HOWARD SMITH BIO:

Mr. Smith is Vice Chairman-Finance of C.V. Starr & Co., Inc. and a Director of Starr International Company, Inc.

Previously, Mr. Smith was Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of American International Group, Inc. where he was responsible for AIG's Treasury, Investor Relations, Credit & Market Rick Management functions, in addition to the Comptroller's Department.

Prior to joining AIG, he spent 19 years with Coopers & Lybrand and was the Partner in charge of the Firm's New York Office insurance practice.

Mr. Smith earned his B.B.A. degree in accounting from the City College of New York in 1965 and was one of the North American representatives on the Insurance Working Group of the International Accounting Standards Board.

Mr. Smith is the Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Weissman Center for International Business of Baruch College and previously was a Trustee at Hofstra University.

CONGRATULATIONS RONALDO STERN!

A profile of Ronaldo Stern was written up for the HauteLiving Blog!

I hope you get a chance to read the article below:

http://www.hauteliving.com/blog/online-exclusive-haute-profile-of-ronaldo-stern-ceo-of-h-stern-jewelers/

JANUARY 20th FORUM

MYNEWCONNECTION is proud to announce its second forum

Wednesday, January 20th at 7:00 – 9:00

The Presidents Room at the New York Athletic Club

180 Central Park South, New York, New York 

Featuring Howard Smith

Director and Vice Chairman Finance of CVstarr - a privately-held company with insurance agencies and a portfolio of global investments.

Formerly CFO of AIG - American International Group

Cost: $30 

Includes:

7:00 - 8:00 - Openbar Reception

8:00 - 9:00  -  Forum  

Dress Code: Business attire, jeans and sneakers are NOT allowed 

Please RSVP by January 11th e-mail Mynewconnection@gmail.com 

CHANGE:

I was leaving a meeting today, and I overheard a young girl talking in the elevator. She said, “ I don’t stress about things I cannot control.”

One of the fundamental rules is that change is inevitable. Change is accelerating due to technology and most recently due to shortcomings in the economic system.

This is affecting every aspect of our lives especially so in a particular sector I am interested in -- the creation and distribution of media content. Technology has radically changed how media is accessed, and we must recognize the important changes that are being affected by it. Anyone interested in this field has to understand the new landscape and adapt to it.

We have no control over these external forces, and it is important that we do not waste our energy stressing about things we have no control over. What we can do is work on those things we do have control over. 

ARE WE LOST?

Sometimes everyone feels lost. For different reasons, we feel we are adrift and unable to get a true bearing of where we want to go. This feeling is accentuated in times like this where there is economic stress and many people worry about jobs and income. Our nature is to generally be optimistic about the future and to plan accordingly. Since the present is ever fleeting, ironically we are always thinking about the future. 

We should ask ourselves if we are happy with the way things are now in our lives. If the answer is yes, then you are very fortunate. But for the vast majority of us, we are often filled with doubt. Most people are never certain of what they want and because of this, they fall prey to what they think they want, what their parents want, or what somebody wants for them and so they spend their time chasing goals that make other people happy but not themselves.

Instead, is it important to focus your energy and thoughts of what is really important to you and by striving to achieve this, you will increase your opportunity to happiness.

It is a liberating experience to be certain about anything especially what it is that will make you most happy, and as long as it doesn’t decrease someone else’s happiness, you should pursue it!

I hope the monthly forums will be helpful. Good luck!