Businessman Benjamin Gaon died last night at the age of 73 after a long illness. He was surrounded by family at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center - Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. Gaon was president of the Israel Cancer Society and chairman and president of B. Gaon Holdings Ltd. (TASE: GAON). Details of the funeral will be announced later.
Benjamin Gaon, the brother of singer Yehoram Gaon, was born in Israel in 1935 and studied business administration in Geneva. He led several of Israel's top companies and was active in public service as well.
Gaon revived struggling Koor Industries Ltd. (TASE:KOR), after taking over as president and CEO in 1988. He left the company in 1998. Koor is now a subsidiary of IDB Holding Corp. Ltd. (TASE:IDBH), controlled by chairman and CEO Nochi Dankner.
Gaon's other posts included chairman of Blue Square Israel Ltd. (NYSE: BSI; TASE: BSI) in 1999-2000, chairman of IKEA Israel in 1999-2000, chairman of Delek Group Ltd. (TASE: DLEKG) in 1998-2000, chairman of New Hamashbir Lazarchan Ltd. (TASE:MSZB) in 1999-2000, and chairman of Tadiran Ltd. in 1988-1998.
Gaon established B. Gaon Holdings in July 1998. The company has floated a number of subsidiaries in the past two years, including Gaon Agro Industries Ltd. (TASE: GAT) and Ace Auto Depot Ltd. (TASE:ACDP).
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 11, 2008
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