From banking to real estate to security, the Business Journal tips its hat to some of L.A.’s celebrated chief execs.
Large public company
RUSSELL GOLDSMITH
Chief Executive – City National Corp.
With a Harvard pedigree and time spent running several entertainment companies, Russell Goldsmith was tailor made for a job atop City National Bank, known for its extensive Hollywood clientele. It also didn’t hurt that he took the reins in 1995 from his father. But Goldsmith has forged his own identity while turning the bank into L.A.’s largest.
He’s known to seek out others’ opinions: “He’s strong but very patient and he looks for what we have in common. He believes that a stronger organization involves different points of view,” said Maria Elena Durazo, executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, who has worked with Goldsmith on a citywide jobs committee.
“I think he’s also a lot of fun.”
Age and birthplace:
60; Chicago
Education:
Harvard, bachelor’s; Harvard Law School, J.D.
What does it take to be a successful boss?
A talented, hard-working and effective team of colleagues who share the vision, values and focus of the organization that has the resources, competitive edge, products, capabilities and economic environment sufficient to deliver positive results over an extended period of time.
What is your management philosophy?
At City National, we work according to values articulated in our P.R.I.D.E. statement. That stands for: People, Relationships, Integrity, Dedication and Entrepreneurship. These five values have shaped our company’s culture, and they continue to inform how we perform every day.
What are your strengths?
The ability to attract, retain and work well with a very talented team of colleagues. A commitment to excellence and success. A willingness and ability to work hard and do many different things reasonably well. Genuinely enjoying what I do.
What are your weaknesses?
Impatience.
How do you balance the demands of work with family time?
As well as I can, but always prioritizing my family and, while working hard, striving for balance. With luck and good health, life is a marathon.
They say we learn from our mistakes. What was a big mistake you made and what did you learn from it?
I learned not to answer questions like this.
Something your colleagues don’t know about you:
That I spent nine months working in the Lindsay administration as a New York City Urban Fellow before I went to law school.
What would you be doing if you weren’t doing this?
More public service and/or vacation time.
Could you ever go back to being an employee, rather than the one who runs the show?
Very unlikely.
