Adam Weitsman

Weitsman was born and raised in Owego, New York. He developed an interest in art collecting early in life after his father and grandfather discovered two early American stoneware bottles during an excavation project in their scrap yard in 1980.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/10/arts/design/10antiques.html|title=Adam Weitsman New York Stoneware Collection, at Home in Albany|last=Kahn|first=Eve M.|date=September 9, 2010|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 31, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} Weitsman began collecting the 19th-century stoneware and owned 60 pieces by 1982.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/16/garden/house-proud-a-studio-breathes-idea-by-idea-by-idea.html|title=HOUSE PROUD; A Studio Breathes, Idea by Idea by Idea|last=Louie|first=Elaine|date=March 16, 1995|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 31, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}

In 1986, Weitsman graduated from Owego Free Academy. Weitsman majored in banking at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville. In 1989, Weitsman worked at a Manhattan art gallery, Hirschl & Adler Folk, and opened the American Folk Art Gallery in Greenwich Village in 1991.{{Cite web|url=http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/11/adam_weitsman_from_scrap_to_sk.html|title=From scrap to Skaneateles: Adam Weitsman's lifetime mission to salvage a reputation|website=syracuse.com|date=November 21, 2010|language=en-US|access-date=January 31, 2019}} In 1995, Weitsman became vice president of Ben Weitsman & Son, a scrap processing company owned by his family before eventually purchasing it from his father.

After losing his sister to cancer in the early 1990s, Weitsman quit a career in New York City and returned to his hometown to the family scrap metal business. Here, he built up an interest in the processing side of scrap metal recycling, which led to the foundation of Upstate Shredding.{{Cite web|date=November 25, 2020|title=Transforming A Personal Brand After Hardship: A Case Study With Adam Weitsman – NewsOpener|url=https://newsopener.com/entrepreneurs/transforming-a-personal-brand-after-hardship-a-case-study-with-adam-weitsman/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425095728/https://newsopener.com/entrepreneurs/transforming-a-personal-brand-after-hardship-a-case-study-with-adam-weitsman/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=April 25, 2021|access-date=April 22, 2021|website=News Opener|language=en-US}} In 1997, Weitsman opened Upstate Shredding at the Tioga County Industrial Park in Owego.{{Cite news|url=https://dailygazette.com/article/2014/02/16/0214_OLshredding|title=Metal-shredding scrap company growing in region, across N.Y. |work=The Daily Gazette|access-date=February 4, 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2016/06/20/New-Castle-scrap-yard-operator-Adam-Weitsman-shows-his-mettle/stories/201606190033|title=Recycler lands in New Castle, takes on nation's largest scrap processors|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|language=en|access-date=February 4, 2019}} Weitman was sentenced for check kiting in 2004, paid a $1 million fine and served 8 months in prison.{{cite news |last1=Grondahl |first1=Paul |title=Scrap metal mogul donates world-class art collection to State Museum |url=https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Scrap-metal-mogul-donates-world-class-art-5553066.php |access-date=8 February 2022 |work=Times Union |date=14 June 2014}} In 2005, Weitsman acquired Upstate Shredding's sister company, Ben Weitsman & Son, Inc., after his father retired and acquired an 11-acre scrapyard in Solvay, New York from Peter Matlow in December 2009.{{Cite web|url=http://www.syracuse.com/business-news/index.ssf/2018/04/a_beautiful_scrapyard_weitsman_starts_5m_makeover_of_geddes_eyesore_1.html|title=A beautiful scrapyard? Weitsman starts $5M makeover of Geddes 'eyesore'|last=syracuse.com|website=syracuse.com|date=April 30, 2018|language=en-US|access-date=February 4, 2019}} Between 2012 and 2016, Weitsman acquired a scrap yard in New Castle, Pennsylvania, a port facility in Albany, and Empire Recycling in Watertown, New York.{{Cite news|date=February 7, 2019|title=Owego company buys Pearl Street scrap metal facility|url=https://www.thedailynewsonline.com/article/20160430/news03/160439939/|url-status=live|access-date=April 9, 2021|work=The Daily News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020337/https://www.thedailynewsonline.com/article/20160430/news03/160439939/|archive-date=February 7, 2019}} By the end of 2016, they were collectively known as Upstate Shredding – Weitsman Recycling.{{Cite web|url=http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2015/01/scrap_king_adam_weitsman_buys_stake_in_biggest_competitor_metalico.html|title=Scrap king Adam Weitsman buys stake in biggest competitor|last=syracuse.com|website=syracuse.com|date=January 24, 2015|language=en-US|access-date=February 4, 2019}} That year, Weitsman won the Platts Industry Leadership Award and the AMM Scrap Company of the Year award for the second year in a row.{{Cite web|url=https://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/upstate-shredding-recognized-by-platts/|title=Upstate Shredding – Weitsman Recycling receives Platts Global Metal Award|website=Recycling Today|language=en|access-date=February 4, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/upstate-shredding-honored-amm-top-scrap/|title=Upstate Shredding – Weitsman Recycling receives 'AMM' Scrap Company of the Year award|website=Recycling Today|language=en|access-date=February 4, 2019}} He was awarded Scrap Company of the Year by American Metal Market in 2015 and 2016.{{Cite web|date=May 5, 2015|title=Scrap Company of the Year (Large): Fastmarkets AMM|url=https://www.amm.com/Article/3450799/Scrap-Company-of-the-Year-Large.html|access-date=April 22, 2021|website=American Metal Market}}

Weitsman and his wife, Kim Weitsman, have invested in real estate in Skaneateles, New York.

In 2010, Kim purchased the Krebs restaurant, which was founded in 1899.{{Cite web|url=http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/02/krebs_owner_plans_to_reopen_la.html|title=Krebs owner plans to reopen landmark Skaneateles restaurant by end of summer|last=NYup.com|website=syracuse.com|date=February 4, 2012|language=en-US|access-date=February 20, 2019}} The restaurant re-opened in the summer of 2014. Weitsman has supported local philanthropic efforts through personal funding and this restaurant. In 2015, Weitsman and his wife donated the restaurant's profits to 16 regional nonprofit organizations.{{Cite web|url=https://auburnpub.com/news/local/part-of-that-pledge-the-krebs-in-skaneateles-donates-to/article_c774cd67-1794-5075-aca1-efdbb63de6da.html|title='Part of that pledge': The Krebs in Skaneateles donates $20,000 to four area organizations|last=Monfiletto |first=Jonathan |website=Auburn Citizen|date=January 30, 2015 |language=en|access-date=February 4, 2019}} {{subscription required}}{{Cite web|url=https://auburnpub.com/weitsmans-pay-it-forward-by-donating-krebs-restaurant-proceeds-to/article_cfef56ab-3e98-549e-8f55-7c24d2a7ad5e.html|title=Weitsmans pay it forward by donating Krebs restaurant proceeds to 12 local organizations|last= Malone|first=Christopher|website=Auburn Citizen|date=August 22, 2015 |language=en|access-date=February 4, 2019}} In 2018, Weitsman began construction on a Mexican restaurant, Elephant and the Dove, in addition to development of a sushi bar in Owego.{{Cite web|url=http://www.syracuse.com/restaurants/index.ssf/2018/05/construction_underway_on_adam_weitsmans_new_skaneateles_restaurant.html|title=Construction underway on Adam Weitsman's new Skaneateles restaurant|last=syracuse.com|website=syracuse.com|date=May 31, 2018|language=en-US|access-date=February 4, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://wnbf.com/adam-weitsman-planning-a-sushi-bar-for-owego/|title=Adam Weitsman Planning a Sushi Bar for Owego|last=Joseph|first=Bob|date=October 18, 2018|website=WNBF News Radio 1290}} The restaurant opened on April 11, 2019.{{Cite web|title=Elephant & The Dove|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv6s2IsAfS7/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/elephantandthedove/2016121017428210875 |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |url-access=registration|url-status=live|access-date=September 10, 2021|website=www.instagram.com}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web|last=david.wilcox@lee.net|first=David Wilcox|title=Elephant and the Dove: Inside the new Mexican restaurant in Skaneateles|url=https://auburnpub.com/lifestyles/elephant-and-the-dove-inside-the-new-mexican-restaurant-in-skaneateles/article_e373ac59-a1c8-522f-b815-d370380800c1.html|access-date=September 10, 2021|website=Auburn Citizen|date=April 7, 2019 |language=en}} In 2021, Weitsman announced a collaboration with Rise N Shine restaurant owner, Danielle Mecuri, for a new Italian restaurant in East Syracuse.{{Cite web|date=July 1, 2021|title=New Italian restaurant with zany, 'craveable' dishes coming to East Syracuse|url=https://www.syracuse.com/restaurants/2021/07/new-italian-restaurant-with-zany-craveable-dishes-coming-to-east-syracuse.html|access-date=September 10, 2021|website=syracuse|language=en}}

In 2021, he started Viridium LLC,{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/elevator-studio-adam-weitsman-form-144200723.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANDNQiMx9wbKXefkHSQ3YVxl4udFhvYvtpPR7pZO4cHt6jyzbHMdQFCnw-JFSYC72Lq4OAD281acabo_fz_aKkdtRal2Ls2QiFGJq92-g_ZfFLmvLvI4pMwRU5akPSl1r6ROsGxWuWg-IxEd8W1HHzKgT_JPSykMBuYnguSr36Cn|title = Elevator Studio and Adam Weitsman Form Investment Partnership to Purchase Metaverse Land for Business Development}} a cryptocurrency mining company.{{cite web |last1=Joseph |first1=Bob |title=First Look as Adam Weitsman Sets Up Owego Crypto Mining Farm |url=https://wnbf.com/adam-weitsman-sets-up-owego-crypto-mining-farm/ |website=WNBF |access-date=16 February 2022 |language=en |date=20 December 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Goldmacher |first1=Shane |last2=Lipton |first2=Eric |title=Selling Trump: A Profitable Post-Presidency Like No Other |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/12/us/politics/donald-trump-business-interests.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=12 February 2022}} As of 2022, he is a billionaire.{{cite news |last1=Brandt |first1=Libertina |title=Billionaire Entrepreneur Adam Weitsman Buys a $23.5 Million South Florida Penthouse He Saw on Instagram |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/billionaire-entrepreneur-adam-weitsman-buys-a-23-5-million-south-florida-penthouse-he-saw-on-instagram-11647541788 |access-date=14 January 2023 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=17 March 2022}}

Weitsman is involved philanthropically. He has a collection of 19th-century American stoneware which he has been donating to the New York State Museum in Albany since 1998. In 2019, Weitsman donated $100,000 for the renovation and expansion of the Rescue Mission's Clarence L. Jordan Food Service and Culinary Education Center.{{Cite web|date=August 7, 2019|title=Adam Weitsman donates $100K to charity to celebrate horse's win|url=https://www.syracuse.com/news/2019/08/adam-weitsman-donates-100k-to-syracuse-charity-to-celebrate-horses-win.html|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=syracuse|language=en}} In 2019, Weitsman donated $10,000 to Vera House, a non-profit tackling domestic and sexual violence abuse in Central New York.{{cite press release |title=Vera House is the Recipient of a $10,000 Donation from Local Businessman Adam Weitsman |url=https://www.verahouse.org/news/news-story/vera-house-is-the-recipient-of-a-10-000-donation-from-local-businessman-adam-weitsman |access-date=30 January 2023 |work=Vera House |date=November 18, 2019 |language=en-us}} In 2020, Weitsman offered a college campus he acquired to any federal, state, or local government agency to set up a base camp to help find a cure for the Coronavirus.{{Cite news|title=Coronavirus threat: Adam Weitsman offers former Davis College campus as health center|url=https://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/local/2020/03/17/coronavirus-binghamton-johnson-city-adam-weitsman-davis-college-hospital/5066214002/|access-date=July 8, 2020|work=Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin|language=en}}

Weitsman is fan of Syracuse University's athletic programs, especially the men's basketball.{{cite news |last1=Edelman |first1=KJ |title=Adam Weitsman and his $150,000 bet to Syracuse basketball |url=https://dailyorange.com/2019/01/adam-weitsman-150000-bet-syracuse-basketball/ |access-date=30 January 2023 |work=The Daily Orange |date=16 January 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Hubbs |title=Adam Weitsman Is the Most Mysterious/Interesting Man In America |url=https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/1634694/adam-weitsman-is-the-most-mysterious-man-in-america |access-date=30 January 2023 |work=Barstool Sports |date=January 8, 2020 |language=en}} He is a long-time friend of basketball coach Jim Boeheim.{{cite news |last1=Carlson |first1=Chris |title=How Adam Weitsman became Syracuse's most visible fan |url=https://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2019/03/how-a-bromance-between-jim-boeheim-adam-weitsman-created-syracuses-most-visible-fan.html |access-date=30 January 2023 |work=Syracuse Post-Standard |date=13 March 2019 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Edelman |first1=KJ |title=Friend of Jim Boeheim details hours after Wednesday crash |url=https://dailyorange.com/2019/02/friend-jim-boeheims-details-hours-wednesday-crash/ |access-date=30 January 2023 |work=The Daily Orange |date=21 February 2019}} In 2021, Weitsman offered to pay $1,000,000 to local charities, following the win of the basketball team, Boeheim's Army.{{Cite web|date=August 12, 2021|title=Adam Weitsman Gives Back To CNY In Major Way|url=https://www.localsyr.com/bridge-street/adam-weitsman-gives-back-to-cny-in-major-way/|access-date=September 10, 2021|website=WSYR|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=August 10, 2021|title=Adam Weitsman starts giving away $1 million to charities for Boeheim's Army's win. Here's how to apply|url=https://www.syracuse.com/news/2021/08/adam-weitsman-starts-giving-away-1-million-to-charities-after-boeheims-armys-tbt-championship.html|access-date=September 10, 2021|website=syracuse|language=en}} In September 2022, Weitsman announced that he will offer $1 million per year in Name, Image and Likeness deal to one five-star football player and one five-star basketball player to represent his companies, with a hope that athlete will find Syracuse to be a desirous destination, this however didn't pan out.{{cite news |title=Syracuse booster offering $1M NIL deals to represent his companies |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2022/09/20/Colleges/Syracuse-booster-one-million-dollar-NIL-deals.aspx |access-date=30 January 2023 |work=Sports Business Journal |date=September 20, 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Callaway |first1=Cathy |title=Adam Weitsman finds redemption in giving |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2022/10/06/adam-weitsman-finds-redemption-in-giving- |access-date=30 January 2023 |work=Spectrum News 1 Central New York |date=October 6, 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Stack |first1=Dan |title=Elijah Moore chooses Syracuse, Adam Weitsman |url=https://nildealnow.com/elijah-moore-syracuse-after-flight-orange-game-adam-weitsman/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128171129/https://nildealnow.com/elijah-moore-syracuse-after-flight-orange-game-adam-weitsman/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |access-date=30 January 2023 |work=The NIL Deal |date=28 January 2023}} He also had additional NIL deals in progress with Syracuse players, but there were no NIL commitments as of 2025.{{cite news |last1=Adler |first1=Neil |title=Syracuse Orange: Adam Weitsman has more than $1M in NIL with players |url=https://insidetheloudhouse.com/2023/01/14/syracuse-orange-adam-weitsman-1m-nil-players/ |access-date=30 January 2023 |work=Inside the Loud House |date=14 January 2023}}

Weitsman met his wife, Kim Weitsman (then Kim DeFrance) in the summer of 2000. In 2004, DeFrance left her modeling career to work alongside Weitsman as an operations manager for Upstate Shredding.{{Cite web|url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/john-meyer-mcalpine-booth-and-ferrier-interiors-renovation-upstate-new-york-19th-century-retreat-article|title=Look Inside This Renovated Upstate New York Lakeside Getaway|website=Architectural Digest|date=November 2013|language=en|access-date=February 4, 2019}} They married in June 2006 in Skaneateles and have three children.{{cite news |title=Scrap industry CEO funds charity food service facility renovations |url=https://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/adam-weitsman-funds-charity-food-service-facility-renovations/ |work=Recycling Today |language=en}}{{cite news |title=How Adam Weitsman became Syracuse's most visible fan |url=https://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2019/03/how-a-bromance-between-jim-boeheim-adam-weitsman-created-syracuses-most-visible-fan.html |work=syracuse.com |date=March 13, 2019 |language=en}}

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Category:Businesspeople from New York (state)

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Category:People from Owego, New York

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