In Memoriam: Al Angrisani, Noted MR Turnaround Specialist, Government and Corporate Leader, Author, Philanthropist

Al (Albert) Angrisani, 70, died Thursday, April 23, at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center of Plainsboro, NJ.

As a corporate leader and leading corporate light, he led numerous successful public company turnarounds as both a permanent and interim chief executive officer in his decades-long career. He was a particularly important figure in the market research industry, leading a number of companies through a period of intense, technology-driven change. Al revitalized these struggling businesses, often securing both their value and the jobs for thousands of employees. Among his most noteworthy endeavors in market research were turnarounds of Harris Interactive, Inc., which culminated in its sale to Nielsen, and of Greenfield Online/Ciao, sold to Microsoft in 2008. From 1999 to 2002 he served as president and CEO of Total Research.

Throughout his life, Al was a true renaissance man. First, he was a government leader, serving as the Assistant Secretary of Labor under President Ronald Reagan from 1980 to 1984. In this capacity, he served as a senior policy advisor to President Reagan and played a major role in the economic recovery plan that created 16 million new jobs. He also was the author of the Job Training Partnership Act of 1982, which was one of the nation’s first public/private partnerships and a major part of President Reagan’s job creation program.

As an author, Al penned two books that became immediately popular in the corporate world. The first, Win One for the Shareholders, is a widely used primer for businesses struggling to survive in the competitive corporate world. And, in From Last to First, the author drew on his own extensive experience—beginning with the disadvantaged background he overcame—to coach both individuals and businesses in building true and lasting wealth. His common-sense approaches helped countless people overcome disadvantages of their own and build truly secure futures for themselves and their families.

Born in Newark, he spent much of his life in Princeton, while in recent years often splitting his time between Princeton and New York City. Al regarded his humble beginnings with the drive to help others and was a committed philanthropist, donating time and money to a variety of causes, often focusing on the twin problems of hunger and homelessness. In fact, he donated all the profits from his first book to a New York City-based organization serving the homeless. 

Finally—and always—he was a beloved father and grandfather, known as “Papa” to his seven grandchildren, Aiden Fratangelo, Reed Fratangelo, Mabel Fratangelo, Landon Nielsen, Noelle Nielsen, Cortland Gautieri and Reese Gautieri. He is also survived by three daughters, Catherine F. Nielsen, Sarah Fratangelo, Elizabeth Gautieri, two brothers, Frank Angrisani and Russell Angrisani and two sisters, Frances Lein and Marion Angrisani.

Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton NJ. Due to the CoVID-19 restrictions, a private graveside service will be held, with a memorial service to be held at a later date.