The Best Weekend Reading Possible

Earlier this morning we put out the Jef_All (included at the bottom of this note) celebrating the 20 Year Anniversary of Felix Ortiz at Jefferies.  Now we are including something much more special.  Last night Felix sent one of us a very personal note about what being a part of Jefferies for 20 years has meant to him.   We believe Felix’s note is much more important than anything we could have written.  It speaks of hard work, commitment, attitude, constant improvement, determination, gratitude, legacy and life.  This has been a very tough and trying time for all of us at Jefferies, our families and our friends.  Felix’s note reminds us all about how fortunate and privileged we are to have each other at Jefferies.  We are all socially distanced working from remote locations, but we are all still together as one firm on a mission.  Let’s finish the work day strong and enjoy a great fall weekend with our families and loved ones.

Thank you again Felix,

Rich and Brian

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The Last 20 Years

I still remember the year 2000 vividly. In February 2000, I had recently tore my ACL as I played point guard for BMCC. I received some crushing news, I knew I had hurt myself but didn’t know the extent. I quickly had surgery and dropped some classes that would be difficult attending. I took the summer to rehab and regain strength promising myself that I’d be back out there stronger than ever. As September approached I learned that my girlfriend was pregnant. I was worried sick because I didn’t have a job. I worked for the University club throughout college checking coats for their events or being a busboy for their dinners but it was on an on-call basis and nothing to really rely on. A buddy of mine asked me if I wanted to work helping him out in the mailroom at some firm called Jefferies. I agreed to meet the office manager and it went pretty well.  I quickly made up my mind that if hired, I would forego the fall semester. I was hired part time. There were 3 floors at the time. I’d never been to such a place. Every place I worked at before was retail or being a summer camp counselor. This was all new to me. Guys trading, bankers. It was just a different world. My father was a Chef. He was handy. He would often bring home “junk” as my mother referred to it, appliances to rebuild, fix. I knew I had no interest in cooking nor fixing things. My friends’ fathers were dead beats or weren’t around. I was one of the lucky ones. We looked up to sports stars, neighborhood tough guys that seemed to have life figured out. Jefferies quickly became my escape. I tried my best to do everything they asked of me. I picked up quickly because most of it was common sense. I had trouble in school but not because of academics but because of outside interference. My neighborhood was a tough one. Just getting to school was an obstacle. In order to avoid certain blocks we had to take alternate routes to school. Sometimes they’d wait for us after school so we’d have to cut out the back way. Stupid territory beefs. You can get “jumped” simply by replying the wrong answer to “what block you from?”. I grew up in an all black projects in an all Hispanic neighborhood. The Hispanics felt I should be hanging with them not my black friends which were also tough on me because I had to prove my manhood or toughness to my black friends because I was still ultimately Hispanic. Fast forward to a different world. It was fast moving. The traders would yell at each other. Guys would be in suits. I found out guys make great livings there. Have houses, cars, families. I wanted to be around this energy. My daughter was born and I was now working full time to try to keep a roof over her head. My daughter’s mother at the time wasn’t working. She was trying to get her degree in education so money was real tight. I continued to apply myself at work because it was all I had. Time went by and I was promoted to mailroom supervisor. Any document, package coming through Jefferies, I sorted. I didn’t take that lightly. I had a responsibility and I wanted to do well. I always felt that I can do anything I was taught/explained. Jefferies soon became my home. As Jefferies grew, so did I. We quickly doubled in floors. Several years went by and there was an opening in the Facilities dept. One of my colleagues at the time suggested I’d be great for it.  I was nervous but knew so many great people at the firm, I went for it. I soon became the contact for mostly all Jefferies vendors. I was in charge of Jefferies security, looking at floorplans and adding surveillance camera locations. I was in charge of the Jefferies security access systems where I would enable/disable card access for all employees in the US. I became involved in all Jefferies projects, builds, while still working the facilities day to day. Fast forward to present day. I’m still here at Jefferies and still running most of the Facilities day to day and am still one of Jefferies main contacts for just about anything. I’ve learned so much here. I won’t sit here and act like I dreamed of being a Facilities coordinator, no one does. Sure I have regrets in hindsight. Wish I would’ve stayed in school. Wish I had someone to guide me through education, teach me about finances, credit. Tell me that a whole world exists out there of endless opportunities. But that wasn’t my path. Everyone’s journey is different. Today I sit here reflecting on the last 20 years. I came to Jefferies a 21 year old young man and I’m here as a 41 year old man. I grew up here. I’m truly thankful for the opportunity and couldn’t begin to express all I have learned about Life just by being employed at Jefferies. I feel as if Jefferies saved me. I learned allot of things that don’t “show up on the stat sheet” as they say in sports terms. I learned how to engage with people, groups, learned to lead, manage, suggest, listen, observe, delegate. Hell…I learned to dress here! It took me a while to figure out businessmen mostly wore white or blue shirts. Wow, 20 yrs later. My daughter is 19 now and attending Potsdam University with the help of the Jefferies Financial Scholarship. I couldn’t be more thankful. Trying to guide her with everything I have learned here at Jefferies throughout the years. I remember reading an article back in 2010 I think. It said you single handedly saved Jefferies from going under. I saw you that week in the elevator and wanted to thank you but couldn’t muster up enough courage to speak to you. “Ahh, he’s too busy” I thought. Well, there will only be one 20-year anniversary and no time like today. Thank you.

PS please do not share!

(PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE EMAIL TRAIL BELOW)

On Sep 18, 2020, at 12:00 AM, Richard Handler <[email protected]> wrote:

Omg. I just finished working on your note for tomorrow. I would consider it a privilege to share your amazing note with the firm (and the world). I won’t if you truly don’t want me to,  it  is beyond inspirational. Regardless, I want to have lunch with you to celebrate when the world isn’t so crazy. I would never be too busy for you.  I hope you won’t be for me. Best, R

PS let me know if I can share. I promise you that you won’t regret it but I will respect you if you decide not.  

On Sep 18, 2020, at 4:32 AM, Felix Ortiz <[email protected]> wrote:

I’m super nervous and just dislike being the center of attention. I mean, it took me hours just to hit “send” to you. I hate to be judged by my background or lack of schooling but I’ll leave it up to you if you feel sending the note is a good thing.  Just know that I’m freaking out already!

PS I would never say no to lunch with you

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 18, 2020, at 7:31 AM, Richard Handler <[email protected]> wrote:

You will only be judged by your character and of that my friend, you are a leader.  I’m going to let you think about this for a few hours before you finally decide.  I think the world needs to learn who you are and they will be inspired. That said, I don’t want you to ever feel awkward. 

Sent from my iPhone

That means everything coming from you. Permission to use as you feel…

Sent from my iPhone

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Our Original Note Thanking Felix:

Felix Ortiz

Felix Ortiz joined the Jefferies team in 2000 as a part-time NYC mailroom employee in Investment Banking. Everyone quickly noticed his ability to work easily with the team, and his great attitude made him a welcome member of the Jefferies family during our early years of growth at 520 Madison. Felix eagerly enjoyed learning the faces and names of Jefferies employees.  It was apparent to all of us that he sincerely wanted to become part of the firm’s strong growth so we quickly offered Felix a full-time position as our mailroom supervisor.

With the firm’s continued expansion at 520 Madison, Felix became increasingly involved with the Facilities team and now assists with maintenance, project management and moves. He has proven to have many skills and the high-touch “MO” required to make what could be a disruptive experience during a facilities project or move into a seamless event with minimal impact on Jefferies’ daily business.

When away from Jefferies, Felix enjoys Facetiming with his daughter, Kaylee, who was awarded a Jefferies Scholarship to pursue her interest in science at SUNY Potsdam. He also enjoys going for a run and playing poker with his friends if he’s not kicking back to watch a sports event, especially the Los Angeles Lakers—he’s been a loyal fan now for over 35 years!

Felix, Jefferies would not be where we are today without your integral role in helping us run smoothly with your competence and wonderful attitude you have displayed every day for the last 20 years 

Thank you Felix for consistently delivering such great results with pride and enthusiasm!

Rich and Brian