Michael Amin
Michael Amin is a Los Angeles entrepreneur, investor, 4th-generation pistachio farmer and the founder and CEO of Primex World Inc., a premier California investment firm whose portfolio includes pistachio orchards, real estate, private equity funds and alternative investments.
Michael came to the United States at the age of 17 to pursue the American Dream, first as a student at Pepperdine University and later at Cal State Northridge, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business.
During college he participated in a business venture in which he purchased an apartment complex and converted it into a condominium community. After college he started a 1-hr photo company called “Quick Picks,” and was among the very first to start this type of business. The aim was to franchise the business model but the market quickly became saturated. He then went on to found Top Attorney’s Directory and Talking Yellow Pages.
In 1988 he started his first pistachio farm, in keeping with his family’s farming legacy. He subsequently founded Primex World Inc., where he serves as CEO.
In 2002 Michael Amin founded Maximum Difference Foundation (MDF). One focus of MDF is to motivate parents to educate themselves in the art and science of good parenting, laying the groundwork for stronger families and a better, happier and more cohesive society.
The foundation has a number of other focuses in a variety of categories. Healthcare charities include: Doctors without Borders, UMMA Relief, IAMA (Iranian American Medical Association), National MS Society, PACI (Persian American Cancer Institute), and Vibrant America.
Environmental charities include: Supporting organizations that combat deforestation by planting trees.
Education charities include: Omid Foundation, APSIH (Association of Professors & Scholars of Iranian Heritage), and Homeless Vocational Training. Criminal reform charities include: the Innocence Project.
Humanitarian and Bringing Justice in Situations of Injustices charities include: Amnesty International, Humans Rights Watch, Jewish Voices for Peace, Middle East Children Alliance, and American Near East Refugee Aid.
Michael Amin is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Farhang Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that promotes and celebrates Iranian art and culture.