Readers’ Advocate

Expanding the retail channel: Levenger has a retail store in its Florida headquarters. And this month the company will open a 2,300-square-foot shop on the first floor of the Marshall Field’s flagship store in Chicago.

Grew up: San Diego

Education and early experience: Graduated from the University of California, San Diego, with a B.A. in Biology. “I originally wanted to be a doctor,” he says. “I went from left to right field, I suppose.” He continued his studies at Cornell University, where he earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology.