About our founder
PAUL A. WILLAX
Naples, Florida
email: Willax@TheBrassTacks.com
"Experience is the best teacher;
shared experience is the best education"
EXECUTIVE
Electromedia Technologies Corporation Developer of audio, video, and distance learning technologies. (Founder & Chairman – 1963-present)
Brass Tacks Publishing Inc. Publisher of print, audio, and eBooks.(President - 2002-pres.)
Empire of America, FSB A $16 billion (asset) financial services holding company (Chairman of the Board, CEO, and principal shareholder 1967-89)
Gallery of Homes Inc. Real estate brokerage franchise company with 400+ franchisees (Chairman of the Board -1983-88)
Metroteller Systems Inc. The first shared, nationwide, electronic banking network serving 80 banks at over 1500 locations. (Founder, Chairman of the Board, - 1974-90)
New York State Legislature: Joint (Senate and Assembly) Committee on Commerce, Economic Development & Tourism (Executive Director - 1969-71)
Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce Fourth largest Chamber in the nation. (Director of Research & Education; Economist – 1961-1967)
ENTREPRENEUR / BUSINESS OWNER
Software Distribution Services Inc. / Ingram-Micro Wholesaler of computer software with over 25 billion in sales. (Founder, Owner & Director - 1978-85)
Algonquin Broadcasting Corp. Operator of two radio stations. (Founder, Owner & Director - 1978-85)
Kazoo Co. Inc. Manufacturer of musical instruments and stamped metal products. (Owner - 1972-85)
Center for Business Ownership Inc. Producer of seminars, publications & DVDs for business owners (Chairman - 1989-pres.)
Angert Auto Parts Inc. Wholesale and retail auto parts. (President, Owner & Director - 1979-85)
Suburban Woman Inc. Regional weekly newspaper. (Founder, Publisher - 1976-79)
Modern Tek Shops Inc. Regional chain of retail computer stores. (Founder, Owner and Director -1981-84)
Pathfinder Family of Mutual Funds Nationally marketed mutual funds. (Founder and Director - 1988-91)
Money Managers Club National customer loyalty/ CRM organization with 40,000+ members (Founder - 1968-85)
William Cadden & Co. Retail and institutional securities broker-dealer. (Chairman - 1981-86)
EDUCATOR
State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo NY
Chairman, Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership; Adjunct Professor; Senior Fellow in Entrepreneurship, Executive Director, University Technology Incubator; Coordinator of first distance learning program in 1961) (1961-1994)
Eastern Washington University, Spokane WA.
Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship and Professor of Management; Board member, Spokane Research & Technology Institute
American Management Association: Lecturer (1963-70)
WNED TV Community Educational Television: Producer / writer / instructor (1963-71)
WRITER / PRODUCER
Author of hundreds of articles and monographs and several books, including Brass Tacks Tips for Business Owners
Radio/television producer-writer-host for more than a dozen radio and television series including the nationally-syndicated series "PM Magazine" (Winner of "Freedom Foundation" Award) (1962-1990).
Brass Tacks Tips Bi-weekly nationally syndicated newspaper column on entrepreneurship (1993-pres.)
American Banker National daily banking paper. Columnist. (1976-89)
Buffalo Evening News Economic affairs columnist. (Winner of "Freedom Foundation" Award) (1974-76)
Business Briefs & UPDATE Fortnightly business commentary newsletters. (Editor - 1962-75)
CORPORATE DIRECTOR
International Life Insurance; New England Life Insurance; Adam, Meldrum and Anderson Inc (AM&A’s Department Stores); Sherwin Greenberg Productions Inc; Peter J. Schmitt Inc. (Bells Markets); Levy, King & White Advertising Inc.; Millard Fillmore Hospital; Smartline Telemarketing Inc.; Erie County Industrial Development Agency (Founder/Director); Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center. Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce.
EDUCATION
Canisius College, BS 1961; State University of New York at Buffalo, MBA 1967; Industrial College of the Armed Forces, 1962; New York University School of Public Administration 1966-67
MILITARY
Enlisted as a Private in the New York National Guard in 1957 and retired as Major General in 2007 with over fifty years of service and numerous commands, awards, and decorations; Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff to the Governor of New York; New York State Chairman of the U.S. Department of Defense Committee for the Support of the Guard and Reserve. Member, Royal Canadian Military Institute.
HONORS AND AWARDS
Doctor of Humane Letters Degree (LHD), Canisius College 1986
Doctor of Laws Degree (Honorary), Daemen College 1989
Media Advocate of the Year , U.S. Small Business Administration 1998
Outstanding Leadership Award, Financial Marketing Society of America 1976
Outstanding Young Man of America, Outstanding Americans Foundation 1970
Silver Medal Award, American Advertising Federation 1987
State of Israel's 40th Anniversary Medal 1987 (Only American Recipient)
MENSA
POLITICAL
Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives (1964); member of Jack Kemp's "kitchen cabinet” 1968-76); Student assistant for Richard Nixon (1960); Member of Governor’s (Hugh Carey) Council on State Priorities; vice chairman of Erie County Republican Party (1978-82).
PAUL A. WILLAX
Naples, Florida
email: Willax@TheBrassTacks.com
"Experience is the best teacher;
shared experience is the best education"
EXECUTIVE
Electromedia Technologies Corporation Developer of audio, video, and distance learning technologies. (Founder & Chairman – 1963-present)
Brass Tacks Publishing Inc. Publisher of print, audio, and eBooks.(President - 2002-pres.)
Empire of America, FSB A $16 billion (asset) financial services holding company (Chairman of the Board, CEO, and principal shareholder 1967-89)
Gallery of Homes Inc. Real estate brokerage franchise company with 400+ franchisees (Chairman of the Board -1983-88)
Metroteller Systems Inc. The first shared, nationwide, electronic banking network serving 80 banks at over 1500 locations. (Founder, Chairman of the Board, - 1974-90)
New York State Legislature: Joint (Senate and Assembly) Committee on Commerce, Economic Development & Tourism (Executive Director - 1969-71)
Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce Fourth largest Chamber in the nation. (Director of Research & Education; Economist – 1961-1967)
ENTREPRENEUR / BUSINESS OWNER
Software Distribution Services Inc. / Ingram-Micro Wholesaler of computer software with over 25 billion in sales. (Founder, Owner & Director - 1978-85)
Algonquin Broadcasting Corp. Operator of two radio stations. (Founder, Owner & Director - 1978-85)
Kazoo Co. Inc. Manufacturer of musical instruments and stamped metal products. (Owner - 1972-85)
Center for Business Ownership Inc. Producer of seminars, publications & DVDs for business owners (Chairman - 1989-pres.)
Angert Auto Parts Inc. Wholesale and retail auto parts. (President, Owner & Director - 1979-85)
Suburban Woman Inc. Regional weekly newspaper. (Founder, Publisher - 1976-79)
Modern Tek Shops Inc. Regional chain of retail computer stores. (Founder, Owner and Director -1981-84)
Pathfinder Family of Mutual Funds Nationally marketed mutual funds. (Founder and Director - 1988-91)
Money Managers Club National customer loyalty/ CRM organization with 40,000+ members (Founder - 1968-85)
William Cadden & Co. Retail and institutional securities broker-dealer. (Chairman - 1981-86)
EDUCATOR
State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo NY
Chairman, Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership; Adjunct Professor; Senior Fellow in Entrepreneurship, Executive Director, University Technology Incubator; Coordinator of first distance learning program in 1961) (1961-1994)
Eastern Washington University, Spokane WA.
Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship and Professor of Management; Board member, Spokane Research & Technology Institute
American Management Association: Lecturer (1963-70)
WNED TV Community Educational Television: Producer / writer / instructor (1963-71)
WRITER / PRODUCER
Author of hundreds of articles and monographs and several books, including Brass Tacks Tips for Business Owners
Radio/television producer-writer-host for more than a dozen radio and television series including the nationally-syndicated series "PM Magazine" (Winner of "Freedom Foundation" Award) (1962-1990).
Brass Tacks Tips Bi-weekly nationally syndicated newspaper column on entrepreneurship (1993-pres.)
American Banker National daily banking paper. Columnist. (1976-89)
Buffalo Evening News Economic affairs columnist. (Winner of "Freedom Foundation" Award) (1974-76)
Business Briefs & UPDATE Fortnightly business commentary newsletters. (Editor - 1962-75)
CORPORATE DIRECTOR
International Life Insurance; New England Life Insurance; Adam, Meldrum and Anderson Inc (AM&A’s Department Stores); Sherwin Greenberg Productions Inc; Peter J. Schmitt Inc. (Bells Markets); Levy, King & White Advertising Inc.; Millard Fillmore Hospital; Smartline Telemarketing Inc.; Erie County Industrial Development Agency (Founder/Director); Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center. Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce.
EDUCATION
Canisius College, BS 1961; State University of New York at Buffalo, MBA 1967; Industrial College of the Armed Forces, 1962; New York University School of Public Administration 1966-67
MILITARY
Enlisted as a Private in the New York National Guard in 1957 and retired as Major General in 2007 with over fifty years of service and numerous commands, awards, and decorations; Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff to the Governor of New York; New York State Chairman of the U.S. Department of Defense Committee for the Support of the Guard and Reserve. Member, Royal Canadian Military Institute.
HONORS AND AWARDS
Doctor of Humane Letters Degree (LHD), Canisius College 1986
Doctor of Laws Degree (Honorary), Daemen College 1989
Media Advocate of the Year , U.S. Small Business Administration 1998
Outstanding Leadership Award, Financial Marketing Society of America 1976
Outstanding Young Man of America, Outstanding Americans Foundation 1970
Silver Medal Award, American Advertising Federation 1987
State of Israel's 40th Anniversary Medal 1987 (Only American Recipient)
MENSA
POLITICAL
Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives (1964); member of Jack Kemp's "kitchen cabinet” 1968-76); Student assistant for Richard Nixon (1960); Member of Governor’s (Hugh Carey) Council on State Priorities; vice chairman of Erie County Republican Party (1978-82).
