Cartwright made a name for himself on the basketball court protecting the hoop and blocking shots as a center. Now, the legendary NBA player and coach is chairman of CartwrightDownes, a company that conducts confidential background investigations. The firm specializes in serving the nuclear and transportation industries, but Cartwright wants to expand into other industries such as medical, education and real estate. “Every day companies make key hiring decisions that could easily change their reputation. And when your reputation is on the line, you have to be protected,” Cartwright said. “What happens if a company unknowingly hires someone with a shady background or a person who has embellished his or her resume? That could create bad publicity, damaging a company’s brand and reputation beyond repair.” Cartwright retired as a player following the 1994-95 NBA season, having collected three NBA championship rings and experiencing success with New York Knicks, the Chicago Bulls and the Seattle Supersonics. He returned to the Bulls in 1997 as a member of the coaching staff.
