Howard Milstein

In October 2016, The China Association for International Exchange of Personnel (CAIEP) gave Milstein the Marco Polo Award, the highest honor given to a non-Chinese citizen. In April, 2014, Milstein received the Insignia of Chevalier in the Legion of Honor—the French Legion of Honor. In 2008, he was named the Entrepreneur of the Year by Cornell University.

In 2012, Milstein and his wife, Abby, committed to donate $8 million to the New York Public Library.

In November 2010, Milstein was selected by Andrew Cuomo to be on the incoming New York governor's transition team as a member of the Committee on Economic Development & Labor. In June, 2011, the New York State Senate unanimously confirmed Milstein as chair of the New York State Thruway Authority.

In 2007, Milstein acquired, through Emigrant Bank, a full partnership interest in Nicklaus Companies., LLC, professional golfer Jack Nicklaus' business in golf course design, golf equipment, and licensing for clothing and other items.

At Cornell University, Milstein is trustee and presidential counselor and overseer. He is a member of the Cornell Investment Committee and chairs its Real Estate Committee. In 2007, the Milstein family dedicated the Paul Milstein Building for the College of Architecture, Art and Planning. In October, 2017, Milstein, on behalf of the Milstein family, announced a $20 million donation for a new initiative to promote integration of technology and the humanities, a collaboration between the Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences and Cornell Tech.

In 2005, Milstein and EmigrantDirect deposited $1000 in the accounts of each of its customers impacted by Hurricane Katrina. An immediate gift of $1000 per household was deposited to its customers in the principally affected counties and parishes of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. In November 2012, Milstein and Emigrant Bank gave a gift of $2.3 million to more than 2,000 New York City First Responders who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

In 1986, Milstein started Liberty Cable as an alternative telecommunications supplier for the Milford Plaza Hotel.

Milstein is the elder son of Irma Milstein and the late real estate developer Paul Milstein. Milstein is a graduate of Cornell University with a B.A. in economics (1973). At Harvard University, he got law and business degrees in the JD/MBA Program (1977). He was admitted to the New York State Bar, and is a member of the Federal Bar Council and the American, New York State and New York City Bar Associations.

Howard Philip Milstein (born May 15, 1951) is an American billionaire entrepreneur, innovator, real estate developer, financier, and philanthropist. Milstein is chairman, president and chief executive officer of New York Private Bank & Trust and its operating bank, Emigrant Bank, the country's largest privately-owned, family-run bank. Milstein is founding chairman of the merchant bank FriedbergMilstein. Milstein has led successful businesses across a range of sectors including real estate, banking, hospitality, marketing, finance, sports properties, and technology. He also was the chairman of the New York State Thruway Authority until November 2014 and led the procurement process for the replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge.