Remembering Alexander C. "Sandy" Cortesi

Alexander C. Cortesi, who was known as Sandy by his friends, passed away at his home on April 5. Mr. Cortesi joined the Board of Trustees at the New York School of Interior Design in 1996, and served as Chairman from 2003 until 2010. In 2013, Mr. Cortesi was named Trustee Emeritus. He was a beloved figure and a true friend to the College. He will be missed by his family, friends, and members of the NYSID community.

Mr. Cortesi lead NYSID’s Board of Trustees during a transformational period in the College’s history. During Mr. Cortesi’s time as Chairman, NYSID began its three-year Professional-Level Master of Fine Arts program; launched its Institute for Continuing and Professional Studies; and in 2010, Mr. Cortesi’s final year as Chairman, NYSID opened its Graduate Center facility at 401 Park Avenue South.

Before joining NYSID’s board of trustees, Mr. Cortesi spent his career as a manager and entrepreneur, primarily in the software industry. He was the president and chief executive of the Arena Group, a computer software company in San Francisco, and a managing director of R.H. Missner & Company, an investment firm in Chicago. He was also co-founder of then cutting-edge technology startup The Hotline, which was later purchased by National Journal. Mr. Cortesi was a graduate of Harvard College and is survived by his wife, Wendy Mackenzie.

Read Mr. Cortesi’s New York Times obituary here.