2005 Visionary of the
Year Award for Rauf Gajiani
A Pakistan Link Report
Rauf
Gajiani receives the award from Consul General Noor
Mohammad Jadmani |
Huntington Beach, CA: Mr Rauf
Gajiani, CEO, RZR Enterprises, received the 2005 Visionary
of the Year Award, sponsored by the Coastline Community
College, at a glittering ceremony at the Hyatt Regency on
May 20, 2005.
Lauded as a “family man, a businessman, a community
activist, a philanthropist,” and, above all, a patron
saint of several educational institutions in the US and
Pakistan, Mr Gajiani was a picture of humbleness as the
received the coveted and well-deserved award to the accompaniment
of thunderous applause from Consul General Noor Mohammad
Jadmani.
“Pakistan and the US have been friends in difficult
times …They are hand in hand in combating the scourge
of terrorism. We need individuals like Mr Gajiani to build
bridges between the two countries,” the Consul General
observed.
The sentiment was shared by other speakers in a video-tribute
to the RZR Enterprises CEO.
Trained as a pharmacist, Rauf Gajiani has long had a passion
for developing commercial and residential real estate. He
recently combined his passion with his career by forming
RZR Enterprises, a real estate development company, in 2004.
L
to R: Rauf Gajiani, Wasi Qureshey and Safi Qureshey |
Mr Gajiani’s initial
career was in the apparel industry, as CEO of Alstyle Apparel
from 1976 to 2003. The company, which employed 7,000 in
the United States, Canada and Mexico, generated in excess
of $210 million annually.
After selling Alstyle in 2003, Mr Gajiani launched RZR Enterprises,
a real estate development company which builds homes, apartment
units and commercial buildings. The company’s goal
is to build quality commercial and residential structures
in an expeditious and efficient manner.
Mr Gajiani is also a philanthropist, bringing people together
to build a bridge between the Muslim community and Orange
County’s community-at-large. He has supported countless
not-for-profit causes throughout Southern California, raising
several million dollars for various organizations during
the past 10 years.
The award winner with family members and friends |
This year’s Visionary
of the Year honorees, according to Elizabeth Bowlin, Co-Chair,
2005 Visionary of the Year Awards Gala, demonstrated a great
deal of variety in their contributions to the community.
Mary H. Barry is a leader in education. Rauf Gajiani is
a successful real estate developer. Bob Hurley is founder
and CEO of Hurley International - and a graduate of Golden
West College. Karen Robinson has an impressive resume as
both an attorney and judge. And Andrea Anne Shelly has made
significant contributions towards the battle against Fragile
X, the most common cause of autism.
In his brief remarks on the occasion, Mr Gajiani thanked
“God for what He has bestowed on me.” He congratulated
fellow-awardees and expressed gratitude to Ms Mariam Qureishi
, Dr Sadullah Khan and others who had lauded his services.
He also thanked his wife and daughter for their support
in his strivings.
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