THE
BEGINNING
THE FAMILY
Christopher Wolf Crutcher fondly recalls growing up in Mill Valley, California: a village at the base of Mt. Tamalpais, surrounded by a fragrant forest of redwood and bay trees. Across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, in Marin County, the community was comprised of writers, musicians, artists, film directors, scientists, engineers, architects, and professionals of every discipline. Lewis and Judith Crutcher settled in this diverse international community, in 1969, to raise their 2 sons: Marshall and Christopher.
EARLY EDUCATION
Old Mill School (the local Elementary School in Mill Valley) holds special memories. The administration created a program of Enrichment Courses led by dedicated parents. Depending on available talent, an Enrichment Program, composed of seminars, was offered in subjects such as Painting, Mosaic, Medicine, Human Anatomy, Urban Planning (taught by Judith), and Japanese Culture. Participation in the latter class inspired Christopher to begin a serious study of the Japanese Language, and led him, later in life, to travel to Japan for both education and professional work. His private study of Japanese also facilitated his entrance into Harvard.
THE ROMANCE OF JAPAN
Liei Connick became Christopher’s first private Japanese Tutor, when he was 10. He mastered the Hiragana and Katakana Alphabets in a matter of weeks. At 13, he continued his Japanese tutoring with Mrs. Toshiko Tomanovich (an interesting aside: Mrs. Tomanovich had been the official Japanese Tutor to the Last Emperor of China, during the period when the Japanese Empire controlled Manchukuo as a colony). As a master teacher, Mrs. Tomanovich inspired Christopher to become proficient in keigo, the ultra-polite form of Japanese. This knowledge was important for his future financial career in Bond Sales for Deutsche Bank (DB Capital Markets (Asia) Ltd.) in Tokyo, and in serving many Japanese corporations as a consultant and representative.
A SPECIAL TALENT
As a young child, Christopher mastered the arts of mosaic, painting, and printmaking. His uncle, Fred Crutcher, commissioned him, at the age of 9, to design and produce a mosaiced room for his second home in Mendocino County, California. The theme was an undersea coral reef, into which he incorporated his uncle’s fossil collection, Venetian glass tiles, Japanese ceramic tiles, and even broken Qing Era pottery shards excavated from the site of a Chinese fishing village at Point Pinole (in the East Bay). A plywood shell was installed in the Crutcher House, the tilework was adhered to a series of panels, and these were transported to the coastal site, where they were installed in the Master Bath, and grouted. Subsequently, Christopher worked on his second large mosaic in the fireplace alcove in his Family’s Mill Valley home, completed in 1976 (when he was 12). The subject was a Samurai contemplating a field of iris. A third mosaic was started in the Master Bathroom of his Family’s Mill Valley House, depicting portraits of Napoléon’s generals and adversaries, and incorporating heraldic
themes.
ON HIS
WAY
EARLY TRAVELS
The Family took the two Brothers to Europe when they were aged 11 and 12, staying two months to tour England, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. Immersed in the culture of each of these Countries, the focus of the trip was viewing architecture, historic battlefields, and museums. In Venice, glass tiles were purchased for Christopher’s mosaic projects in California. European History and Languages became two of Christopher’s passions, leading him to: study French in High School; take courses in French and Italian in College; and major in European History at Harvard.
SPECIAL STUDIES
During the summer of his 16th year, Christopher was invited to take a Printing Class offered by Carl Hall, a well-known Artist and Professor of Art at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. During this Program of Study, he stayed with his Maternal Grandmother, Edith Wolf. As part of this Course, he met the renowned printmaker and art expert, Gordon Gilkey, made famous in the film The Monuments Men with George Clooney. Mr. Gilkey gave instruction on etching techniques. Christopher also studied lithography with these 2 masters – an unforgettable experience.
MUSIC
Christopher and his brother, Marshall, began taking music lessons at the same time, when they were 5 and 6 (respectively), but Marshall was infinitely more serious (later entering Peabody Conservatory of Music, and North Carolina School for the Arts, majoring in Classical Guitar, then going on to become an award-winning composer for videogames, film, and television). Christopher continued to pursue singing, having fun making recordings (while aged 10 – 12) with Rita Abrams, a local songwriter. In High School, Christopher joined the Tamalpais High School Choir, and the Madrigal Singers, performing throughout the Bay Area. His rock group (50’s Music) took second prize in the talent contest held just before his graduation from Tamalpais High School, and he was later the lead singer in pop/rock bands both in Japanese High School and at Harvard College. His guitarist at Harvard, Tom Morello, subsequently played lead guitar for Rage Against the Machine. In future, Christopher would be associated with top music talent in Hollywood and New York, serving as a producer of live events and as an investment banker to the Music Industry, with clients such as The Jackson Family and Kool & The Gang.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
After two years at Mill Valley Middle School, Christopher decided to attend Wildshaw School in San Francisco, headed by Jonathan Edwards, a graduate of Cambridge University. Mr. Edwards imposed rigorous standards of writing, and spoken English, while offering a full range of advanced subjects. After two years at Wildshaw, Christopher transferred to Tamalpais High School, in Mill Valley, which had a large student body, and a more active social life. There, he skipped a grade, joined the Wrestling Team, and continued his Japanese tutoring program with Mrs. Tomanovich.
A YEAR IN JAPAN
Upon graduating from U.S. High School, at the age of 17, Christopher took Deferred Admission to Harvard in order to spend one year attending Tokyo Touritsu Mita High School in Tamachi, Tokyo, Japan. As the first Exchange Student in the History of this venerable High School, he dawned the school uniform, and took a full course load utilizing the Japanese Language (including Chemistry, Physics, Japanese History, Classical Literature, Social Studies, etc.). He also joined the Kendo Club and the Art Club. Mrs. Tomanovich, his Japanese Tutor in California, arranged for him to stay with the Family of Hiroshi Wada, a Teacher of European History at Mita High School. The highlight of the year was Christopher’s participation on the School’s Kendo Team, where he experienced the raw nature of Japanese discipline. Just before a Kendo Tournament, his foot became horribly injured during warmup exercises, but his friends rallied around him and urged him to continue with his scheduled matches. His left foot was completely raw, leaving bloody footprints on the dojo. With bandaged feet, he fought on, “drew out his spirit,” and won 2 matches, smacking his opponents on the head with his shinai sword. This experience represented, to Christopher, the essence of being Japanese, unaltered for centuries. Thereafter, Christopher incorporated the concept of Japanese discipline into his personal values.
Note: While residing in Tokyo, Japan, at the age of 17, Christopher Wolf Crutcher envisioned, organized, and concluded his first overseas business transaction–a manufacturing contract involving Mr. Shiro Arai, the founder of the Aria Guitar Company in Nagoya, Japan,
ENTERING HARVARD
Christopher (aged 16) and Marshall (aged 17) toured the East Coast, visiting candidate universities: Harvard; Princeton; Yale; and Peabody Conservatory of Music. At Harvard, Edwin O. Reischauer (the former U.S. Ambassador to Japan during the Kennedy Years) graciously received Christopher’s inquiries concerning the Asian Studies Department, and arranged meetings for him with various professors, so that he could gain an understanding of the curriculum. Upon receiving examples of Christopher’s written work in Japanese, Ambassador Reischauer kindly wrote a letter of recommendation for him to help sponsor his admission to Harvard (and he was duly accepted). As a Harvard Freshman, Christopher later visited the Ambassador in his Office on Campus to express his gratitude.
GRADUATING FROM HARVARD
On June 5th, 1986–the 350th Anniversary of the founding of Harvard College–Christopher graduated with an AB in European History 1700 to the Present, with Honors. His Minor was in Medieval European History. During his time at Harvard, Christopher became interested in the effect of capital on History, and realized, thanks to courses offered by the famous British Historian, Simon Schama, that finance, perhaps even more than the sentiment of crowds, was the prime motivating force behind the greatest of historical events. Christopher also benefitted from taking courses on a wide range of subjects that would assist in his later career, including French, Italian, Japanese, Case Law, French History, English History, German History, Plant Propagation, Astronomy, and Anthropology. His thesis work, on the Haitian Economy and Revolution in 1789, was seminal in his understanding of both failed and successful economic strategies for developing countries. Christopher also was a starboard-side oarsman on Harvard’s Freshman Crew Team, and subsequently, the Harvard Varsity Heavyweight Crew Team.
CONCLUSION
The richness of Christopher Wolf Crutcher’s childhood and adolescence, including growing up in beautiful Mill Valley, the strong support of his parents, and the completion of his disciplined language training and cultural experiences in Japan, all became important ingredients for future achievements. His Harvard years further laid the foundation of knowledge that helped him launch his financial career, beginning with Morgan Stanley in New York.
FINANCIAL
CAREER
MORGAN STANLEY
In 1986, as a new Harvard Graduate, Christopher joined Morgan Stanley & Co. in New York City, New York, and worked in the International and Convertible Equity Arbitrage section of their Controllers’ Department in Rockafeller Center, in Manhattan. He was further assigned to execute reporting and budgeting for Morgan Stanley’s global program trading business, and he produced the daily P&L for their Japanese and Hongkongese stock portfolios. During his time in New York City, Christopher was assigned to create a budget for the Equity Division’s 1987 worldwide brokerage and clearing expenses, which was subsequently presented to Morgan Stanley’s 5-member Management Committee. Christopher was also sent to Tokyo, Japan, on special assignment to report on the trade processing efficiency of Morgan Stanley’s Tokyo Office. Within his first year of employment, he was promoted to the Position of International Analyst for the Controllers’ Department, Equity Division, of Morgan Stanley International Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, with full expatriate status.
DEUTSCHE BANK GROUP
Shortly after arriving in Tokyo, in 1987, Christopher was recruited by DB Capital Markets (Asia) Ltd. to join their Bond Desk and market European multi-currency fixed income products (bonds) to Japanese financial institutions, utilizing written and spoken Japanese. He cultivated new clients for Deutsche Bank’s securities business, including Sumitomo Corporation, Taisho Marine & Fire Insurance, and Long Term Credit Bank of Japan. Christopher also spearheaded the development of a Dutch Guilder-based bond business for the Firm, providing research and sales.
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CONSULTING
Starting in 1988, Christopher founded Crutcher Capital Management (“CCM”), together with Judith Wolf Crutcher (his Mother), as a global financial consulting company. This Family-owned business has persisted to the present day, evolving into 2 international corporate groups: (a) the “Royal Family Office” (www.royalfamilyoffice.com), and “Empire Group” (www.empiregroupwealthmanagement.com). CCM has concluded, and performed on, multiple international financial consulting contracts, on a global basis, in 47 countries throughout the World. CCM continues to specialize in services including: private banking; corporate structuring; venture capital; mergers & acquisitions; international licensing; and corporate finance, serving high-net-worth individuals, institutions, and governments. CCM eventually evolved into a platform for the assembly of technologies, talent, and capital that would become a resource for Project Galileo (www.projectgalileo.com). Christopher’s favorite consulting years were 1996 – 1997, when he developed revolutionary economic solutions for two Canadian First Nations, representing members of the Blackfoot and Cree Peoples.
CONCLUSION
Christopher Wolf Crutcher has worked for 40 years, in multiple business destinations throughout the world, to build his network of clients, supporters, investors, and specialized consultants, who now represent a formidable platform engaged globally in the Financial Consulting and IT Consulting Businesses. From this base of specialized financial knowledge, and talent, Christopher was able to direct his efforts towards the realization of a lifelong dream: Project Galileo (www.projectgalileo.com): a humanitarian and environmental project without equal, described below.
PROJECT GALILEO
GENESIS
Eleven years ago, while Christopher Wolf Crutcher was living in Paris, France, he learned that very large, dormant bank accounts existed throughout the world. He verified one such account, which, to his surprise, contained billions of dollars. He continued, through the years, to conduct due diligence on many more such large accounts, finding that they contained unused fortunes. This represented an amazing set of facts for him, especially given the recent Banking Crisis (2008), which he therefore concluded was artificially created (there was, actually, no true shortage of capital in existence at the time). He found that while there are restrictions controlling certain of these large deposits, even some restricted accounts can be conditionally utilized in favor of sponsoring humanitarian projects. Christopher recognized this set of facts as an opportunity, and set about structuring an economic plan, utilizing dormant funds, that could help depressed economies throughout the World. “Project Galileo” was born (see www.projectgalileo.com).
Christopher selected 4 initial “Host Countries” for Project Galileo: the Dominican Republic; Haiti; Costa Rica; and Italy. Utilizing new technologies, and environmental standards, 4 “Terrestrial Cities of Science™” will be developed within these Host Countries, each with approximately 100,000 inhabitants. The concept of Project Galileo incorporates the creation of a series of growth funds (the “12 Funds of Project Galileo” or the “Funds”) targeting separate Economic Sectors within each Host Country. The 12 Funds will be investing in healthy, locally-owned businesses within each Target Country, in partnership with global investors, innovators, and technologists. Project Galileo also encompasses a family of 15 humanitarian and environmental foundations (the “15 Foundations of Project Galileo” or the “Foundations”), each of which will be permanently linked to one of the 12 Funds, benefitting in perpetuity from a portion of the attached Fund’s revenues. In his Project Proposal, and in the thousands of pages of supplementary documents he has created over the past 15 years, Christopher has described the missions of each Fund and each Foundation of Project Galileo in consummate detail, as well as their full staffing requirements. He has also produced a detailed 7-year Financial Plan for Project Galileo (consisting of over 5,000 pages, if it were ever to be printed out).
11 FINANCIAL ENGINES
Christopher Wolf Crutcher’s theory of economic success, whether applied to nations, companies, or individuals, is to attach them to “Financial Engines.” He studied, in particular, the History of the San Francisco Stock Exchange (at first, a regional junior stock exchange), and its sister institution, a junior Minerals & Mining Exchange. Established in 1862 and 1882, respectively, these two junior stock exchanges built the Californian Economy from practically zero in 1862 into (as of 2023) the 5th largest economy in the World (if it were ever to declare independence from the U.S.). California’s Economy has therefore surpassed that of France, and is encroaching on that of England! In the 1800’s, San Francisco’s two “Wild West Exchanges” financed banks, silver, gold, and copper mines, railroads, shipping companies, real estate ventures, and agricultural enterprises. Investment into California’s Agricultural Sector by publicly listed companies led, for instance, to the establishment of the State’s famous Orange Industry, and (even more famously) the Wine Industry in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.
Project Galileo’s strategy for the re-stimulation of ailing economies incorporates the implementation and development of 11 separate Financial Engines: (a) the “Innovation Exchange™” – a junior stock exchange focusing on technology and light manufacturing stocks; (b) the “First Nations Stock Exchange™” to list First Nations’ Bonds, and syndicate stock offerings to grow native-owned tax-advantaged businesses throughout the World; (c) Projet Galileo’s “Government Swaps Engine™;” (d) a Christian Bank (“CBank™”); (e) a Polygraphics Production Facility; (f) Project Galileo’s own cryptocurrency, the “Galileo Monetary Unit™” or “GMU,” for exclusive use within its 3 planned Terrestrial Cities of Science™, and its “Virtual City of Science™” (a new sub-project); (g) the 12 Funds of Project Galileo; (h) the 15 Foundations of Project Galileo; (i) the Terrestrial Cities of Science™; (j) the Virtual City of Science™; and (k) the “300 Technologies of Project Galileo™.”
EMPIRE GROUP
Innovative technology is the key to creating a “new economy.” In 2008, Christopher Wolf Crutcher formed a strong partnership with a Robotics Engineer from Turin, Italy: Mr. Cleante Libero Vitali, to create Empire Group (see www.empire-group.asia) as the key management company governing the financial and technological assets of Project Galileo. These two senior executives and innovators have since worked together to develop, acquire, and provide a cornucopia of intellectual properties encompassing over 300 revolutionary technologies (the “300 Technologies of Project Galileo™”). Synthesizing all of the above concepts, and incorporating these proprietary intellectual properties into Project Galileo, Christopher and Cleante envisioned the development of a series of hubs for innovation, finance, and cultural revival–the concept of Project Galileo’s Virtual and Terrestrial Cities of Science™ was born. Project Galileo is now in the Start-up Phase of a 7-year activation plan, and is exclusively managed by Empire Group: a series of global asset management companies founded in multiple countries throughout the Globe (starting in 2009).
L' INSTITUT
In 1798, Napoléon arrived in Egypt with a French Army consisting of 30,000 troops (plus sailors), but most uniquely, he brought with him, as part of his expeditionary force, a cadre of 164 intellectuals that he named the “Savants.” They were young and curious problem-solvers, representing every Art and Science that Revolutionary France could offer to the World. Their mission was to study and record Egypt’s existing culture, ancient past, natural history, and development potential. Their innumerable achievements included: discovering (and eventually interpreting) the Rosetta Stone; planning a modern version of the Suez Canal; developing mathematical theories (such as the Theory of Mirages); making accurate measurements and visual records of Ancient Egyptian and Islamic Art and Architecture; recording and naming unique species of Egyptian flora and fauna; and compiling the whole of their research results into the Description de l’Egypte, the largest-scale printed book ever manufactured. Drawing from his top Savants, Napoléon, once in Cairo, established L’Institut d’Egypte.
Christopher Wolf Crutcher’s innovative idea was to generate an institution representing an update and upgrade to Napoléon’s original L’Institut d’Égypte. The young Emperor-to-be innovated the extraordinary concept, at the age of 29, of assembling a highly intellectual and talented “mobile think tank” for the development of a modern society in a land with only ancient technologies in use (Egypt in 1798). Christopher’s concept for the modern-day version of L’Institut d’Égypte is to start by creating a fully modern organization of 200 Savants, collectively known (in tribute) simply as “L’Institut” (www.realmofsavants.com). L’Institut will represent one of the 5 “Consortium Member Organizations” governing Project Galileo (www.projectgalileo.com) on a global basis
L’Institut’s Mother Chapter will be based in Paris, France. This Consortium Member Organization will go forward to develop subsidiary Chapters in each of Project Galileo’s Terrestrial Cities of Science™. In the Virtual City of Science™, L’Institut will recruit and organize worthy avatars for membership in the “Virtual Society of Savants™.” To found his modern-day manifestation of L’Institut, Christopher will start by recruiting the 200 Savants of its Mother Chapter in Paris, France. This time, L’Institut‘s roster will include an equal number of men and women, hailing from countries throughout the World. These modern-day Savants will be tasked with advising Empire Group in the development of each Terrestrial City of Science™, within each Host Country of Project Galileo. Each new subsidiary Chapter of L’Institut will incorporate 100 local Savants (from the respective Host Country where it will be located), plus 100 international Savants. Project Galileo will thus be guided by the most talented persons from every discipline, in a collegial and diverse intellectual environment not seen for over 200 years.
CONCLUSION
Under the leadership of Christopher Wolf Crutcher and Cleante Libero Vitali, via Empire Group (and enlightened by L’Institut), Project Galileo will combine substantial financial resources with a wealth of intellectual capital, revolutionary technologies, and pure imagination, to benefit both humanity and the environment. The World CAN be transformed, and Project Galileo is the exciting instrument of change that will be deployed to rapidly develop each economically disadvantaged region of the World, one at a time, until the entire global community can share in the enjoyment of a productive, prosperous, and sustainable way of life.
RAW ADVENTURE
WORK PERFORMED IN 49 COUNTRIES
Throughout the course of his professional life, Christopher Wolf Crutcher has had the pleasure, and honor, to be welcomed by 49 Countries of the World, where consulting work was performed for clients including wealthy and famous persons, institutions such as banks, and both indigenous and national governments. This multi-year odyssey of hard work yielded important contacts, alliances, and consultant relationships for Christopher, and resulted in the recruiting of a host of Staff Members who are now actively serving Empire Group and other companies within the Consortium. Observing the comparative economies and business cultures of diverse countries, Christopher has developed an educated global perspective on past and current events, and has gained a certain amount of wisdom concerning the direction of History, including potential future scenarios for humanity and the environment.
In detail, countries visited by Christopher for work assignments have included: Switzerland; Germany; Austria; Liechtenstein; Sweden; Denmark; Italy; Vatican City State; Belgium; Luxembourg; France; Monaco; the United Kingdom; Isle of Man; Spain; Portugal; Malta; Estonia; Kosovo; Macedonia; Serbia; Georgia; Canada; Mexico; Belize; The Commonwealth of The Bahamas; British Virgin Islands; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; the Dominican Republic; Haiti; Kyrgyzstan; Kazakhstan; Japan; China; Hong Kong; Macau; Taiwan; Thailand; Malaysia; Philippines; Australia; New Zealand; Fiji; Ghana; Kenya; United Arab Emirates; Oman; Jordan; and Bahrain. This year, Christopher is planning to visit a number of additional countries on business. His last vacation was in 1984, when, at the age of 20, he visited The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
SPONSORING OF EXPEDITION TO THE GREAT BLUE HOLE OF BELIZE
In December of 2019, Christopher Wolf Crutcher, in his capacity as Group Chairman of Empire Group, had the great pleasure of sponsoring a scientific research expedition to the Great Blue Hole of Belize, including joining the crew of an oceanic research vessel, and taking a submarine dive into this amazing oceanographic anomaly. The sponsorship included a submarine dive crewed by Sir Richard Branson and Fabien Cousteau, the grandson of the celebrated Jacques Cousteau, with Empire Group’s logo emblazoned on the body of their research submarine.
During the expedition, Empire Group’s own Executives, including Christopher, also participated in one of the submarine dives, and experienced, first-hand, the excitement of oceanographic exploration. The results of the expedition included an environmental survey of the Great Blue Hole, and a sonar scan of its complete geographical configuration—critical research which had never previously been done. Empire Group, representing Project Galileo’s “Oceanic Foundation,” was pleased to have had the opportunity to solidly demonstrate our commitment to the Environment, and especially, the preservation of the World’s oceans.
Further activities included scuba diving, including encounters with rare fish species, giant barrel sponges, garden eels, colorful corals, and slightly aggressive reef sharks. The excitement of this experience was heightened by having been invited to visit Necker Island: Sir Richard Branson’s private resort island, two months previously, and having had the chance to meet its dynamic owner, who was busy judging the XTC Challenge