MEN WHO DREAM CAN DO
George Zakhem
Born in a small village in the mountains of Lebanon, raised through an austere and parochial childhood, George Zakhem always nurtured dreams of one day making his mark in the wider world. Ultimately he achieved the success he sought as an international entrepreneur, pursuing his path and branching out in a multitude of directions through a combination of hard work and a steely determination to keep his feet firmly on the ground whatever financial and political storms raged about him.
As a junior employee in C.A.T. (Contracting & Trading Company), his early encounter with the legendary Emile Bustani – a presidential hopeful in Lebanon, whose career was cut tragically short in an air crash – provided him with his initial inspiration. He came to see Bustani, famous in the Middle East for his non-sectarian business principles, as a role model and mentor and a pointer towards both boldness and ingenuity. His own business life then saw him traverse many a continent, searching for opportunities with a sharp, discerning eye.
Inevitably Zakhem’s business career had its ups and downs, but his pioneering spirit and rare qualities of fortitude enabled him to defy moments of crisis, and time and again saved him to live another day. His generosity of spirit led on naturally to his charitable work, so this too became an integral part of his life.
In recounting his life story, George Zakhem interweaves an intriguing narrative with many vignettes and anecdotes on personalities and events that are entertaining as well as enlightening. His book combines the optimism of hope with his Christian faith.
George Zakhem is a man of vision who is internationally recognised for his success in the field of engineering and construction, as well as for his philanthropic services to education.
Praise for Men Who Dream Can Do...
‘You have brought back to life a lot of values which have almost become extinct nowadays. Each page had its own unique flavour. I could smell the olive trees, I could breathe the precious mountain air of Lebanon, I could feel the heavenly parental love and sacrifice, the dedication, determination, will power, struggle, hardship, resistance, and most of all pride, which carved a very special person like you. Your transparency and openness made all that tangible to an extent it brought tears to my eyes. But the highest virtue of all is your endeavour to help in educating new generations, in laying the bricks to brighter futures affecting many people, especially the needy ones. Your honourable background coupled with your experiences in life and all the above qualities have visualised your dreams into reality, and, yes, Mr Zakhem, men who dream can indeed do.’
Omayma Murtada
‘I have read your life story with great interest. Having known you very closely for many years, I suddenly found myself enmeshed in the lucidity, simplicity, truthfulness and spontaneity that characterized the book. Yours is a story of success. As the title of the book rightly put it: “Men who dream can do.”’
Basel Aql
‘Besides the highly descriptive sections from your youth and then AUB education, the story of the birth and growth of Zakhem Engineering is truly inspiring. It should be on the reading syllabus of leading business schools and a case study for their students. Having worked in both Qatar and India (but not Pakistan), I could somewhat relate to your early work in those countries. The early association with CAT and the great Emile Boustany is a story in itself, I believe. As for the subsequent growth of the company in Africa andEurope, that was a pleasure to read and to learn from. Though I don’t know you personally, the book made me so proud of Lebanese entrepreneurship, the Koura and your family in particular.’
Adib Salem
‘This is a personal story of George Zakhem who from a small village in Lebanon where there wasn’t even a primary school progressed to become a successful businessman and philanthropist. After his graduation in Engineering from the American University in Beirut he started his career as an engineer with CAT (Contracting and Trading Company). He worked on a number of civil engineering projects for CAT in Pakistan before he started his own engineering company at the age of 27. Over the years his engineering work has expanded throughout the Middle East, Africa and Europe. His company has successfully completed a large number of major projects in oil, gas and construction. He has built his engineering business into a reputable international company by his dogged determination, great intelligence, abundance of energy and a soft human touch, in volatile regions of the world by overcoming all obstacles and difficulties that would have overwhelmed an ordinary person. His journey from his village, Deddah, in Lebanon to South Kensington inLondon has crossed over four continents. Throughout his career he has had the opportunity and privilege to meet and deal with high officials, heads of governments and religious dignitaries. His story is inspiring and is written without any pretentions. He is a strong believer in good education and a passionate family man and beholden of strong Christian ethics. He has contributed a lot of his time and energy and a substantially large amount of money in the cause of higher education in his country of birth. His major contributions include the Zakhem Engineering Building at the Lebanese American University, Byblos Campus and The Hannah and Selim Zakhem Building at Balamand University.’
Dr Munir Ahmad, Research Fellow, Imperial College
‘I read your book and learned a great deal from it. I admire you and your achievements. I think all young people should read it. You can be such a powerful role model for all of them. I will certainly recommend it to a lot of students and friends as well.’
Joseph G. Jabbra, Ph.D., President Lebanese American University
‘By dint of hard work, brains and sheer guts, George Zakhem has built a highly impressive international enterprise. This story of success by a poor boy from a remote Lebanese village is truly inspirational.’
Patrick Seale
‘...While at times he can show impatience, it is because his strict standards render him sometimes too demanding. George’s story is a remarkable narrative of uninhibited self-revelation, not shying away from admitted flaws but always within the framework of pride in his successes and achievements. This memoir brings together the intimacy of belonging, the dilemma for a Lebanese who seeks to escalate Lebanon’s contribution and the hope to contribute to the reconciliation that has eluded the political Lebanon. Being a rooted Lebanese and a Lebanese immigrant, George Zakhem unravels the futility of hopelessness and the potential for accomplishment despite adversity.’
Clovis Maksoud
‘Your book is truly inspirational for me and for the Lebanese youth of today.’
Rami Hraiki
‘George Zakhem is an engineer, preoccupied with numbers, figures and precise data, yet he is also a poet of the spirit who is able to invite us into his world and teach us how to live life and grow as individuals... This is a book that will be widely read, as long as men seek to reach the essence of being in the thoughts of great men and the beauty of the world around them.’
From a review by Suheil Bushrei, Professor Emeritus at Maryland University
‘I’ve read your book and have found it extremely interesting, especially in learning how you gained your work experience and started your own company. It’s a great testament to your dedication to succeed in business, sometimes against all odds.’
John Garcha
‘I thoroughly enjoyed reading your autobiography; it is an inspirational and educational read. It was, certainly, very exciting to get an insight into your many journeys. You have lived and lead an eventful life, fuelled by vision and motivation...’
Lara Baloyan
‘When I saw the publication of Men Who Can Dream Can Do...I felt honoured, excited and full of pride... You are indeed the inspiration for each and every hard-working man as you have shown us the way of how it was and will be done. Moreover and more importantly you have proved that all is possible.’
Johnny Zakhem, Regional Director Finance & Business Support, Planning & Analysis, Greater China InterContinental Hotels Group
‘Congratulations for a most brilliant book. The title is excellent and is laid attractively on the cover. Your story and your memoirs are inspiring, deeply moving and make for compelling reading. Men who dream can indeed do great things.’
Leila Tannous