14]
Roskiproposed a stadium in the Los Angeles suburb of theCity of Industry for aNational Football League team.[17] In 2010, the California legislature passed a bill that gave Roski an exemption to environmental review for the $800 million stadium proposal.[18] The deal was not completed, due to the announcement of theSoFi Stadium instead. Roski was also part of a $1 billion project to buildAllegiant Stadium for therelocated Oakland Raiders and theUNLV Rebels football teams,[19] but later pulled out of the project.[12]
Roski has served as chairman and a trustee on the University of Southern California board of directors. In 2006, he and his wife donated $23 million for its fine arts school, since renamed theUSC Roski School of Art and Design.[8][20][21] In 2016, Roski and his wife donated $25 million to the eye institute at theKeck School of Medicine of USC.[1][21][22] Roski set up the Majestic Realty Foundation in 2002, a community outreach program focusing on youth, family, education, health and violence prevention.[11] The foundation makes grants of over $2 million annually.[5]
Roski was married to Gayle Garner Roski until her death on October 21, 2020.[23] They had three children,[5] and resided inToluca Lake, Los Angeles.[12][17]
Roski has bicycled acrossIreland,Mongolia,Myanmar, andRussia.[5][9][10][18] He has visited the wreck of theRMS Titanic in a Russiansubmersible,[5][10][18] and gonedeep diving in waters offNew Guinea.[5][10] HisMountaineering ventures include base camp atMount Everest,K2, andMount Kilimanjaro.[5][9][10] He purchased ticket #128 onVirgin Galactic'sSpaceShipTwo.[18][24]
Roski is an honorary director ofThe Explorers Club,[10] and is part of theNational Geographic Society executive committee.[3][10] He has served on the boards of directors for theLos Angeles County Museum of Art, the Bowers Museum, theCalifornia Science Center, theNatural History Museum of Los Angeles County, theHouse Ear Institute, and Loyola High School.[3][5][9][10] Roski is a collector ofAfrican art,Indigenous Australian art, and Indigenouisms fromOceania.[5][10][18] He donated the"Spirits and Headhunters" exhibit, on display at theBowers Museum.[10]
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