Sami Abboud

Dallas - Vice President of a team within the Merrill Lynch Private Wealth Management Group

Hailing from Lebanon, Sami Abboud came to the United States in 1998, Abboud went on to study at both Saint Joseph’s University and the University of Texas. Though Abboud has a love for his favorite city, New York City, he still calls Dallas home to this day, working as the Vice President of a team within the Merrill Lynch Private Wealth Management Group. If Abboud isn’t working to make a financial difference in his client's lives, you may be able to find him having his favorite meal at Beverley’s Restaurant in Dallas, or perhaps planning his dream trip throughout the Rivers of Europe.

Q&A:

Hometown?

Beirut, Lebanon.

Place you call home now (neighborhood etc)?

Dallas, Texas.

Any notes on your education?

Undergrad, BA in business/finance from Saint Joseph’s University (French system) Grad, Global executive MBA from the University of Texas in Dallas.

Favorite sport to watch?

Soccer / World Cup.

Favorite sport to play?

Tennis.

Best vacation ever?

Hvar Island, Croatia (Adriatic Sea), Parrot Cay Private Island (Turks and Caicos), Yellow Stone (Yellow Stone Club, Montana).

Dream trip destination?

European River Cruise (A 27-day river cruise from Amsterdam to Istanbul, because Europe’s oldest cities were constructed along rivers like the Rhine and the Danube).

Favorite dinner?

Anything Grilled!

Favorite dessert?

Mille-Feuille.

Underrated food?

Lebanese, Armenian and Croatian food.

Dish you’re best at cooking?

Beef Stroganoff (Russian style with rice).

Best meal you’ve had at a restaurant?

So many! But if I were to choose one, I’d go for the chicken schnitzel from Beverley’s in Dallas!

Road trip -- three in the car with you. Living or dead. Who are they? Why?

Steve Jobs – My hero!
Ellen DeGeneres – Always in need of a good laugh (and who doesn’t love Ellen)!
Jeffrey Epstein – Need answers!

Favorite TV show as a kid?

Superman.

Favorite movies?

The Departed, The Bourne Series, The Revenant, The Bond 007 Series.

Favorite actress and or actor?

Meryl Streep
Leonardo DiCaprio

Favorite bands?

Depeche Mode, Queen, Bon Jovi, U2, Fleetwood Mac, Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M., Coldplay, ABBA.

Most impressive live performance you ever saw?

Madonna / Confessions Tour.

Car you drive now?

Range Rover.

Car you’d like to drive?

Defender V8/90 (Land Rover).

Best car you’ve owned?

I miss my SAAB.

Wear a watch?

Yes.

Got a favorite watch?

Apple watch (practical)
Shinola (casual)

Got a dream watch?

Phillipe Patek 5270.

Summer drink of choice?

Miraval Côtes de Provence (Rosé).

Winter drink of choice?

Old Fashioned (or Whiskey - neat).

Bourbon or Scotch?

Scotch.

Vodka or gin?

Gin.

Cologne?

Infusion by Prada.

Go-to red on a wine list?

Silver Oak (Cabernet).

Go-to white?

Rombauer.

Favorite beach?

Parrot Cay (Private island / Turks & Caicos).

On a Saturday, your favorite errand to run is?

Exercising and loading up on my (healthy) food for the week from whole foods.

Otherwise, you’ll be busy doing what?

Meeting up with my buddies/friends or … shopping at James Perse (my fave!).

Best work advice you ever got?

Slay the dragon. To succeed, you have to have the confidence to take things head-on and keep moving forward.

Best thing about your career?

My clients and my teammates.

Do you have any philanthropic interests/endeavors?

I was on the board of DIFFA/Dallas, one of the largest fundraising local charities that provide funding to local HIV/AIDS Service Organizations, and in 2017, I chaired the organization’s annual House of DIFFA gala.

In 2018-2019, I was involved with the MTV Staying Alive Foundation (HIV/AIDS related projects) and the Goss-Michael Foundation (art projects), founded by the late music icon George Michael and his ex-partner Kenny Goss in 2007.

In March of 2019, I chaired MTV Redefine, one of America's most prominent and high profile philanthropic art auctions, raising $1.6 million for the MTV Staying Alive Foundation as well as the Goss-Michael Foundation to support HIV prevention and arts education projects.

Add anything else about yourself here that you would like the world to know about you.

Born on the same day and year, as the King of Rock and Roll died…. Elvis Presley (8/16/1977), and on the same day as the QUEEN of pop was born…. Madonna (8/16) (is this a sign of some sort? HA!).

A Leo, born in Beirut, Lebanon of a Lebanese (father) and Turkish (mother) descent.

When born, I was named Gilbert, but then parents changed my name to Sami at 3-months old! Don’t ask why…… LOL.

Migrated to the US in 1998, and became a US Citizen in 2004.

I can eat, live and breathe anything NYC……… favorite city of mine (even though I don’t live there, but who knows… might one day!).