A.J. Steigman
| A.J. Steigman | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
June 23, 1985 Orlando, FL |
| Alma mater | Emory University Goizueta Business School |
| Occupation | Investment Banker & Entrepreneur |
| Organization | Soletron |
| Title | Founder & CEO |
Allen "A.J." Steigman (born June 23, 1985) is an American entrepreneur, chess player, and former investment banker. Steigman is currently CEO of Soletron.com.
Steigman was born in Orlando, Florida but grew up in Coral Springs, Florida. Steigman, a childhood prodigy, was an international chess champion, and one of the best chess players in the United States. He attended University School of Nova Southeastern University for high school. In high school, Steigman contracted Lyme Disease and almost died. He had to take a year off from school. He credits chess in helping his mind recover from the disease. Steigman went on to win in the 2002 US Junior Open one year after being diagnosed.
Steigman attended Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. He was awarded the Goodrich C. White academic scholarship and was involved in student government as well as the development of Emory’s award-winning chess program. He was known for playing simultaneous exhibitions involving as many as 40 individuals.
Steigman has been an advocate of chess. He was a donor to the World Chess Hall of Fame and Sidney Samole Museum in Miami, Florida. He was also involved in a community service program where he played inmates in high security prisons.
A.J. Steigman learned chess at the age of 4, and played in his first tournament at age 5. He was coached by Bill Cornwall, a nationally-known chess teacher and award-winning columnist. Steigman has numerous chess accomplishments such as: being ranked #1 in the U.S. for his age group for 8 years in a row (1993–2001), being awarded the title of Chess Master at age 13 (the same age as when Bobby Fischer became a master), being the first Floridian ever to make the All-America Chess Team of which he was a member for 8 years. Steigman was one of the best professional Quickchess players in the United States for years.Steigman won the 2002 U.S. Junior Open Championship and turned down a full scholarship to The University of Texas to attend Emory University.
Steigman was selected by the United States Chess Federation to represent the U.S. in international competitions. He represented the U.S. in the World Youth Championships in Sao Lourenco, Brazil (1995); Cannes, France (1997); and Oropesa del Mar, Spain (1999). Steigman's highest international performance was tying for 12th in the world in Cannes, France. He and Irina Krush of New York were the highest-scoring members of the 11-person U.S. team. Several years later, he traveled to the Pan-American Championships in Argentina (2001). Steigman, though currently inactive, is ranked in the top 1% of all chess players in the U.S.
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