Beny Alagem was born in Israel.[1][2] He was a tank driver.[3] Alagem studied at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona where he met fellow Israeli immigrants Jason Barzilay and Alex Sandel. In 1983, Alagem would partner up with Sandel and Barzilay to start Cal-Abco, a wholesaler of computer parts. In 1986, all three then invested into creating Packard Bell. As of 1995, Cal-Abco was still intact and was listed in the Packard Bell prospectus as a supplier of parts to Packard Bell with a shared credit line between the two companies.[4]
Alagem founded Packard Bell, a personal computer manufacturer, in 1986.[1][5] He served as its chief executive and president until 1998, when he resigned after he disagreed with NEC and Groupe Bull, the two other main shareholders.[5] In January 1999, he acquired the rights to the AST Research name from Samsung.[6][7]
Plate. Monument "The Tel Aviv foundation". Tel Aviv. Israel.
Alagem serves as the chairman of the Alagem Capital Group, an asset management firm headquartered in Beverly Hills, California.[8][9][10] In December 2003, Alagem purchased the Beverly Hilton Hotel from entertainer Merv Griffin for US$130 million through Oasis West Realty LLC, where he serves as chief executive officer.[1][8][11] He proceeded to renovate it for an extra US$90 million.[1] He oversaw the development of the Beverly Hills Waldorf Astoria with Guggenheim Partners, which was dedicated in 2017.[1][8][9] Designed by the architectural firm Gensler,[12] it is adjacent to the Beverly Hilton Hotel.[8] The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills was the first new luxury hotel for the brand on the West Coast.[13]
Alagem was appointed an honorary ambassador of the City of Tel Aviv in 1995.[14] He serves as an honorary member of the board of directors of the Israeli-American Council (IAC).[14] Indeed, he has been described by The Jewish Daily Forward as one of the "major donors" to the IAC.[15] For example, he underwrote the entire cost of the Council Leadership Gala on March 11, 2012.[16] He also serves on the advisory board of the American Friends of The Citizens' Empowerment Center in Israel, a non-profit organization headquartered in Beverly Hills which promotes peace in Israel through research and education.[17]
