Early Life
Leslie Lee Alexander was born in New York City on June 30, 1943, to a Jewish family. He graduated from New York University with a bachelor's degree in economics in 1965. He later earned his Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
Rise to Success
Alexander's career began as an attorney. He started his professional trading career by trading options and bonds for Lawrence Kotkin Associates, a Wall Street firm. In 1980, he founded his own investment company, The Alexander Group. In 1993, Alexander purchased the Houston Rockets for $85 million. The team, led by Hakeem Olajuwon, won back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. In 2017, he sold the Rockets for $2.2 billion.
Key Business Strategies
A key business strategy for Alexander was his investment in the Houston Rockets, which proved to be highly successful. He also invested in student loans through First Marblehead. Alexander demonstrated an ability to identify and invest in assets that could yield significant returns.
Philanthropy
Alexander is involved in various philanthropic endeavors. In 2017, he pledged $10 million to 20 Houston charities, including the Houston Area Women's Center, Houston Public Library Foundation, Healthcare for the Homeless – Houston, and Citizens for Animal Protection. He also supports animal rights and is a vegetarian. His family's philanthropy also made donations to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
