Palm Beach Event Chairs
Howard Kessler
Founder and chairman of The Kessler Group, Howard Kessler is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country.
Howard Kessler pioneered the concept of affinity credit card marketing with MBNA in 1982 and has spent the ensuing decades building businesses that are focused on delivering solutions to partnership programs. Prior to founding The Kessler Group, Mr. Kessler served as president and chief financial officer of its predecessor company, Trans National Financial Services (Boston, Mass.), from 1979 to 1993. Mr. Kessler was a partner at Professional Financial Services (Philadelphia, Pa.) from 1978 to 1979 and was chief financial officer of Teachers Services Organization (currently Advanta) from 1972 to 1978.
Mr. Kessler and his wife Michele serve on a number of nonprofit boards in Boston, including Brigham and Women's Hospital, United Way of Massachusetts Bay, Babson College and Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Care. In addition to their deep involvement in the Boston philanthropic community, the Kesslers are active philanthropists in Palm Beach County, Florida, supporting a wide range of causes, including the Ireland Fund and the American Red Cross. Howard Kessler has been the recipient of numerous public service awards, including: the United Way Emerging Corporate Philanthropist Award and the Carolyn & Peter Lynch Award for the entrepreneur who made a significant difference in the lives of children.
Mr. Kessler earned a BS in Accounting from Temple University in 1969 and is a Certified Public Accountant.
