Draft:George W. Schaeffer
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George W. Schaeffer (born in Hungary, 1950s) is a Hungarian-American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and business leader. He is best known as the founder of OPI Products, Inc., one of the world's leading nail care companies, and the President and CEO of People's Trust Insurance Company, one of Florida's largest homeowner insurance providers. He is also Chairman of the Board of the Bnai Zion Foundation and the founder of the George and Irina Schaeffer Foundation, which supports health, education, and humanitarian causes globally.
Early Life and Education
[edit]George W. Schaeffer was born in Hungary to Holocaust survivor parents. In 1956, following the Hungarian Revolution, his family immigrated to the United States and settled in New York City. These formative experiences instilled in Schaeffer a deep work ethic and strong sense of social responsibility.[1] He graduated from the City College of New York in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management.
Business Career
[edit]Garment Manufacturing and Early Entrepreneurship
[edit]Schaeffer began his professional journey in the family garment business in New York, where he gained hands-on experience in operations and management.[1]
OPI Products, Inc.
[edit]In 1981, Schaeffer moved to Los Angeles and acquired Odontorium Products Inc., a dental supply business. Noticing that nail technicians were using dental acrylics, he pivoted the business to create custom nail products, founding OPI Products. Under his leadership, OPI became a global leader in the professional nail care industry, recognized for innovative formulations and iconic color names such as Big Apple Red and Alpine Snow. Schaeffer emphasized a family-like company culture and often provided scholarships and resources to employees' families.[2][1][3]
George W. Schaeffer's influence in the beauty industry is widely acknowledged, particularly for transforming OPI from a niche dental product company into a globally recognized professional nail care brand. Under his leadership, OPI became a staple in salons and retail outlets worldwide, pioneering both product innovation and branding techniques that are now standard in the cosmetics industry. The company was among the first to develop seasonal color collections and creative product names that linked beauty products to cultural and fashion trends, setting a new benchmark for marketing in the beauty sector.
He sold OPI to Coty, Inc. in 2010.[2]
Aloxxi
[edit]After the OPI sale, Schaeffer acquired Aloxxi, a professional hair color brand, further cementing his influence in the beauty industry.[1][4][5]
People's Trust Insurance Company
[edit]In 2008, Schaeffer co-founded People's Trust Insurance Company (PTI) in Deerfield Beach, Florida.[6] He became its full-time CEO in 2014. PTI is known for its innovative approach to homeowners insurance, providing affordable coverage and integrated repair services via its affiliate contractor. Schaeffer formed an executive team that implemented new risk management strategies, which significantly reshaped PTI's portfolio.[7][1]
PTI was recognized with the Enterprise Florida Innovators in Business Award in 2013.[1]
Philanthropy
[edit]Beyond his corporate achievements, Schaeffer's philanthropic reach reflects a long-standing commitment to civic engagement. His support for digitizing the USC Shoah Foundation's archive and his multi-million-dollar gifts to Cedars-Sinai's Smidt Heart Institute have contributed to both the preservation of Holocaust memory and advancements in medical research. These contributions underscore a pattern of sustained, mission-driven giving rather than isolated acts of charity, further strengthening his public profile as a notable figure in both American industry and philanthropy.[2]
George and Irina Schaeffer Foundation
[edit]In 2009, Schaeffer and his wife Irina established the George and Irina Schaeffer Foundation. The foundation supports a broad range of initiatives, including:
- Scholarships and financial aid
- Medical research
- Educational institutions
- Jewish cultural programs
- Music conservatories and hospitals
Notable beneficiaries include the American Heart Association, the Leukemia Research Foundation, the National Lung Association, and the USC Shoah Foundation.[1][7]
In 2013, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Hungary awarded Schaeffer its highest honor, the Senate Medal, for funding access to the Visual History Archive of the Shoah Foundation for faculty and students.[2]
Bnai Zion Foundation
[edit]Schaeffer serves as Chairman of the Board of the Bnai Zion Foundation,[8] an organization that supports critical infrastructure in Israel. Under his leadership, the foundation established the George W. Schaeffer Music Conservatory in Ma'ale Adumim (2013) and the George and Irina Schaeffer Cultural Center (2017).[1]
In addition to their global philanthropic activities, George and Irina Schaeffer have been longstanding supporters of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Over the past 15 years, the couple has donated $20 million to the institution's Smidt Heart Institute, including a $10 million gift in 2011 that named the George W. Schaeffer Lobby inside the Susanne and Ervin Bard Pavilion. The donation followed George's own lifesaving quadruple bypass surgery in 1996. In 2019, they contributed an additional $10 million to create the Irina and George Schaeffer Cardiothoracic Surgery Fund and establish the Irina and George Schaeffer Distinguished Chair in Cardiothoracic Surgery, currently held by Dr. Joanna Chikwe. The Schaeffers have also supported other hospitals and medical causes across Southern California and Israel.[9][10]
Awards and Recognition
[edit]- Spirit of Life Award (2012) – City of Hope Cancer Center, honoring his philanthropic contributions
- Senate Medal, Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary (2013)[2]
- Business Leader of the Year – Florida Atlantic University College of Business (2024)[7]
Legacy and Public Statements
[edit]Schaeffer has been vocal about the importance of historical memory and social responsibility. In supporting the USC Shoah Foundation, he emphasized the need to combat hatred and promote empathy:
"A world that closes its eyes to hatred and bigotry is a world that has no future."[2]
He often cites the Martin Niemöller quote about remaining silent in the face of oppression as a personal guiding principle.
Schaeffer's work has been recognized not only by business institutions but also by academic and healthcare organizations. In 2024, he was named Business Leader of the Year by Florida Atlantic University's College of Business, an award that has historically honored figures with significant impact on Florida's economic landscape. He has also been honored by institutions such as Cedars-Sinai and Eötvös Loránd University for his philanthropic initiatives, which span healthcare, Holocaust education, and cultural preservation.[7]
Personal Life
[edit]George lives in Boca Raton, Florida, with his wife Irina. Together, they manage their foundation's philanthropic activities and remain deeply involved in cultural, educational, and humanitarian initiatives worldwide.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i "George Schaeffer - People's Trust Insurance". peoplestrustinsurance.com. 2021-12-09. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ a b c d e f "4th Floor: Capital Donor Bios | USC Shoah Foundation". sfi.usc.edu. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ "American Salon October 2012 Page 156". www.americansalondigital.com. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ "5 Questions with George W. Schaeffer". www.salontoday.com. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ "George's Corner". Aloxxi. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ partners.bizjournals.com https://partners.bizjournals.com/innovate-and-grow-in-south-florida/peoples-trust-insurance-transforming-the-property-insurance-industry/. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ a b c d "FAU Honors George W. Schaeffer as Business Leader of the Year | FAU Business". business.fau.edu. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ https://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResultDetail?inquirytype=OfficerRegisteredAgentName&directionType=Initial&searchNameOrder=SCHAEFFERGEORGEW%20F000000001892&aggregateId=fornp-f00000000189-8e8dc081-448e-4139-a2f9-4aa7de73f41f&searchTerm=Schaeffer%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20George%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20W&listNameOrder=SCHAEFFERGEORGEW%20F000000001892
- ^ "Giving From the Heart: Philanthropists Irina and George Schaeffer". Giving From the Heart: Philanthropists Irina and George Schaeffer. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ^ "Generous Gift to Name Lobby of Newest Building at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center". Generous Gift to Name Lobby of Newest Building at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Retrieved 2025-06-23.