Morton Mandel Leaves Lasting Impact on Cleveland

Morton Mandel was a true visionary who left an indelible mark on Cleveland. He was a renowned philanthropist and entrepreneur who made a lasting impact on the city.

As a successful businessman, Mandel co-founded the Premier Industrial Corporation, a leading manufacturer of industrial equipment. His entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas helped drive the company's growth and success.

Mandel's philanthropic efforts were equally impressive, with a focus on education and the arts. He and his wife, Barbara, donated millions to various causes, including the Cleveland Institute of Art and the Mandel JCC.

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Morton Mandel was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to a Jewish family. His mother, Rose, immigrated to the United States from Galicia with her children in 1920.

Growing up, Mandel shared a room with his two brothers and wore hand-me-downs due to their family's financial difficulties. His father, Simon, had already immigrated from Poland in 1913 and his mother's family followed later.

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Mandel started working after school at the age of 13, selling hot dogs, drinks, peanuts, and popcorn at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. He had to support his family financially, as his father suffered from multiple sclerosis.

After graduating from high school, Mandel attended the chemistry program at Adelbert College but dropped out in his second year to join his brothers' automotive parts shop, Premier Automotive Supply Company, which they had purchased from their uncle Jacob Mandel in 1940.

Mandel's family had to move several times due to financial difficulties, but his mother continued to give to charity despite their struggles.

Morton Mandel's business ventures began with his family's first business, Premier Automotive Supply Company, which his brothers Jack and Joe founded with a $900 savings and a $3,000 loan from their uncle in 1940.

He spent his early years working in the shop after school, learning the ins and outs of the business.

Morton's uncle, Jacob Mandel, played a significant role in their entrepreneurial journey, offering to sell his auto repair shop to Jack and providing a loan for inventory.

In 2003, Morton's private investment company, Parkwood Corporation, established Israel Equity Limited (IEL), with him serving as Chairman.

IEL aimed to contribute to Israel's industrial sector by buying and improving industrial companies, employing over 800 workers in total.

Morton invested in the hi-tech sector, starting with Medivent, the second hi-tech company in Israel, and later investing in Pontifax, a life science company, in 2011.

Through these investments, Morton demonstrated his ability to adapt to new industries and opportunities, expanding his business ventures beyond his family's original auto repair shop.

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Morton Mandel's philanthropic efforts are truly impressive. He received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy, a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding contributions to philanthropy.

Mandel's commitment to giving back to his community is evident in the numerous awards he received for his civic leadership. He was named Civic Leader of the Year in Cleveland, Ohio, and received the Charles Eisenman Award from the Cleveland Jewish Community Federation.

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Mandel's philanthropic work has been recognized globally. He received honorary doctorates from several universities, including Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, and Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Here are some of the universities that awarded Mandel honorary doctorates:

Mandel's philanthropic efforts have been recognized in various ways, including the Presidential Award for Private Sector Initiatives, which he received from President Ronald Reagan.

Morton Mandel, a renowned business leader, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, passed away on October 16, 2019, at the age of 98.

He was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Parkwood LLC, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, and also served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation.

Mandel was a dedicated public servant who believed deeply in the work of the Academy, and his generosity allowed the organization to establish a membership engagement program and further its impact.

With his brothers Jack and Joseph, Mandel founded the Premier Industrial Corporation, which later became one of the world's leading industrial parts and electronic components distributors.

He served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation from 1957 to 1996, when it merged with a British company.

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Morton Mandel was a prominent American businessman and philanthropist.

He was born in 1921 in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in a family of modest means.

Mandel's father was a tailor, and his mother was a homemaker.

He served in the US Army during World War II, where he was stationed in the Pacific.

Mandel earned a degree in business from the University of Cincinnati in 1947.

He married his wife, Barbara, in 1948, and they had four children together.

Mandel's business career began in the 1950s, when he started a small business that eventually grew into a successful manufacturing company.

The company, known as M.A. Mandel Company, specialized in producing metal parts for the automotive industry.

Mandel was a pioneer in the field of metal stamping and was known for his innovative approach to manufacturing.

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