American businessman Howard Ruby is the co-founder and chairman of Oakwood Worldwide who has an estimated net worth of $200 million. The company is a realty group and worldwide corporate housing built in 1960 by Ruby and his business partner Bob Franks. In 1969, he created the Oakwood Apartments brand that featured furnished apartment complexes which catered a broader audience. This gave birth to the concept of “corporate housing”. The brand continued to grow and he led the company into commercial real estate, real estate fee management, telecommunications, and home services.

Since then, Oakwood has grown to become one of the largest providers of temporary, furnished, and extended-stay apartments in the world. It operates all over the United States as well as in Singapore, Thailand, Chin, Korea, Philippines, Japan and the United Kingdom under the banners of Oakwood Premier (five-star) and Oakwood Residence (four-star). Its annual gross earnings exceed $600 million. It has 3,000 employees and manages 20,000 serviced apartments.

Aside from Oakwood, Ruby is also an accomplished artist. His photography has appeared in various exhibits. He has won the 2007 International Conservation Photographer of the Year Award for his wildlife photography. He has developed an educational program through his photos. Also, his photographs have been featured in the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum.