Michael Amin

Michael Amin serves as CEO of Primex World Inc. He founded the company in 1990, and began building a diversified portfolio that today ranges from pistachio orchards to real estate, private equity funds and alternative investments.

It was one of many achievements in a career that includes serial entrepreneurship, investing and pistachio farming.

Michael's American success story began in 1976, when at the age of 17 he came to the United States to pursue his studies 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 was involved in his first major business venture, which involved the purchase of an apartment community that was converted into a condominium complex. 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, following in his family's footsteps and becoming a 4th-generation pistachio farmer. Soon after, he became CEO of Primex World Inc.

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.

Among the other nonprofits in which he is active, Michael Amin devotes time and resources to the Farhang Foundation, which is dedicated to promoting and celebrating Iranian art and culture. He serves on the organization's Board of Trustees.