I just returned from a memorial service for a dear friend of our community, JPMorgan Vice Chairman Jimmy Lee.
The first time I met Jimmy I remember thinking that on the surface he was the epitome of an investment banker, with slicked back hair, suspenders, and a pinstripe suit; but in fact he was the polar opposite.
We met at our Fulton Center location, where Gordon Gekko’s office was shot for the movie Wall Street. (It is actually rumored that aspects of Gekko’s character were loosely based on Jimmy’s personality and achievements). Despite telling me that he could only spare 15 minutes, we ended up spending the next 2 hours and 45 minutes together. He had an amazingly analytical mind and quickly broke down WeWork in a way no one else had before, drawing from his vast experience in subscription-based businesses like the cable industry.
Most importantly, we connected on the most basic human level, and I can share with you that this was a man of amazing integrity and humility, as well as the best guy you could ever have in your corner. Jimmy represented to me the last of the old-school bankers who did business with a handshake and made bets that were first based on people and then numbers. He made a big bet on me and on WeWork, and I am forever grateful.
At today’s service everyone spoke about Jimmy’s amazing accomplishments as a banker (having closed deals north of a trillion dollars throughout his career), but the real focus of the eulogies was his dedication to his family, friends, and the charities he was involved in. You can really learn about a person when you hear how others choose to remember them. In Jimmy’s case, the words and memories I heard today would make even the most accomplished person proud. A month ago I was supposed to join him in an event, but at the last second after the event had already started I had to cancel to attend to a personal matter at home. Jimmy immediately responded from the event: “Family always comes first in my book Adam — we will connect down the road pal — be well.” Jimmy always lived his life being present and in the moment, and it’s something for all of us to aspire to.
The best thing about spending time with Jimmy was that I would always leave a meeting learning more about life than about whatever business challenge I was trying to solve. He genuinely cared more about how I was doing and how my family was before getting an update on the business. I’m so grateful to have had the privilege to get to know Jimmy. He was a living testament to the fact that being a member of the We Generation is a state of mind and a commitment to a higher-level existence.