JetBlue CEO Interviewed for Video Archive of Successful Entrepreneurs

Brookville, N.Y. — David Neeleman, CEO of one of the most successful airlines in recent history, was interviewed by Professor James L. Freeley of the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University for inclusion in the first comprehensive video archive of prominent Long Island entrepreneurs. Mr. Neeleman, founder of JetBlue Airlines, frankly discussed his humble beginnings including past business difficulties as well as the personal challenge of overcoming Attention Deficit Disorder.

Long Island has long been known as a hotbed for entrepreneurship and has produced some of the nation’s most successful businesses, from Waldbaum’s supermarket chain – which got its start 100 years ago as a butter and egg purveyor – to Islandia-based Computer Associates – one of the nation’s largest independent software makers. In an effort to chronicle the history of entrepreneurship on Long Island, Professor Freeley is creating a video archive of CEOs for use in libraries and for classroom instruction.

"I’m looking for ‘Before Zero’," Dr. Freeley said. "I want to know what types of difficulties these prosperous entrepreneurs had before they became the success stories they are today. In addition, I’m interested to find out what advice they might have for future entrepreneurs as they begin their journey in starting a new venture."

The archive, "History of Entrepreneurship on Long Island," is the third part of an on-going project conducted by Dr. Freeley, an expert on entrepreneurship in the College of Management at C.W. Post. By sharing the difficulties and successes of business veterans, Dr. Freeley hopes to show budding entrepreneurs what mistakes to avoid, how to attract and maintain customers, and how to plan for the future. Dr. Freeley plans to interview Long Island business owners over the next several years.

"The current business climate encourages people to become entrepreneurs," said Dr. Freeley. "Large companies are downsizing and moving jobs overseas at an accelerating rate. America was built by pioneering entrepreneurs and is unique in the world in preserving an entrepreneurial economy. Every day, approximately 2,000 new entrepreneurs begin their pursuit of the American dream."

Entrepreneurial Pro — For more than 25 years, Dr. Freeley has been involved with various aspects of the field of entrepreneurship and is the author of several articles, papers and books on the subject. In addition to the new archive, he conducted a national research study, which resulted in an Entrepreneurial Style Profile questionnaire. This profile is used to assist future entrepreneurs in analyzing their own characteristics and chances of success. He is also the author of a book titled Are You an Entrepreneur? which discusses the 12 characteristics of a successful entrepreneur and outlines, in simple and practical terms, the steps necessary to start a business.

Long Island entrepreneurs interested in participating in this project may contact Dr. Freeley at (718) 263-4143.