Ali Iz

October 15, 1953 - January 21, 2021

Ali Iz passed away January 21st, 2021 at age 67 at his home at Ocean Reef, after spending his final days surrounded by his family. Ali had a solid quality of life for the majority of his private, two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, and the family often joked that it took this disease to finally make him look his age.

Ali was born in Istanbul, Turkey October 15th, 1953 to Esat and Şemsa Iz. Ali attended the English High School for Boys for middle school, and famed American institution Robert College for high school. Afterwards, Ali moved to America for college, receiving a BS in Industrial and Operations Engineering from University of Michigan, where he met his wife Deborah Iz (née Daly). He later received a masters in Industrial Management from Columbia University.

In the late 80s, Ali and family moved to Bennington, Vermont, and he soon began his long and successful career at General Electric in Schenectady, NY. At GE Ali held many leadership positions, including Business Development Leader for GE’s Energy Division and General Manager of GE Energy’s solar business. Over his time at GE, he led or was a participant in investments and acquisitions totaling $2 billion. 

At his next stop in New York City, he was a founding partner of the private equity firm NewWorld Capital Group, focused on alternative energy. He also served as the director of a portfolio of solar projects, and served on the board of several companies, including as Chairman of PosiGen Solar. 

In 2007, he and his wife started splitting their time between the northeast and Ocean Reef Club, which quickly became the family’s main hub and favorite place. Together with his family, Ali spent over a decade celebrating nearly every major holiday at the club. This past summer Ali walked his beloved daughter Tibby down the aisle at her Ocean Reef Club wedding to Greg Zimmerman, whom he loved like a son. 

Ali was a cultured and athletic person, enjoying travel, dining out, good wine, world music, history books, fashion & design, and staying physically active. He is survived by his wife Debbie Iz, son John Iz, daughter Tibby Iz, son-in-law Greg Zimmerman, mother Şemsa Iz, sister Fezan Karabekir, brother-in-law Orhan Karabekir, nieces Nayla and Dila Karabekir, and nephews-in-law Bariş Seven and Mehmet Şükun, as well as countless adoring family, friends and colleagues. 

Thoughtful, gracious, dignified, funny, warm, wise and handsome, Ali will always be remembered as a true gentleman.