Gerald Washington is living proof that the American dream is alive and well! Having built several million-dollar companies in his early twenties, he lost everything during the economic down turn of the late 2000's. Humbled, and forced to work at Taco Bell to feed his family, his drive and tenacity have allowed him to return to the top of the proverbial mountaintop. He is now the President and Co-Owner of East 112th Street Productions, as well as an Executive Producer of Steve, Steve Harvey's new daytime talk show, Executive Producer for Funderdome, Showtime at the Apollo, Family Feud, Celebrity Family Feud, Little Big Shots, and for the Miss Universe/Miss USA franchise. Recently, he has also served as Executive Producer of the Emmy Award winning Steve Harvey TV Show.
Washington's quick ascension to the top of the television world should not come as a surprise, as he has a long-standing history as a successful innovator and entrepreneur. He made $7,000 per year selling candy in high school and while at Occidental College, founded a marketing company that promoted national concert tours and counted Coca-Cola among its clients. After obtaining a Bachelor's in Advanced Economics with a minor in Psychology from Occidental, Washington founded a real estate company with his then girlfriend, and future wife, Patrice. They amassed over 40 houses and the company saw annual revenues of over $2 million, but the 2008 recession hit them hard. As fate would have it, Washington was introduced to Steve Harvey's former manager, during those down years. After working a 12-hour shift at Taco Bell, Washington would drive to McDonald's residence and work as an overnight security guard. He was eventually offered an assistant position with Steve Harvey's production company.
The rest, as they say, is history. Washington climbed the production ladder at the company, before eventually being promoted to Co-Executive Director of the Steve Harvey Foundation, and later Partner and President of the Steve Harvey World Group. As Harvey's current partner and business manager, Washington has helped negotiate deals with companies such as T-Mobile, Ford, State Farm, NBC, Fox, and State Farm. He has also overseen the growth of new business ventures like the transformational coaching company Act Like a Success and Easy Bacon, Harvey's first food product. Losing everything during the recession, only to bounce back even stronger, has proven that Gerald Washington is the ultimate winner. His unique management style and business acumen only ensure that you will be hearing his name for years to come.
