At the age of twelve, Alex Fayman arrived in the U.S. as a refugee from the Soviet Union in pursuit of freedom and opportunity. Alex entered eighth grade in Los Angeles not knowing English and feeling like an alien. He graduated from high school in LA and went to college in rural Illinois where it was easier to focus on academics. Alex earned a bachelor’s in biology, an MBA in finance, and a PhD in financial markets and institutions. He teaches at a university and has published in peer-reviewed banking journals. Alex is married and has four children. He loves creating stories, working out, music and motorcycles.