David Friedson

David Friedson, 58, passed away suddenly on February 11, 2014, in New York. David, who was born and raised in Miami, was a devoted husband and father, and had a long and illustrious career as a leading business executive, accomplished entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. From 1985 until 2005, David was President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Windmere Durable Holdings/Applica, Inc., a NYSE manufacturer and marketer of branded, licensed and private-label small household appliances, including a full range of Black and Decker branded household appliances that the company purchased from Black & Decker in 1998. Under David's leadership and vision, the company grew exponentially over that span into a prominent international sales and manufacturing company with domestic operations in North America, and internationally in Latin America, Hong Kong, China, Mexico and the Caribbean. It was also listed as one of Fortune Magazine's Fastest 100 Growing Companies in 1999. Throughout his career, David had many diverse business interests. He was, for instance, co-owner of the Charlotte Checker hockey team of the East Coast Hockey League, formerly a farm team of the Boston Bruins. He was also an investor in Books & Books, a well-known independent bookstore concern, based in South Florida. And, from 1990 to 2004, David served on the Advisory Board of the University of Miami School of Business. David had a life-long passion and concern for environmental issues. He was on the Board of the RPHP (Radiation for Public Health Project), a position he had held since 1996 and served as a founding Board member of STAR (Standing for the Truth about Radiation) from 1996 to 2002. David also had a keen interest in the arts in every form. He became an investor in theater and ultimately, an Associate Producer of several acclaimed Broadway productions, including: It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues (2000, four Tony Award Nominations including Best Musical); Dame Edna: The Royal (2000, Tony Award Winner - Best Live Theatrical Presentation) and Bill Maher: Victory Begins at Home (2003, Tony Award Nominee, Best Theatrical Special Event). He served as a Board member of Symphony Space, a performing arts organization on the upper west side of Manhattan. David was also a lover of good food. He helped launch a highly regarded gourmet Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles, Loteria Grill, which has expanded over the past decade to a chain of eight restaurants, including two express restaurants opening this year at Los Angeles International Airport. He is survived by his wife, the documentary filmmaker Susan Kaplan, and their two young children, Maya and Aidan, who reside in New York City as well as his son, Andre, of Miami. Other survivors include his mother, Lucille Friedson of Miami; his twin sister, Dr. Joan Friedson of La Jolla, California; two other sisters, Barbara Friedson Garrett of Coral Gables, Florida and Deborah Friedson Chud of Boston; a brother, Adam Friedson of Berkeley, California and other nieces and nephews. The family suggests that Memorials in David's memory be made to: Equine Advocates, P.O. Box 354, Chatham, New York 12037; Radiation & Public Health Trust (ROHP), P.O. Box 1260, Ocean City, New Jersey 08226 or Romemu (The Family's Synagogue where David was a beloved Board Member) 43 Central Park North, Suite 1A, New York, NY 10026 www.romemu.org