ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND RESPECT

This book is the outgrowth of the great team I have at 5WPR. I owe special thanks to the employees and clients we have had through the years who have allowed our firm to thrive and win. I wish I could mention all of you by name. It’s been more fun than I can describe, and the journey is just beginning. Thanks to each and every 5WPR employee for your dedication, hard work, support, and commitment.

Our client partners are amazing, special, and smart. We love working with them and appreciate the opportunities they present us.

The 5WPR family is fierce, furious, and fun; and I thank all of you every day. Let’s continue to go from strength to strength together.

Of course, thank you to all of the media: reporters, bloggers, producers, and others who have reported on our clients’ stories. There are too many of you to thank, but THANK YOU.

I can’t speak highly enough about Karen Kelly, my co-writer, who has worked tirelessly with me on this book. I appreciate her efforts tremendously. I also want to thank Carol Mann, my literary agent, she really gets it.

Of course, to my family:

My mother, Penina (Penny) Waga, to whom this boy from the Bronx owes everything. My mom’s self-sacrifice for so many years—her teaching me right from wrong and telling me to fight for what’s right and for what we believe in guides me every single day. Thank you for giving me values, courage, wisdom, strength, and decency. Yes, Mom, I “try to make the most of it and I see it is all really worth it.” Words can’t express my eternal gratitude to my mother for all of her love and sacrifice. I so much wish she were able to read this book and see the man I have become, the son she raised.

To my beloved wife, Zhanna, thank you for always being there and especially for your unfaltering love and support. Thanks for being the special person you are—caring, passionate, sweet, and so many other things—to our children and me. Through it all, I know I can count on you.

To my daughters, Rafaela and Emanuela. My biggest wish in my life is for you both to find pure, untarnished, indestructible, and utterly redeeming true peace and happiness. My children are the meaning in my life. I shall always cherish each of you and give you all my love.

My sister, Karin, thanks for all of your unconditional love and support. Mom would be so proud of you (as I am) for being the amazing person that you are. May all of your hopes and dreams come true. Keep building and keep growing. Thank you.

Special thanks and love to my father and his family.

Thanks are due to my uncle Phil Waga and his family.

Thanks to Udi Avshalomov for always being there for me. Udi is such a great friend and a special man I must thank for his deep friendship, counsel, honesty and trust. There aren’t many men like him around anymore. Thank you, Udi.

Barry Liben is an inspiration in so many ways and on so many levels—personal, business, and life. I appreciate Barry’s actions, words, and advice. I am grateful for all from the start-up of 5WPR.

Rabbi Avi Weiss is an amazing man who has taught me so much. He has blessed us with so many wonderful deeds and words of wisdom. He’s also my first PR teacher.

And of course, thanks to G-d for blessing me with all I have in this world. I thank G-d for all the blessings I have, and I pray to G-d that He continues to bless me with more.

There is so much more I want to say and do. I am just getting started in life.

Ronn David Torossian
2011