User:Mreno11/Paul Orberson

Paul Orberson

Paul Clarke Orberson (Born in Lexington, Kentucky) is an American businessman and founder of Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing, Inc. (FHTM).

Personal Life
Paul was educated at Western Kentucky University and graduated in 1979 with a B.S. in History and Health Education. He spent four seasons as a pitcher for the WKU baseball team, setting the school record for complete games with eight during his senior year. He remains tied for third in school history with a total of 12 career complete games.

Following college, Orberson became a teacher and coach, first at an elementary school and later at a high school, both in Kentucky.

Direct Selling Success and Founding FHTM
While working as a teacher and coach, Orberson sought a better way to provide for his family financially. In 1990, he decided to enter the direct sales industry. Orberson eventually became one of the most successful direct sellers in the industry and was able to reach retirement before the age of forty.

A few years after retiring, Orberson decided to start his own direct sales company. With the help of Tom Mills, a former Kentucky school superintendent and fellow retired direct seller, Orberson constructed a business model he felt was the strongest possible. Orberson and Mills launched Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing, Inc. (FHTM) on January 5, 2001. In 2005, FHTM went international, expanding to Canada, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom .

Philanthropy
Orberson frequently seeks out charitable causes to support, most of which involve youth or amateur athletics. In 2008, he made the lead gift for Western Kentucky University to construct a new clubhouse for their baseball team, which was completed in 2010. FHTM is also the title sponsor of the Bluegrass State Games, a non-profit program that promotes amateur athletics across Kentucky. Orberson has supported student-athletes in his hometown area of Boyle County by sponsoring the Bob Allen Pigskin Classic a high school football event, as well as by funding the resurfacing of athletic fields at Boyle County High School. In January of 2010, Orberson won an auction as part of University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari’s Hoops for Haiti earthquake relief fundraiser with a donation of $100,000. In late 2010, FHTM became the sponsor for Transylvania University's men's basketball holiday tournament, known as the Don Lane Classic in honor of the Hall of Fame coach. In 2011, FHTM launched Home Runs for Hope, joining with Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Center for Women Children and Families and The Salvation Army to provide children with box seats to watch the Lexington Legends, the Class A affiliate of the Houston Astros. In-depth articles pertaining to Orberson's community involvement can be seen in the FHTM Newsroom.