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About
Aubrey Chernick is a Canadian-born American entrepreneur, businessman, philanthropist, real estate developer, and software executive. Born on December 19, 1948, in Deloraine, Manitoba, Canada, where his parents operated a grocery store, he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Manitoba before transitioning into software development. In 1976, he founded Candle Corporation in El Segundo, California, which specialized in mainframe monitoring software, including the flagship product Omegamon for IBM's MVS operating system. Under his leadership, Candle grew into a leading supplier to Fortune 500 companies and governments worldwide and was acquired by IBM in 2004. Following the sale, Chernick continued his entrepreneurial pursuits, notably founding Celerium, a cybersecurity firm, in 2012, which provides threat-sharing solutions for high-end sectors like automotive and defense, including the CMMC Academy for DoD compliance training. He has also been involved in other ventures, such as investments in StartEngine Crowdfunding and writings on topics like emotional design and generational economics, and is a co-founder of Creative Associates International. As a philanthropist and donor to security-focused causes, Chernick, alongside his wife Joyce, established the Chernick Foundation, also known as the Fairbrook Foundation, which is a key supporter of conservative causes, pro-Israel advocacy, and anti-Islam initiatives. Notable recipients include groups combating extremism, and his funding activities have drawn significant criticism from civil rights organizations, which often classify many of the recipient groups as hate groups due to their rhetoric concerning Islam and Muslims. He has been recognized with awards like Software CEO of the Year in 2003 and the Leadership Award in 2014, and his financial ties extend to funding individuals like Guy Rodgers, reflecting his influence in conservative networks. Chernick's career exemplifies early technology investment in Los Angeles, blending business success with social and political activism. Residing in California, he remains active in cybersecurity, philanthropy, and real estate development, supporting startups and intellectual capital development.