Board of Directors

Tutan Reyes, Founder

As an offensive lineman in the National Football League, Tutan Reyes’ primary responsibility was to eliminate any obstacles that stood in the way of the quarterback’s ability to perform and achieve. As a philanthropist off the field, Reyes strives to eliminate any obstacles that stand in the way of college-bound students’ abilities to perform and achieve.

Tutankhamen “Tutan” Reyes was raised in Jamaica, Queens by a single mother who was driven to help her son pursue both his athletic and his academic goals. Raised in a house filled with love and support, Reyes was always pushed to dream big.

As a youth, Reyes had two vastly different dreams for his future. One was to play professional football and the other was to be a successful executive with a corner office. But growing up in the inner-city, he knew either dream would be a big challenge. The answer to those challenges of course, was in higher education.

Through hard work and determination, Reyes earned All-Queens honors at August Martin High School and was selected to the Coaches All-City Football Team in 1994. His commitment to athletics and academics did not end in Queens. After graduation, by way of an athletic scholarship, Reyes attended The University of Mississippi where he made the Dean’s Honor Roll and was the SEC All-Academic Honor Roll Choice in 1996 and 1999. After four years, Reyes graduated with a degree in Business Management and was drafted by the New Orleans Saints. From the Saints, he went on to play with the Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, and the Houston Texans.

Today, Reyes pursues his other long-held dream. He sports his business suit and networks with other like-minded individuals who share his commitment to removing financial hurdles from the dreams of all college-bound students. With persistence and dedication, Reyes has made both of his dreams a reality.

Now a devoted father, a respected athlete, a savvy entrepreneur and an upstart philanthropist, Reyes is fully aware of how much his own academic opportunities have contributed to his enviable success in life. This scholarship fund was created by a man who understands firsthand how the advantage of a higher education can carry a person out into the world and… Beyond the Boroughs.

Paul Seres, Secretary & Treasurer

In 2008 Paul formed Helios Hospitality Group, LLC, a hospitality development holding company that is currently developing an enclosed rooftop restaurant/lounge/event space in the Fashion District. Additionally, Paul is developing a restaurant lounge concept in lower Manhattan. Prior to forming Helios Hospitality and immediately upon graduation from college, Paul formed his own production company making Off-Broadway plays, independent films and producing and co-producing music videos for acts including Run DMC, Mary J. Blige, and Sting. He continued to work in the short format by directing and producing commercials and on-air promotional spots for clients and later added television programming to his work in television.

In 1999, Paul joined Big Fat, a New York based marketing and event agency where he became their in-house event producer and creative director. While at Big Fat, Paul produced national tours and events for clients such as PepsiCo, Lucky Strike, Kool, Seagrams, The History Channel, Stouffers’, and Nintendo. In 2001, Paul produced the national rollout tour for Nintendo’s GameCube, a 12-city tour that created 5000 sq. ft. nightclubs out of raw retail spaces in each of the cities. The tour won both a Gold Reggie and a Bronze Reggie for the gaming manufacturer.

In 2002 Paul formed Alba Creative, a boutique branding agency specializing in helping clients receive maximum return on their investment from their target audience. In addition to being Chief Strategy Officer, Paul helped create and directed all on-air television and radio spots for their client roster.

In July of 2005 Paul became the Managing Member of Ruby Falls Partners, LLC, a holding company that operated Sol Nightclub, a lounge in Chelsea’s trendy warehouse district. Sol has become the destination for upscale urban parties & entertainment for a long list of celebrities and athletes.

Paul is the current President of the New York Nightlife Association and co wrote the Best Practices Guide for Bars and Nightclubs along with the New York City Police Department. In January of 2009, Paul helped create the Nightlife Preservation Community, a mobilization of the thousands of employees, patrons, and ancillary businesses that are all affected by NYC’s vibrant night-time economy. Paul is also a member of Manhattan’s Community Board 4 where he is on the Executive Committee, Co-Chair of the Business, Licensing and Permitting Committee, the Quality of Life Committee, and is Co-Secretary for the full board.

Paul holds a Bachelor Fine Arts in theatre and a minor in film production from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and a Bachelor Fine Arts in Music Composition with a minor in physics from New York University’s School of Arts and Sciences.

Eun S. Cho

Eun S. Cho works in asset management as a Portfolio Analyst/Manager with Victory Capital Management Inc., an investment advisory firm that manages $45 billion in assets for institutions and individuals. He and his team seek investment opportunities in international markets. Mr. Cho focuses on small to mid cap companies in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore and South East Asia. Prior to joining Victory, Mr. Cho worked as an Analyst at Fiduciary Trust Company International where he specialized in Asia-Pacific small cap companies.

Fluent in Korean and English, Mr. Cho came to the United States from South Korea at an early age with his parents and younger brother, Sang. They grew up in Jacksonville, FL where his parents currently reside. To this day, Mr. Cho remains an avid Jaguars fan and a faithful season ticket holder even though he now calls New York City’s Upper West Side home.

Mr. Cho studied at both Columbia University, where he received a B.S. degree in Operations Research, and Jacksonville University, where he earned a B.S. degree in Engineering Physics.

An active philanthropist, Mr. Cho sits as co-chair of the fundraising committee of the Korean American Community Foundation’s Steering Committee (KACF) www.kacfny.org. A local foundation, KACF awards grants to deserving Korean and Asian social service organizations in the greater New York area. Mr. Cho plays an integral role in KACF’s fundraising efforts. In addition, Mr. Cho serves as a Executive Board member of the Columbia Engineering Young Alumni Association in charge of alumni relations.

Andrew Kahner

Andrew graduated at the top of his class from the University of Maryland, with a B.S. in Business Information Systems and Logistics. In bond trading at Lehman Brothers, he quickly learned that institutional investment banking can be a zero sum game. Andrew chose to become a financial advisor at UBS so that he could partake in a win-win scenario. Now, he gets a huge sense of satisfaction and accomplishment from his job. Among his clients, he learns who needs to be aggressive and who needs to play it safer. His job is surprisingly creative: it affords him the ability to adjust clients mix of assets and develop the ideal canvas.

Lisa Loew

Lisa Loew has more than 25 years of resourceful, creative, and productive sales experience. She joined VSTOCK Transfer, LLC in July of 2011. Lisa’s skills include extensive work as a sales trainer and manager as well as growing underdeveloped markets for several organizations in the legal and financial arenas. She has received recognition as a top performer and client service provider in all of the positions she has held. In her current position she is Vice President of Sales. Lisa has had the ability to grow and expand her network by providing outstanding customer service, developing fast friendships that are of a reciprocal nature. Lisa speaks several languages including, French, Hebrew, and Arabic. Lisa is married to Matthew Loew and has 3 children Yisroel, Abie and Sarina. When not working Lisa enjoys playing basketball, soccer, taking the kids to football games, fishing and anything that she can enjoy together with her husband and children.

Rueben Schatz

Rueben Schatz possesses significant sales experience and financial expertise which have fueled his real estate career. He joined Douglas Elliman after 13 years as a top producer with the Gotham Group in New York City, where he focused, very successfully, on serving high-net-worth investors, raising capital for private equity, private placements, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other proprietary opportunities.

Prior to coming to New York, Rueben spent years in the investment arena in Cincinnati, Ohio working with major brokers at Smith Barney and Merrill Lynch. His financial savvy, service-driven philosophy, can-do attitude and passion for networking have always led him to excel.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Rueben is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor in Finance degree and minor in International Business. He is happily married to Rita Hazan, owner and operator of the famous Rita Hazan Salon in NYC. The couple reside in Manhattan with their Havanese dogs, Chico and Senior.

Rueben considers himself a true New Yorker having lived in the city for over 14 years. He enjoys selling real estate in all areas, but specializes in Manhattan.

Mark Spence

Mr. Spence is a veteran of the insurance industry. He has over eight years of experience in estate planning, pensions, life insurance, disability insurance. He owns his own insurance brokerage, Spence Strategies Group, and currently works with Syren Capital Advisors on the private equity side of the market. He has extensive experience in his field and helps clients protect, grow and, and formats efficient strategies. Mr. Spence graduated from Long Island University CW Post with a Bachelors in International Business in 2009 and studied for a Masters in Public Administration in the College of Management and has one year left to complete the program. Prior to LIU he attended Maritime College and Mr. Spence has also served In the United States Army.