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Published on: 7/10/2009
Last Visited: 8/13/2009
Donor Spotlight - Ali Saberioon, Hooked on Houston
Agency
7/10/2009
Donor Spotlight
Ali Saberioon: Hooked on Houston
Ali Saberioon left his native Iran before his 18th birthday.
He’s lived and traveled internationally and says from his perspective, there’s no place like Houston.
“The people of Houston are extremely different than every other place I’ve lived,†Saberioon said recently from his Galleria office where he is President and CEO of Sabco Oil and Gas, an oil and gas production company. “They’re warm, they’re welcoming, and they come from all different backgrounds.
They care about their society, about their culture, and about the environment.
People take serious interest in helping others.
You just don’t see that anywhere else.â€
Saberioon is a successful businessman, but he gets his greatest enjoyment from his philanthropic activities.
He gives generously of his time and financial resources.
Both he and his wife Gita are both keenly interested in education, human services and medical research. “Really, my interest is in helping others,†he said.
He learned that from his father, whom he described as a very generous man and “the go-to person†in the community as he was growing up. “He was the type of person people came to for advice,†Saberioon said. “I want to pass that on to my children.
In fact, that’s my hope for all kids â€" that they become useful members of society, reaching out and helping others.
“Children learn what they see around them,†he continued. “I’ve been to your centers and seen the people there.
When children at the neighborhood center see how much you care about others, it becomes part of their lifestyle.
That’s how they learn to be part of the community.â€
Saberioon says he’s greatly impressed with business and community leaders whose schedules are packed with responsibility, yet they make time to take care of the community and expect nothing in return.
That’s why he’s proud to be a Houstonian. “We’re all human, all children of God,†he explained. “So we need to be mindful of one another’s well-being.â€