Wharton event May 21 2008

The Wharton Club of South Florida

cordially invites you to the
2008 Entrepreneur of the Year Award Ceremony

honoring



OSCAR FELDENKREIS
President and Chief Operating Officer


with Keynote Speaker

George Feldenkreis
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Perry Ellis International

sponsored by

Wachovia Bank National Association


WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2008
Reception 6:30 PM
Program 7:30 PM

at the
InterContinental Miami
Bayfront Room
100 Chopin Plaza
Miami, FL 33131
(305) 577-1000
www.icmiamihotel.com

Valet Parking Available for $10.00.


Please register via our website at www.whartonsouthfla.com. If you have any questions, please contact Gabriela Sanchez, Club Administrator at admin@whartonsouthfla.com or (786) 206-4867.




OSCAR FELDENKREIS
President and Chief Operating Officer
Oscar Feldenkreis, President and COO, grew up inspired by his father's entrepreneurial vision and is today second in command of one of the leading companies in men's apparel. Oscar came to the United States from Havana, Cuba, as an infant. He graduated from the Hebrew Academy in Miami Beach and North Miami Beach High School and attended the University of Miami. Beginning in high school, he worked in the apparel field whenever an opportunity arose, first in retail sales and then at the Supreme headquarters, where he took special interest in design, merchandising, and sales. In 1980, Feldenkreis joined what was then Supreme International as an account executive. At the time, Supreme’s core business was still the Guayabera, the Latin-inspired four-pocket tropical shirt. Mindful that without a broader and more diversified product line Supreme’s growth was limited, Oscar encouraged his father to change the company’s direction. Oscar’s keen fashion sense, aggressive sales vision, and instinct for branded business expanded the company's scope beyond private-label distribution. In 1988, Oscar introduced the company’s first major brand, Natural Issue. The line of casual shirts, sweaters, and pants soon became a leading label in men’s sportswear. As President and COO of Perry Ellis International, Oscar broadened the company's portfolio, increased brand awareness and created a brand presence across all levels of retail distribution. In 1993, Supreme International completed its initial public offering on the NASDAQ stock market. The infusion of cash enabled the company to move into a brand acquisition strategy. The company started acquiring brands on the premise that consumers buy products that they identify with and trust. The company’s key acquisition came in 1999 with the purchase of the rights to the Perry Ellis trademark. The company changed its name from Supreme to Perry Ellis International to better reflect the name recognition that the brand provided. In 2003, Perry Ellis International acquired Salant Corp., the largest licensee of the Perry Ellis brand. Perry Ellis International became a company of over 1400 associates, with multiple offices on both coasts and sourcing operations all over the globe. In February 2005, Perry Ellis International acquired Tropical Sportswear, growing in size to over 2200 associates. Perry Ellis International is one of the biggest men’s sportswear companies in the world, owning a portfolio of highly-recognized brands including Perry Ellis®, Jantzen®, Cubavera®, Munsingwear®, John Henry®, Original Penguin®, Grand Slam®, Natural Issue®, Axis®, Gotcha®, Farah® and Savane®. Oscar is involved in numerous local and national civic causes, including the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, the National Epilepsy Foundation, and the YPO organization.