Great Living Cincinnatians
William Friedlander
Awarded in 1999
Among the dozens of framed family photos in Bill Friedlander's office at Bartlett & Co. sits a gift from a colleague that bears a telling message: A box of Wheaties sporting Friedlander's likeness.
In 41 years at the largest, locally-based money management firm, Friedlander, Bartlett & Co.'s chairman, has earned the respect of the business community, as well as the unofficial mantle "Broker of Champions".
While he has headed Bartlett & Co. for the past 22 years, Friedlander, 66, is equally recognized for investing in the community. He served on the boards of Jewish Hospital and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, where assets grew from $40 million to $140 million during his term.
"The Foundation is such an important part of the city - it was very satisfying to see it grow," he said. "We were able to help a lot more organizations."
The arts have been a lifelong passion for Friedlander. He and his wife co-chaired the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra's Second Century Fund campaign from 1995-97, raising $37 million, believed to be the largest amount ever raised for an arts organization in Greater Cincinnati.