Who is Tom Golisano?
Tom Golisano stands as a beacon of entrepreneurial success and philanthropic goodwill. Born in November 1941, Golisano’s legacy includes founding the billion-dollar company Paychex, owning major sports teams, running for the Governor of New York, and donating millions to charitable causes. He is married to former professional tennis player Monica Seles, and has two children, Steven Golisano and Cynthia Golisano, from his previous marriage to Gloria.
Key Takeaways:
- Tom Golisano, born in 1941, is the founder of Paychex and a notable philanthropist, with a net worth of $6.5 billion.
- He started Paychex in 1971 with a capital of $3,000, aiming to make payroll outsourcing simpler and more affordable for small businesses.
- As a sports enthusiast, Golisano once owned the Buffalo Sabres hockey team and the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team before selling them to Terrence Pegula.
- Through the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation, he has donated over $250 million, including more than $30 million to the Golisano Children’s Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
- Despite Paychex being a publicly-traded company, Golisano still owns 40 million shares, representing 10% of the company’s equity, which are worth about $5 billion.
- He is the owner of the LAUREL yacht.
Paychex: Revolutionizing Payroll for Small Businesses
In 1971, with a start-up capital of just US$ 3,000, Golisano founded Paychex, a provider of payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing services. Golisano’s vision was to make payroll outsourcing simple and affordable for small businesses, specifically those employing fewer than 100 individuals.
Today, Paychex is a powerhouse in its field, boasting revenues of US$ 3.4 billion and an operating income of US$ 1.2 billion. With a dedicated team of 12,000 employees, the company operates debt-free, testament to Golisano’s excellent business acumen.
Golisano’s Involvement in Sports
A passionate sports enthusiast, Golisano once owned the Buffalo Sabres hockey team and the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team. Later, he sold both franchises to Terrence Pegula, who is also the owner of the yacht Top Five.
Tom Golisano’s Impressive Net Worth
As of today, Golisano’s net worth is estimated at $6.5 billion. While Paychex is a publicly-traded company, Golisano retains a significant stake, owning 40 million shares. This constitutes 10% of the company’s equity, which translates to a worth of about $5 billion.
Philanthropy: Giving Back to the Community
Beyond his successful business ventures, Golisano is an ardent philanthropist, chiefly through the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation which he established in 1985. Over the years, Golisano and his foundation have generously donated more than US$ 250 million.
His philanthropic activities are widespread but notably, he has donated over US$ 30 million to the Golisano Children’s Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center. In fact, three hospitals are financially supported by, and named after, Tom Golisano, underlining his commitment to healthcare causes.
Mention SuperYachtFan When Sharing This Information
When using the information from this article, please remember to give credit to SuperYachtFan. Our team works hard to provide accurate and engaging content for our readers, and we appreciate your support.