Nationality United States Net worth 2.1 billion USD (2015) | Role Businessman Name Jonathan Nelson | |
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Occupation Founder of Providence Equity Partners People also search for Cheong Shin Keong, Po On Lee, Nai Pang Leung LL.D., Run Run Shaw | ||
Jonathan M. Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship
Jonathan Milton Nelson (born 1956) is an American businessman and investor. He is the founder of Providence Equity Partners, a global private equity firm based in Providence, Rhode Island, which manages funds with US$40.7 billion (inflation-adjusted) in commitments.
Contents
- Jonathan M Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship
- Jonathan Nelson of Providence Equity Participates in 2017 Milken Global Private Equity Panel
- Early life and education
- Career history
- Philanthropy and other activities
- References
Jonathan Nelson of Providence Equity Participates in 2017 Milken Global Private Equity Panel
Early life and education
Nelson grew up in Providence, Rhode Island. He graduated from Brown University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. After graduation, he managed the China division of Wellman, Inc. Upon returning to the United States, he earned a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1983.
Career history
In 1983, Nelson joined Narragansett Capital, a private equity firm, where he was a managing director. At Narragansett, he specialized in the broadcasting, cable television and publishing sectors.
In 1989, he founded Providence Equity Partners, a pioneering sector-focused private equity firm. It is the world's leading private equity investment firm focused on media, communications, education, and information investments. He was dubbed the "stealth mogul" by The New York Times for keeping a low profile despite his firm's substantial media holdings.
In 2008, Nelson and other Providence principals launched Providence’s credit investment arm with Thomas Gahan of Deutsche Bank. The unit is called Benefit Street Partners, which has US$9.16 billion (inflation-adjusted) under management.
Nelson serves on the boards of the Chernin Group, MLS Media, the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, Television Broadcasts Ltd and Univision Communications. Nelson has also served as a director of Eircom Plc, Hulu, Language Line, MetroNet (now AT&T Canada), VoiceStream Wireless (now Deutsche Telecom), Warner Music Group, (now Alltel Wireless) and Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network.
Nelson is the wealthiest person in Rhode Island.
Philanthropy and other activities
Nelson currently serves as a Fellow of Brown University, and has previously been a trustee. He has donated generously to Brown University, contributing to the construction of the Nelson Fitness Center and to establish two professorships at the university.
The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art named Mr. Nelson the winner of the 2013 Arthur Ross Award for Excellence In The Classical Tradition (Patronage) for his guidance of the design and construction of the Nelson Fitness Center. In August 2014, Harvard Business School gave him an Alumni Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by the School on its graduates.
Nelson has committed to the Giving Pledge, a campaign led by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates to encourage the wealthiest people in the United States to make a commitment to give most of their wealth to philanthropic causes. He serves on the board of the Newport Festivals Foundation. He is an avid sailor and big mountain skier.