Lewis Katz was born in Camden, N.J., and grew up in the Parkside section of the city. He became a lawyer and businessman, making millions in parking lots (former owner of Kinney Parking Systems), billboards (former chairman of Interstate Outdoor Advertising), and sports (former principal owner of the New Jersey Devils and New Jersey Nets). He was the majority owner of five radio stations in Atlantic and Cape May counties. A noted philanthropist, he was the director of the Katz Foundation, which supports charitable, educational, and medical causes. To support pioneering medical research, Katz established an annual prize and endowed a visiting professorship in cardiovascular research at Columbia University. Katz established several programs to help children in his hometown including establishing the Boys and Girls Clubs of Camden. He pledged $25 million to his alma mater, Temple, making it the largest single donation in school history. Katz was a prominent donor to the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey and Congregation Beth El in Voorhees, N.J. Katz died when his private plane crashed upon takeoff in May 2014.

Intro/Acceptance Video