Future, Inc. Records

Future, Inc. began in 1951 when Joe Asher invited three of his closest friends, Elliott Goldstein, Don Oberdorfer, and Louis Regenstein, Jr. to come over and discuss organizing fifty young men who were good friends and who had grown up together in Atlanta. Dues were $10 a month and at the end of the first years, the portfolio was valued at $4800 and a single share was worth $100. By 1959, the portfolio had grown to $61,448 and a share was worth $1229. The dues were raised in the 1960s to $200 dollars and the charter was amended to include second-generation family members, who were now promising businessmen in Atlanta. This second generation eventually took control of the investment club, but always under the watchful eyes of the Chairman, Joe Asher. In 1980, the stock was split two for one. Additional members were invited to join from the now fast growing Atlanta community. In 1987, each share was worth $4295 and the Chairman announced another two for one stock split. In 1989, the portfolio had reached $731, 160 and each share was worth $2708. In 1989, Joe Asher passed the chair to Lyons Joel, Jr. the son of a charter member, the late Lyons B. Joel. The 1990s brought even more growth to Future, Inc. By 1995, with 158 members the portfolio topped the one million mark. The Joel years brought great wealth to the membership. The portfolio topped two million dollars in 1998. At the beginning of its 50th year, 2001, the board of directors decided to relinquish its power and become an advisory board to the third generation of board members let by the new Chairman, Bret L. Block.