Sam grew up in Baltimore and went to Cornell University to study engineering. He received a Master of Science in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering in 1966 and joined the Applied Mathematics group in Esso (Exxon) Research and Engineering. Over a career of nearly 40 years, he had significant overseas exposure in staff, line and management positions. His last assignments were: Managing Director Marketing in Japan, Downstream (Marketing, Transportation, Supply and Refining) Vice President in Norway Corporate, contact Director for Exxon Affiliate in Finland, Project Executive for worldwide project based inf Belgium and ExxonMobil European Regional Director, Fuels Marketing. During his career he had extensive experience developing and implementing successful strategies and leading multi-national teams.
After retiring in 2003, he came back to Baltimore and has remained active serving on a number of non-profit boards. Sam joined the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs in 2004 and was invited to the Board and Executive Committee in 2005. He currently serves as Treasurer. Other current Board positions include: Stevenson University, Chair of the Board Academic Affairs Committee and Board of Governors Baltimore Branch of the International Wine and Food Society.
Sam and his wife, Muffin, reside in Butler Maryland. He is the proud father of one daughter and two sons (who predeceased him), eight grandsons; the oldest of whom is serving in the USAF as an F-16 pilot and the youngest will enter high school in 2024.