Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig joined forces to found Zingerman’s Delicatessen. They opened the doors on March 15, 1982. All they wanted at that time was a great corned beef sandwich and an organization with soul.

Zingerman’s started as 1300 square feet of combined restaurant and specialty food retail space, run solely by Paul, Ari and two employees. The Zingerman’s Community of Businesses now has 22 partners, employs over 750 people and generates over $55 million in annual sales from ten separate businesses: Zingerman’s Delicatessen (including Zingerman’s Catering), Zingerman’s Mail Order, Zingerman’s Bakehouse, Zingerman’s Training Inc., Zingerman’s Coffee Company, Zingerman’s Roadhouse, Zingerman’s Creamery, Zingerman’s Candy Manufactory, Zingerman’s Cornman Farms, and a Korean restaurant that is scheduled to open in 2016.

Paul believes that he has been successful in spite of the fact that he has limited natural talent and abilities because he has always thought that the only real limits are those of vision.

Position/Title

Chief Spiritual Officer, Zingerman’s Community of Businesses

Education

BS Zoology, U of M 1976 (after a 7 year undergraduate career)

Recognition

White House “Champion of Change” award 2014

Doctorate of Laws University of Michigan 2015

Career Highlights

Kissed Bonnie Raitt backstage after a concert.

University of Michigan commencement speaker Spring 2015

Other Business Affiliations

Past Director – United Bank & Trust – Washtenaw

Director – Priority Health

Community Activities

Board Director – Dawn Farms

Past Board President – Washtenaw Housing Alliance (2000-2007)

Founder/ Food Gatherers (1988), Board Director 1988-2012, Director Emeritus

Past Board President – NEW Center (2001-2008)

Past Member President’s Advisory Board Michigan Environmental Council

Past Board Director – Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (2003-2013)