Turn Adversity into Opportunities: This is the Angelo Mozilo's Story of his Overcoming Adversities

This is part four part ezine article; this is the third of four segments.

In this Part III, Angelo Mozilo will share, in his own words, his difficult life's journey, including his specific trials and challenges. H will share with the reader his own unique story of how of what success habits and secrets he developed to over come adversity. Angelo is a "man of the people" with a unique blend of financial genius, unstoppable drive to succeed and "street smarts" that enabled him, in spite of dealing with severe adversity, discrimination or difficult challenges shaped Angelo Mozilo into a well respected and successful leader in business and the community.

Angelo will candidly share how he succeeded in life and the "White Anglo Saxon - Ivy League" dominated world of finance and mortgage banking in spite of the odds against him and being Italian-American with a degree form Fordham, not the "Ivy League schools," such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton or the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Angelo Mozilo fought his way out of an ethic neighborhood and literally out of his father's butcher shop. He when on found and currently run as Chairman and CEO of one of the largest lending institutions with offices across the entire Unites States and even in Europe, with office in the United Kingdom. He built the Largest Lending institution in America, Countrywide Home Loan, and Countrywide Financial. Mozilo has overcome the odds to become a successful and effective leader.

This groundbreaking proven research into how to overcome adversity and how to "Turn Adversity into Opportunities" has received extensive endorsements and enthusiastic reviews from well-known prominent business, political, and academic leaders and leading scholars who either participated in the study or reviewed the research findings.

The nine initial prominent successful leaders who overcame adversity or tragedy who were interviewed included: Dr. Tony Bonanzino, U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch, Monzer Hourani, U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, Dr. John Malone, Larry Pino, U.S. Army Major General Sid Shachnow, Dr. Blenda Wilson, and Zig Ziglar.

This story will The data from these nine research participants was materially augmented by seven more interviews with successful individuals who overcame adversity, abuse, or loss of a parent in their youth including: Jack Canfield, William Draper III, Mark Victor Hansen, J. Terrence Lanni, Angelo Mozilo, Dr. Nido Qubein, and Dr. John Sperling.

Additionally, five internationally known and respected leadership scholars offered their reviews of the leadership research findings including: Dr. Ken Blanchard, Jim Kouzes, Dr. John Kotter, Dr. Paul Stoltz, and Dr. Meg Wheatley.

PART III of IV: This is the Angelo Mozilo's Story of Overcoming Severe Adversity

Part III Angelo commented on the discrimination he experienced because he was a second generation Italian-American. He said, "At least in my generation, when you are Italian in the financial services company you are terribly underestimated. A natural reaction for some in the financial community inferred or suggested that perhaps you were associated with the Mafia." Mozilo added "that even today we [Countrywide] are underestimated.

Angelo Mozilo shared his candid comment about the banking establishment "Major Banks like Chase, and Wells Fargo, and others have continued to underestimate our accomplishments and fail to recognize Countrywide's future potential." He continued on this theme, "Because the financial services business has always been obsessed with the 'Ivy League' education from Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and Wharton. It might have been easier if I have had that kind of education but that was impossible because I needed to live at home." Angelo further commented that "Countrywide's management came predominantly from State Universities so we were never taken that seriously. Because I graduated from Fordham, and only briefly attended NYU Business School, were always looked down on and it was always an issue."

As Angelo Mozilo looks back over his unique life he says, "I never would have dreamed I would end up where I am today with a company that spans the nation [and even includes significant operations in the United Kingdom]." Angelo continued, "I learned from my partner [and mentor] that you don't give up on something you really believe in. We had some terrible days, but then something would happen that would encourage us to go on for another day. You can't give up when things get difficult. You have to work hard, stay focused, and lead by example. I also think it is important to have fire in your belly." He also expressed the "importance of your track record, reputation, and maintaining relationships."

Mozilo shared with me, "I am very conscious of the example I set for my children and grandchildren. I have always tried to conduct myself properly and preserve the integrity of my name and my company. I am concerned about my legacy and want my grandchildren to be proud of our name." Angelo regularly gives of his time, talent, and monies to higher education. He said "One of the few regrets I have is that I did not finish my graduate degree at NYU Business School. I have all kinds of excuses, but the fact of the matter is that I did not finish. I am convinced that it would have dramatically shortened the time that it has taken for me to build this company."

Angelo summed up his deep feelings about the importance of education, "My mother's gift to me was being very concerned about education. I spend time and resources on children and education because they are the future of our country. Education is critical to having choices in life."

Angelo's educational activities include serving as a member of the Board of Trustees at Fordham University in New York City, Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, St. Francis High School in La Cañada, California, and Board of Visitors Graziadio School of Business at Pepperdine University, in Malibu, California. Mozilo received a Bachelor of Science degree from Fordham University in 1960, and he holds an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Pepperdine University.