David Paresky

David Paresky is a retired American businessman, who formerly worked in the travel service sector. He is also a well-known philanthropist.

Early life Paresky was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1938. He grew up in Burlington, Vermont. Paresky attended Phillips Academy on a scholarship before attending Williams College, also as a scholarship student.

Career Paresky began his tenure in travel services at Phillips Academy, where he organized spring break trips to Bermuda for students. American Express purchased Thomas Cook's travel offices in the United States in 1994, which were owned by Paresky and his wife.

Philanthropy Paresky has donated significant portions of money to both Phillips Academy and Williams College in order to build new student facilities. At Williams, the student center built in 2006 is named Paresky Center in his name after he donated $15.75 million to the school. At Phillips Academy, Paresky's $10 million donation was used to renovate its main dining hall, renamed Paresky Commons in 2008.

Personal life Paresky currently lives in Fisher Island, Florida with his wife Linda.

He received Williams College's Bicentennial Medal in 2012.

Paresky was one of the investors exploited by Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, which came to light in 2008.