John A. Sobrato
John A. Sobrato | |
---|---|
Born | San Francisco, California, US | May 23, 1939
Education | Santa Clara University |
Occupation | Businessman |
Title | Founder and chairman, The Sobrato Organization |
Spouse | Susan Sobrato |
Children | 3 |
John Albert Sobrato (born c. May 23, 1939)
Early life
John Sobrato was born to Italian immigrants Ann Ainardi (1915-2000) John Mossimo Sobrato (1895 - 1952).[3] Sobrato's parents met in the 1930s and married in 1938, even though he was 20 years her senior. Sobrato's father owned a popular San Francisco restaurant, John's Rendezvous. After his father's death from cancer in 1952, Sobrato's mother sold the restaurant and used the proceeds to begin investing in real estate.[4]
Career
Sobrato began his own real estate investing in 1957, while still in college at Santa Clara University.[2][5] Beginning in 1972 he worked closely with another successful Silicon Valley investor, Carl Berg, for many years.[6] He founded the Sobrato Organization in 1979; his son, John Michael Sobrato, took over leadership of the company in 1998. The company grew to hold more than 110 commercial buildings and more than 30 apartment complexes. In 2013, both father and son announced that they were moving away from managing the operations of the company to focus on charitable activities.[2][7]
Sobrato and his family are listed at #110 on the 2014
Sobrato and his son have both signed on the Warren Buffett's
Personal life
Sobrato and his wife Susan live in Atherton, California.[11] Sue and John have three children, John Michael Sobrato, Sheri Sobrato Brisson, and Lisa Sobrato Sonsini, five grandsons, and two granddaughters.[12] His son John M. Sobrato is a minority owner of San Francisco 49ers.
References
- ^ a b c David Louie, "Sobrato family makes mark on South Bay", KGO-TV, April 15, 2014.
- ^ a b c Members Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine at The Sobrato Organization website
- ^ "San Jose Legends: John Sobrato's generosity is everywhere". San José Spotlight. 2021-06-27. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
- Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, December 19, 2000.
- .
- Silicon Valley Business Journal, November 9, 2012.
- ^ Dana Hull, "Sobratos Step Down from Running Daily Operations at the Family's Real Estate Company", Oakland Tribune, July 1, 2013.
- ^ "John A. Sobrato - The Forbes 400 Richest Americans". forbes.com. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
- ^ "Silicon Valley Philanthropic and Real-Estate Paragon John A. Sobrato and His Wife Susan to be Recognized With Lifetime Achievement Award", Business Wire, 2 October 2015. Accessed 17 February 2016.
- ^ Donato-Weinstein, Natahn. "Sobratos making largest-ever individual gift to USF", Biz Journals, 18 November 2015. Accessed 17 February 2016.
- ^ "John A. Sobrato". Forbes. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
- ^ "Members, Purpose & Values - The Sobrato Organization & Sobrato Philanthropies". www.sobrato.com. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
External links
- The Sobrato Organization
- "Meet John Sobrato, 2012 David Packard Award Winner", Joint Venture Silicon Valley