The Ledger / Don Vultaggio
Don Vultaggio
◼ Origin
Brooklyn-born (1952) beverage distributor who co-founded AriZona Beverage Company in 1992 from a Brooklyn warehouse with John Ferolito, launching what would become one of America's top-selling tea brands. After eight years of litigation, Vultaggio bought out co-founder Ferolito in 2015 and is now sole owner of the entirely privately held company. He has kept the 99-cent price point stamped on cans since 1997.
◼ Self-Made Verdict — YES
Never went to college; built AriZona from a Brooklyn warehouse in 1992 with co-founder Ferolito, with no documented inherited capital.
◼ Documented marks
01
Sole owner of AriZona Beverage Company (private) since buying out co-founder Ferolito in 2015.
02
Sole owner of AriZona Beverage Company (private) since buying out co-founder Ferolito in 2015.
03
Has kept the 99-cent price point stamped on AriZona cans since 1997; sales rose 30% within three years of adoption.
04
Has kept the 99-cent price point stamped on AriZona cans since 1997; sales rose 30% within three years of adoption.
05
Sons Wesley (Chief Creative Officer) and Spencer (Chief Marketing Officer) work in the business.
06
Sons Wesley (Chief Creative Officer) and Spencer (Chief Marketing Officer) work in the business.
07
Has repeatedly refused acquisition offers; company is entirely privately held.
08
Has repeatedly refused acquisition offers; company is entirely privately held.
09
Multiple federal class action lawsuits alleged AriZona falsely marketed products as 'All Natural' while containing non-natural ingredients.
10
Multiple federal class action lawsuits alleged AriZona falsely marketed products as 'All Natural' while containing non-natural ingredients.
No inheritance, or primary accounts documented for this billionaire yet.
◼ List of charges
Total sentence
0–0 years
That is
0.0–0.0 life sentences
(using 78 years as one life)
These are moral charges, not legal ones. The actual legal system has not — and will not — bring them.
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