Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, titans of America's commerce scene, are now titans of America's culture scene. Bill and Warren's greatness in business has now migrated to greatness in their philanthropic endeavors. They are trend setters. Philanthropy has always existed, just not on the level of Gates and Buffett. I suspect these two moguls have no idea what is about to happen as a result of their actions. Philanthropy will be the "in thing" for the next two decades.

Successful people take action. Successful people have passion. And the truly successful people help others succeed.

Last night I was fortunate to see action and passion in a man who I had never heard of until two weeks ago. A man who's parents immigrated to Boston from Russia and Germany. A man, in spite of his humble beginnings, who managed to attend Boston University and Duke University, and set off to Dallas to make his mark. 85 years old, this man has made his mark, building his fortune through real estate. Along the way he and his wife Patsy assembled perhaps the greatest private sculture collection in the world.

So great is this man's passion that he built two world class museums to house his collection - one at Duke University which opened last October and the second in Dallas.

Ray Nasher - a man of passion and action. Ray's philosophy is simple - a combination of commerce and culture makes a city better and stronger. Commerce and culture have a significant positive economic impact on a city. I am convinced Ray is right.

We should all have the passion, action and philosophy of Ray Nasher.

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive