Top Shelf Todd Stories
Valentine Family
Entry #2. I thought of another one. Todd had a way of meeting someone once and within seconds to minutes finding a commonality that made you immediate best friends. Mine was that we both spent part of our childhood in west Boca. And so any time I saw Todd up close or from afar he would through up a “W” with his fingers and mouth “west bocaaaaaaaaa” or an “L” with his fingers and mouth “Loggaaaaaas (really it’s Loggers) Run… lt made me laugh every time.
Harrison Lieberfarb
Todd was the first manager I ever had. He taught me so much about finance - he taught me how to work a Bloomberg and introduced me to portfolio theory. He showed me how to prospect authentically for new business - I try to channel his authenticity when I chase hot companies for a Series A.
He taught me what a CUSIP was. He bought me lunch every day of my internship, and got me 3 custom shirts that I still have even though they don't fit at the end of my internship because they couldn't pay me because some lady in Compliance shut it down.
We stayed in good touch over the years - when I interviewed at UBS Investment Banking 2 years later, Todd figured out how to contact the Campus Recruiter to put in a glowing letter of recommendation. I got an offer for a Summer Analyst role in the TMT group, which helped me tremendously in my recruiting process.
Working with him was the most fun I've ever had in a job. He set the bar so high.
I've had many managers since, but none as kind, thoughtful, helpful, and fun as Todd. I remember every single interaction with him being nothing but positive, fun, and upbeat. He remains one of the best people I've ever met.
Doug Kass
Good Night Sweet Todd - A letter to you before you go
"Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."
- William Shakespeare, Hamlet
I could not sleep last night as a dear friend of mine was on my mind.
Toddy isn't a nobleman or a famous strategist (like Byron Wien). LINK TO MY TRIBUTE OF BYRON
He is one of the kindest people I have ever known and this morning he lies, taking some of his last breaths.
I met Toddy through his brother (who I affectionately have written about, calling him (in my Diary) Barron Von Broker). Todd and Mike (and Ronnie) lead a Morgan Stanley private wealth group in Palm Beach.
Toddy and the team were very supportive of me. From the beginning they have been subscribers. When my book came out they celebrated with a special book signing event and party at their brokerage office.
I felt so confident about the team's investment expertiese that I sent over Chuck (Brown Bear) Zion's (LINK TO 9/11 annual tributes) parents (Jane and Rabbi Martin Zion) capital for them to manage. More important than that, Toddy treated the Zions as I did - like his own parents as he shuttled them to and for from errands, etc. When Rabbi Zion passed away, he (and his team) paid special attention to Jane Zion.
Ultimately my personal fixed income funds when to the team - where Toddy was the bond market specialist. Last year, as Treasurer of my golf club, I sent over my club's excess cash for him to invest in fixed income securities.
But Toddy's fixed income expertise was not his defining measure. He was simply the nicest and most charitable friend I ever had - an amazingly dutiful son, father and husband.
Despite cancer ravaging his body and having his leg amputated, Toddy's attitude over the last year has been, not surprisingly, upbeat.
His smile has been never-ending and infectious.
Only 1 1/2 months ago he was advising me about rolling over our Club's treasuries. As always, he was full of humor and optimism.
Toddy will leave his remarkably strong and caring wife Debbie (who came from my home town on Long Island) and his two daughters with a legacy few men will leave.
As we wait for the inevitable our hearts are broken.
My tears this afternoon are the silent language of the grief of losing someone so special.
In truth my sorrow this afternoon is my weeping for a relationship that has been a delight.
May his memory be a blessing.
"Who is wise? One who learns from every man ... Who is strong? One who overpowers his inclinations ... Who is rich? One who is satisfied with his lot ... Who is honorable? One who honors his fellows."
- Ben Zoma, Ethics of the Fathers
Dan Silverstein
A letter to my friend before you pass...
Dear Todd,
I wanted to write you a quick note to tell you what your friendship and support has meant to me. For many years, I've considered you a friend, someone that I always enjoyed talking to at various functions throughout Wellington. My appreciation for you as a friend and as a human being became much stronger when I started my charity golf tournament. When I started planning the event, I had zero clue as to what I was doing. I knew I wanted to honor my dad and raise money for a worthy cause, that was it. You may not remember, but several conversations with you were very important to me understanding how to put on a successful event. I greatly appreciated having you as a sounding board and your advice throughout the process. When I sent out the first email about our new event in 2019, you signed up within minutes of that email. You subsequently have been the first person to register for the event every year! Not to mention, you and Deb providing numerous baskets and always attending the event. Your support, particularly that first year when I felt a little lost, means more to me than you know. I consider it an honor to know you and be your friend, Much love, Dan
Steve Wolosoff
Dear Todd, Promo, Promoter, Chauncy, Svegan, Steve-a-than, Hector.
You asked for a list of memories to share with kids one day to show why TB is a legend.
Waking up with you showing me like 100 c-notes from a good night in casino.
Walking by a blackjack table putting down hundreds, losing, and keep walking like nothing just happened.
Crown Royal on way to Atlantic City and John-a-saurus – that dude will never be the same.
Telling uber driver to hurry because we had a vomiting baby.
Arguing with Mike M about the shape of a football.
Getting 86’d at hotel lobby bar and arguing your case.
Mike Tyson in New Orleans, Carrot Top in Vegas, Rob Base in your backyard.
Vegan food delivered from like Kansas City or somewhere.
When Carolyn disappeared in Mexico and you found her.
Swimming in ocean and going to bar where you and Deb met, then missing our flights to cold weather.
Look on Brad’s face when you were showing us IRL Trump photos on your phone.
Look on Deb’s face when I told her you ate an entire hot dog uncooked in one bite.
Vegas with Arnie and Gene and your best friends - bathtub filled with beer and ice.
The whiskey phase and your hunt for more expensive bottles not less.
Coming to Queens apartment for Passover smelling like you just got off the set of Friday.
Beyond Meat turned out to be a bad stock tip from a hippie – just because something is good and new doesn’t mean the company makes money - oh
Dolphins-Jets in Miami when you bought or sold tickets in the lot like a pro, got us a 5-minute limo ride for something important I forget what.
The great hunt for good food – your 4000 calorie per day NYC checklist, sushi in Vegas, Mexican in Montreal when you ate crickets, non-vegan donuts from Corinth, sandwiches kids still talk about, BBQ at river house.
Phish in Miami – I snuck to lower level and then somehow you found me.
Being the guys on stage calling out numbers fast to raise money for good causes.
Sarah’s crazy epic bat mitzvah was legendary – none will ever top that. You said Sarah planned most of it, so the legacy of going big is passed on.
Getting me from sidewalk to airport, through security with no ID, and into first class. What happens in New Orleans should stay there too.
Wine tour in Sonoma when you bull shitted the Woodbridge guy about Mondavi then you got us upgraded and told Mondavi guy how it tastes same as Woodbridge.
Here’s the thing – I am funny and make my girls laugh a lot everyday. Sometimes I ask them if what I just said was “funnier than Uncle Todd?”. They never agree cause your jokes are legendary. You, busting my chops, is like manna to them.
You know a guy, but really the guy knows you, cause of the legendary stories they lived with you or heard while having tons of fun with you. I aspire to be that for my much smaller network and will always use you as inspiration. Its about having fun, joking with the people in front of you, not talking S about those that aren’t with you, putting your guard down, and making people feel special. That is how I see you TB.
Love, Steve
PS. You did marry up brother.