Executive Bios
Kenny Dichter
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Kenny Dichter has been an entrepreneur in sports marketing, manufacturing and retail for close to 20 years. Prior to founding Marquis Jet in 2001, along with partner Jesse Itzler, Dichter co-founded Alphabet City, a production and distribution company specializing in sports compilation CDs that combined popular in-arena music with memorable "play by play" calls from team history. Alphabet City had licensing agreements with the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and NCAA and released over 50 CDs before being acquired by Robert Sillerman's SFX Entertainment in 1998. Dichter's entrepreneurial bent began while he was a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he began an on-campus retail specialty store called Bucky's. Dichter also worked closely with then-Chancellor and later Clinton Cabinet member, Donna Shalala, and the UW Athletic Department to create "Late Night With The Badgers," a pep rally hosted by nationally known sports personality Dick Vitale that led to a multi-fold increase in ticket sales and student participation. Dichter is also the Founder and a Board member of Tour GCX Partners, Inc., a premium offering in the private golf space established in 2003. Dichter was awarded a BA in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Jack Martin Fund at Mt. Sinai Hospital and a Board member of the Turn the Corner Foundation.
Henry Schachar
Executive Vice Chairman
Henry Schachar joined Philipp Brothers Inc., the leading global trader of non-ferrous and precious metals, agricultural and energy related products, in 1977. He became president of the company in 1986 and remained in that position through 1991. Subsequently, he held senior management positions with several major commodity trading firms and was a principal in a private venture capital firm before joining Marquis Jet as a co-founder in 2001. Schachar received his B.A. from Yeshiva University in 1975 and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 1977.
Jesse Itzler
Co-Founder & Vice Chairman
Jesse Itzler is the Co-Founder & Vice Chairman of Marquis Jet Partners. Prior to founding Marquis Jet, Itzler and his partner, Kenny Dichter, co-founded Alphabet City Industries in 1995. Alphabet City was a sports marketing concern that specialized in the production and sale of sports compilation CD's that combined popular in-arena songs with famous "play by play" calls from team history. Itzler and Dichter sold Alphabet City Industries to SFX Entertainment (SFXE Nasdaq) in 1998. Itzler is no stranger to the spotlight. At the age of 22 his single, "Shake It," reached the Billboard Hot 100 Charts and in 1993 he wrote and performed "Go New York Go" the popular theme song for the NY Knicks, which changed the NBA arena experience for good. In the mid-1990’s Itzler was coined "the premiere sports music producer in the world.” He wrote, produced, and recorded original songs for over 50 professional sports teams and is credited for creating the EMMY AWARD WINNING "I Love this Game" music campaign for the NBA. Itzler has been selected to Crain’s Magazine "40 Under 40", POV’s "40 Under 40" list and ESPN/Sports Illustrated "Who's Who In Sports" list. In 2006 Itzler founded The 100 Mile Man Foundation (www.the100mileman.com). In November of that year he ran 100 miles non-stop in under 24 hours to raise money and awareness for 10 charities. Itzler raised over $1.3 million dollars and completed the race in just over 22 hours.
Ken Austin
Executive Vice Chairman
Ken Austin is a seasoned executive with a broad range of general management skills and entrepreneurial talent. Prior to joining Marquis Jet, Austin was Senior Vice President at The Seagram Beverage Company based in New York City. Prior to joining Seagram, Austin held various positions of increasing responsibility for the E&J Gallo Winery and Price Waterhouse International Tax Group. Austin received his undergraduate degree from The Binghamton University School of Management. He also received his Executive MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University and currently sits on several company boards.
Carl Thorsberg
Chief Financial Officer
Carl Thorsberg has a solid track record of improving a company's overall profitability. Previously, from 1997 to 2002, he served as Senior Vice President Finance and Administration for The Seagram Beverage Company. In this position, Thorsberg oversaw accounting, financial analysis and planning, management information systems and strategic planning. During his tenure the company engineered a significant turnaround increasing the company's profitability. From 1989 to 1997, Thorsberg held numerous senior management positions at Tropicana Products, Inc. ranging from Group Director of Sales Administration to Group Director of Financial Planning. During his tenure, Thorsberg improved efficiencies in the company's operations through the design and implementation of new management reporting and planning systems. Between 1986 and 1987, Thorsberg served as a Senior Corporate Auditor for Harcourt Brace Jovanovich and prior to that he worked for KPMG as a Senior Auditor. Thorsberg received his Master of Business Administration from Indiana University and his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.