Background
Spero was born in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States, and is Jewish.
Spero was born in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States, and is Jewish.
He received a Doctor of Philosophy in Physics from Columbia University.
Spero rowed for New York Athletic Club. As a freshman at Cornell University in 1957, Spero was unaware of the competitive sport of rowing. He then represented the United States at the 1964 Summer Olympics at Tokyo in the single sculls.
He was elected to the Helms/Rowing Hall of Fame in 1966, Cornell University Hall of Fame in 1984, New York Athletic Club Hall of Fame in 1986, and International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.
Spero conducted post-doctoral research in physics at the University of Maryland, which resulted in the development of high intensity microwave lamps. This became the core technology for Fusion Systems Corporation, which he co-founded in 1972 and of which he served as president and Chief Executive Officer for 21 years.
The company had a successful initial public offering in 1994 and was subsequently acquired by Heraeus Technology Group. In 1992 he founded Spero Quality Strategies, a strategic advisory and angel investing firm.
In 2000 Spero was recruited to be Director of the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, University of Maryland, Smith School of Business.
In 2002 Spero co-foundeed New Markets Venture Partners, of which he is a General Partner.
He received his degree in Engineering Physics from Cornell University, where he was a member of the Quill and Dagger society. During his next three years on the varsity squad under the fabled Cornell coach R. H. (Stork) Sanford, Spero was a member of two more championship crews.