BBA in Business Economics and MBA, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; studies at Harvard University, Stanford University and Brooklyn College. Formerly: Treasury Analyst, Ford Motor Company; Founder, own company, Mason Import-Export Services; 1982-88, special education teacher in New York City school system, gained insight into how to motivate tough students teaching them how to run a business; created programme to bring entrepreneurial education to low-income youth; 1987, helped form National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, now Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. Recipient of numerous awards including: Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award; National Director's Entrepreneurship Award.