An Interview with Dr. Frank F Islam

Dr. Frank F. Islam is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, civic leader and thought leader. Frank has a special commitment to civic, educational and artistic causes. In all ofhis endeavors, he strives to create opportunities that are sustainable and uplifting for humanity — guided by the virtues of hard work, focus, quality, innovation and kindness.

Frank currently heads the FI Investment Group, a private investment holding company that he established in 2007 after he sold his information technology firm, the QSS Group. Frank founded the QSS Group in 1994 and built it from 1 employee to more than 2,000 employees and revenues of approximately $300M before its sale.

Frank devotes the majority of time currently to a wide variety of civic and philanthropic activities. He serves and has served on numerous boards and advisory councils

1. You came as an Immigrant from India, and lived the American dream and achieved great success. Could you share a little bit of your life story and what you did to be successful in America?

Let me begin to answer that by borrowing a line from Woody Allen who said, “90% of life is just showing up.” I became successful by concentrating on the other 10%. That 10% was:
 Getting a good education
 Doing my apprenticeship
 Becoming an entrepreneur and willing to take risk
 Building a strong team who shared my values and vision
 Moving on to other things

I came to the United States from India at the age of 15. I got my masters and bachelors in computer science at the University of Colorado.

I always wanted to start my own business I worked with two major information technology firms in the Washington DC area for 10 years. That gave me the skills and real world grounding

In 1994, I purchased the QSS Group for $45,000. Within 13 years, along with my management team, we took that firm from a workforce of 1 employee to more than 2,000 employees and approximately $300 million in revenue.

Success in business is a team sport. It was not me but we who made it happen.

I sold my company to Perot Systems in 2007. That sale allowed me to establish a private foundation that supports educational, cultural and artistic causes in the United States and around the world. I am focusing today on sharing and giving back. In many ways that process of sharing and giving back is more rewarding than any of the money that I have earned throughout my business career.

2.) Being an extremely successful Muslim from India, What message do you want to convey to Indian Muslims, particularly youth and other young and budding entrepreneur?

Let me share some of my thoughts and messages to young Muslim youths:
a. Be the best you can be

b. Exploit your fullest potentials

c. Get a good education

d. Stay true to you

e. Be something special to someone in particular

f. Be a lifelong learner

g. Never give up

h. Create your own legacy

i. Make it your own journey

j. Do well but also do good

k. No hope should be high enough to achieve and no dream should be big enough to achieve, Do not think anything is impossible. Make impossible as possible.

l. When you are successful provide ladders of opportunity for others to succeed

m. When you are successful invest in others by sharing and giving back

n. Dedicate yourselves to draw upon the values, ingenuity, decency , dignity, and spirit that have always defined the greatness of our community

I ask them to not forget their heritage and roots. I want them to extend their hand, hope, and heart to those who need assistance and to those who are less fortunate.

I will tell them to become not only leaders for the next generations but also makers of change.

3. Why do you engage in philanthropic activities?

I am a philanthropist. I want to help others to succeed.
Americans from all walks of life and income levels are extraordinarily generous in this regard. They dig deep to assist those in need both in the United States and around the world.

I give because I believe firmly in what John Fitzgerald Kennedy said. That is “To whom much is given, much is expected.” I do not really look at my contribution as philanthropy but rather as a repayment of a loan and an investment.
My parents taught me to treat people in the way you are being treated. Give dignity and respect to others. Do what you can do to serve your community.
I feel it is my responsibility to give back. By the way, I don’t see this just as a charitable act. I see it as investment in individuals and their future.

My fondest hope and expectation is in the future there will be persons whom I made investment will make similar investment in others. When that happens it will make my investments sustainable. It is much more rewarding to give than to make money.

One of our criteria for investing is enabling and empowering people by giving then a helping hand and a hand up rather than a handout.

4. You recently announced a $2 million donation to your Aligarh Muslim University to establish the Frank and Debbie School of Management and establish an endowed chair at the school. Tell us more about it.

We are uniquely blessed. We embody the American Dream. With that thought and spirit in mind, my wife Debbie and I have committed $2M to support the building of the Frank and Debbie Islam School of Management at AMU.
Aligarh shaped my history and my journey and determined my destiny. Aligarh remains an inseparable part of my life and my story and my journey. Sir Syed’s principles have always guided me during the time of calm or crisis We have been enriched, enabled, and empowered by AMU.

We are extremely pleased to invest in the School of Management because of the emphasis it will place on entrepreneurship and preparing the students at AMU to become entrepreneurial leaders and engage in economic development activities that will create jobs and opportunities for thousands of people throughout India.

We see our contribution not as a charity but as an investment that will yield exponential returns.

Some of the values that I got from AMU that I still cherish and nourish and nurture include: a love of education; humility and optimism, do well but do good; keeping steadfast to a standard of excellence; and living in peace and harmony by being tolerant and respecting the dignity of each person.

5. In US, you gave $1 million to the US Institute of Peace and $1M to the Kennedy Center. Tell us more about it?

We have generously contributed close to $1M to USIP. I firmly believe in US Institute of Peace mission- an organization devoted to nonviolent prevention and mitigation of conflict around the globe. USIP is very much engaged in curbing violent extremism. In addition they are engaged to make the transition to peaceful and stable democracy.

Another reason for being involved with USIP is my faith. I treasure my faith. Dignity and peace and justice is in our faith. Being a Muslim has taught me many things – but the most important is that the whole purpose of religion is to provide justice and a path to justice for all of us.

I have learned as a Muslim to believe in the unity of all creation and that everything and everyone is a reflection of God on earth. Because of that I have also learned that there are just people and that just people do just things.
My wife Debbie and I love arts and culture. Art plays a pivotal role in connecting, inspiring, engaging, and educating communities. It has a unifying healing power. It represents the very best of our humanity.

6. You have a Foundation, What are the areas your foundation are involved.

Education and promotion of the art are two of the areas our foundation are involved. It is focused on critical areas that can make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, the nature of society, and the direction of the world.
Education is a pivot point because it is the great equalizer and opportunity creator. Education is especially important for those who are economically and socially disadvantaged. Education enables them to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to achieve their full potential and to move up the ladder of success. If they succeed all of us succeed.

Art is also a pivot point because it educates and advances social causes. Art plays a pivotal role in connecting, inspiring, engaging, educating, communities. Art and culture transcend all boundaries. Art has unifying and healing power.
Art brings us joy and insights that are transcendent.

7. Why is education important and why are you investing in education in India and the U.S.?

We not only support education institutions in India, but we also give to other educational institution as well here in US.

Supporting educational institutions is one of our highest priorities because education is the key to opportunity and the bridge to the future.

Education is the gift that keeps on giving. Education empowers the mind and lifts the soul. It is powerful equalizer for opening doors to all to lift themselves out of poverty. Education is the best investment we can make to build next generations of innovators and leaders and problem solvers. Education propels individuals and move the nation forward.

Education frees the human mind from the scale of ignorance. I agree what President Obama once said: Education will be the currency of 21st Centaury
We have made major gifts and supported scholarships at my alma mater in the United States, the University of Colorado at Boulder and at my wife’s alma mater in Canada, Western University. Other educational institutions we have supported, to name just a few, include: George Mason University and American University and Marymount University.

While education is important in America, the needs are even greater in India and that is why I am supporting initiatives in India. My intent is to use education as a tool to improve the socio-economic status of the underprivileged in India. When you empower underprivileged by empowering them with education and economic mobility, they will do wonders. My desire is those who benefit will in turn contribute towards social, political, and economic development in India

8. What honors and awards have you received?

I have been privileged and blessed to receive many honors and awards. I truly appreciate all of them. Two awards that have special meaning for me because of my interests and heritage are: Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award for International Service, UP Ratna Award, and Interfaith Leadership Award.
In my acceptance speech for the Martin Luther King Award I said: Being doubly blessed to receive this award because of indelible connection between Dr. King and Mahatma Gandhi. Dr King and Gandhi have been beacons to me in my personal life and charitable and philanthropic involvement. I have heard the words of Dr. King and am trying my best to “walk in the light and “to be the change”. I know that is true for many others also.

In receiving UP Ratna award, I said in my acceptance speech: I feel a strong connection to the past and future of U.P. Because of this.

In my acceptance speech for the Interfaith Leadership Award I said: we need to build bridges, to break down the barriers, and to promote dialogue of understanding and a shared sense of community with other faiths..

9. What is your thoughts on freedom of faith in India?

There has been some religiously motivated killings and riots in India. There are some people but I must emphasize not all people who represent an ugly and intolerant face of India. Unfortunately there are some people whose voices of intolerance and prejudice and hostility and bigotryare dividing India along the lines of faith. It is frightening as to why some of them have become divisive and extremists. America and India share a lot of ideals and values which includes democracy and diversity and inclusiveness. These are the values that binds us together. In addition the constitution of India guarantees religious, social, political rights to its citizens including minorities. They should find a common ground to restore peace and communal harmony. There are a lot that united them and there are little that divide them. Their bond are stronger than the differences that drive them apart.

Prime Minister Modi has spoken many times on civility and tolerance. Even President Obama spoke on religious freedom and tolerance when he was in India.

I firmly believe there need to be voice for understanding and cooperation and civility between faiths. We need to uphold the right of every person. We need to make sure all Indians regardless of his or her faith and background and belief should be given equal opportunity.

10. Can you tell us your journey from Aligarh to America?

I have not forgotten my humble roots. I never lost my love of Aligarh. It remains an inseparable part of my life, my story and my journey. I still cherish and nourish the fond memories of Aligarh. It has helped shape the lives of many generations. It has inspired and influenced many generations.

Growing up in India had an enormous impact on the person I am today. It’s here that I learned lessons from my family, this country,and Aligarh Muslim University.

I grew up in a middle-classfamily. They shaped my beliefs and value systems.
In the neighborhood where I grew up, all of us from different backgrounds and different faiths learned to work side-by-side because we were bound together in the service of others.

My days at Aligarh Muslim University have had a profound effect on me. It was an exciting time of my life, though I must admit… sometimes it was chaotic. But nevertheless, it was filled with charms, cheers, changes, and challenges. The leaders of A.M.U. have shaped our history and our destiny. The principles of A.M.U have always guided me.

11. Who is your role model and why?

John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Not because he was a politician but because he was a man of peace who called upon us all to get involved and to make a positive difference in our country and the world.

In his inaugural address, President Kennedy famously said, “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” That appeal resonated with me when I was a youth and even more so now.

I am continuously looking for ways to make contributions to my birth country of India and my adopted homeland of the United States. I support charities and educational institutions in both places. I have written two books in the past three years directed at making the United States a better place and the American dream achievable for all Americans.

12. Tell me about an accomplishment that you consider to be most significant?

As I mentioned earlier, growing my business was an accomplishment, but as with most accomplishments, it was not mine alone. It was a team effort.

I also believe that life is a journey and not a destination and that each of us defines ourselves by what we do throughout that journey.

My most significant accomplishment then will be the next one to come on the journey…and the one after that, and the one after that….