Leslie Alexander

Leslie Alexander may refer to:

See also

Leslie Alexander (rabbi)

Rabbi Leslie Alexander became the first female rabbi of a major Conservative Jewish synagogue in the United States in 1986 at Adat Ari El synagogue in North Hollywood. She was chosen over five male candidates. Alexander was ordained by the Reform seminary Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1983, after studying at the Conservative movement's University of Judaism in Los Angeles; Conservative Judaism did not ordain women at the time. She wanted to be a rabbi since she was 17, and was encouraged in her ambitions by her parents. Her first major job after being ordained was as director of adult activities and community education at the Jewish Community Centers in San Diego, where she also met her husband, Dr. Kenneth Atchison. She kept her maiden name upon marriage because most of her family was killed in the Holocaust, and as an only child she did not want to have her name end.

She is now the community chaplain for Silicon Valley, and sits on two ethics committees in local hospitals, as well as serving on the Santa Clara County Child Abuse Council.

Leslie Alexander (businessman)

Leslie Lee Alexander (born 1944) is an American attorney, businessman and financier. He is a former bond trader from New Jersey who owns the National Basketball Association (NBA) team Houston Rockets.

Early life

Leslie Lee Alexander was born in 1944. He was raised in a Jewish family in New Jersey. In 1965, he graduated from New York University with a bachelor's degree in economics and later earned his juris doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

Career

Alexander started his career as an attorney. From 1978 to 2009, he was a member of the California State Bar. He started his career trading options and bonds for the Wall Street firm, Lawrence Kotkin Associates. In 1980, he left to form his own investment company, The Alexander Group. He also owns a 20% stake in First Marblehead, a private student loan company.

Sports team ownership

Alexander bought the Rockets in July 1993. In his first season as owner, the Rockets won their first-ever NBA title. They repeated as champs in 1995. A new arena, the Toyota Center, was opened in 2003. He was named the best owner in the NBA by Forbes in 2008. He also owns a vineyard on Long Island and the related company Leslie Wine, launched in 2008. He also has a residence in Houston. For the Rockets' success on the court (two titles, 55% win percentage across 20 seasons) and financially (once Toyota Center opened, the franchise profits doubled), Alexander was once listed by Forbes magazine as the best owner in the NBA.