Gerald was born on June 5, 1931 in New York City. Son of Gerald C. and Marjorie (Rice) Lukeman. He was one of three sons. Gerry was an exceptional all-star baseball pitcher in high school, often gracing the cover of newspapers for his non-stop no hitters. He was drafted out of high school by the NY Giants to play in their minor league team. However, he chose education instead (he continued to competitively pitch until the age of 76.)
He received a Bachelors at Dartmouth College,1952. Soon after, he found a passion for acting and was accepted into the neighborhood playhouse. His teacher was Sanford Meisner. But the Korean war started and Gerry's pursuit of acting was temporarily interrupted as he was drafted into the Army. He was not engaged in combat. Instead, he was sent to Germany, played the trumpet, pitched baseball and drank “the best beer of my life.”
After returning from Germany he picked up at the playhouse again, and pursued a post graduate education in theater at Bennington College, 1957. Here he met his wife, Brenda Shoshanna. They were married ten weeks later.
He had a fulfilling career acting and directing, then parlayed his stage presence and passion into advertising market research. He ultimately became CEO of ASI Market Research, and worked for the company for fifty joyful years.
The rest of his life was filled with endless selfless devotion and love for and from his four children (Melissa, Josh, Adam and Noah); ten grandchildren and wonderful son and daughters in-laws (Abram, Yana and Lindsay.)
He received a Bachelors at Dartmouth College,1952. Soon after, he found a passion for acting and was accepted into the neighborhood playhouse. His teacher was Sanford Meisner. But the Korean war started and Gerry's pursuit of acting was temporarily interrupted as he was drafted into the Army. He was not engaged in combat. Instead, he was sent to Germany, played the trumpet, pitched baseball and drank “the best beer of my life.”
After returning from Germany he picked up at the playhouse again, and pursued a post graduate education in theater at Bennington College, 1957. Here he met his wife, Brenda Shoshanna. They were married ten weeks later.
He had a fulfilling career acting and directing, then parlayed his stage presence and passion into advertising market research. He ultimately became CEO of ASI Market Research, and worked for the company for fifty joyful years.
The rest of his life was filled with endless selfless devotion and love for and from his four children (Melissa, Josh, Adam and Noah); ten grandchildren and wonderful son and daughters in-laws (Abram, Yana and Lindsay.)
- Chief Executive Officer, President Applied Science International Market Research Inc. (ASI), since 1963.
- Member of the Advertising Research Foundation
- American Marketing Association
- American Management Association
- New York State Economics Advisory Council
- Board of directors Impact on Hunger, New York City, 1983-1988
- Board of directors The ALS Foundation and Charity.
- Chairman of the ARF David Ogilvy Awards.
- Winner of the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) 2009 Great Minds Award.
- Market Research Council, 2010 Hall of Fame Winner.
- ARF Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Ogilvy Award for Excellence in Advertising Marketing Research.