Rags-to-riches story of Russian-born Rangers tycoon who leads $500m plan to transform USA's most crime-ridden areas
He's one of three new faces joining Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe on the Rangers board
GENE GILLS Rags-to-riches story of Russian-born Rangers tycoon who leads $500m plan to transform USA's most crime-ridden areas
RANGERS' announcement of their takeover by 49ers Enterprises has been greeted with delight by fans.
But not every new member of the board at Ibrox will be familiar to Gers supporters.
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Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises' takeover of Rangers is finally complete
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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Paraag Marathe is coming in as vice-chairman at Ibrox
Credit: PA
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Gene Schneur is one of three new faces on Gers' board
Businessman Andrew Cavenagh is coming in as chairman of Rangers, with Leeds chief Paraag Marathe serving as vice-chairman.
Existing board member Patrick Stewart, Fraser Thornton, John Halsted, and George Taylor are staying on, but Graeme Park, Julian Wolhardt and Alastair Johnston are stepping away.
Marathe said in a statement: "At 49ers Enterprises, we have built a track record of sporting and business success, but our driving motivation is our deep connection to the clubs and communities we serve.
"We are excited to join Andrew and our other consortium of investors in a new era for this iconic club, and we are determined to build something that supporters can be proud of for years to come.
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"Reflecting the club's new leadership, Mark Taber, Andrew Clayton and Gene Schneur will join Cavenagh and Marathe as new members of the board."
All three of the new names have made their names in American businesses, with Taber having served on the boards of over a dozen healthcare companies and Clayton working alongside Cavenagh on their ParetoHealth business.
Schneur's story is a rags-to-riches story, as he emigrated to the US from the former Soviet Union aged seven.
He moved into an affordable-housing complex in Brooklyn, and the family needed Section 8 vouchers - which provide rental assistance to low-income households - to help cover bills.
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Schneur studied law and worked as an acquisitions attorney in New York, before moving into business himself.
He co-founded Omni New York, a developer of affordable housing, and later expanded into Omni America having totalled transaction values of over $4billion.
Inside the rise of ex-Rangers ultras chief turned mob boss waging gangland war across Scotland
Omni has spent $500 million on purchasing and revitalising New York's most run-down and crime-ridden apartments, most of which are Section 8 buildings like the one Schneur lived in when he first arrived in America.
On the positive impact of his developments, Schneur said: "We're making money while doing good."
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He's also a co-owner and board member at Leeds alongside Marathe.
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