Early Life
Stewart Allen Resnick was born on December 24, 1936, in New Jersey and later moved to California with his family in the 1950s. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1959 and a Juris Doctor degree from UCLA School of Law.
Rise to Success
Resnick's entrepreneurial journey began during law school when he founded a janitorial services company, which he sold in 1969. He acquired The Franklin Mint in 1986, serving as its CEO until 2006. Since 1979, he has been the president and chairman of The Wonderful Company, a privately held company. Under his leadership, The Wonderful Company has grown to include brands such as POM Wonderful, FIJI Water, Wonderful Pistachios, and Wonderful Halos. Stewart bought his first piece of California farmland in 1978 as a hedge against inflation.
Key Business Strategies
Resnick's business acumen is evident in his strategic acquisitions and brand building. By focusing on the agricultural industry, he and his wife Lynda have built a vast empire with diverse product offerings. They own a majority stake in the Kern Water Bank. They have expanded their operations, including growing, buying, and selling pistachios, thereby controlling a significant portion of the market.
Philanthropy
Stewart Resnick and his wife Lynda are committed philanthropists. They have invested over $2.5 billion in education, health, wellness, community development, and sustainability initiatives. Their notable donations include a $750 million endowment to the California Institute of Technology for climate research, and contributions to UCLA, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Hammer Museum.
