Byron Trott
Byron David Trott | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 2, 1958 Union, Missouri, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, merchant banker |
| Known for | Founder, chairman, and co-CEO of BDT & MSD Partners; former vice chairman at Goldman Sachs |
Byron David Trott (born December 2, 1958) is the founder, chairman, and co-chief executive officer of BDT & MSD Partners, a merchant banking firm focused on providing advisory services and capital to family-owned and founder-led enterprises. He previously held the position of vice chairman within the Investment Banking division at Goldman Sachs.
Early life and education
Growing up in Union, Missouri, Trott completed his AB degree in 1981 followed by an MBA in 1982, both from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. During his undergraduate years, he participated in varsity baseball and football and was affiliated with Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. In 1981, he was honored with the Amos Alonzo Stagg Medal, recognizing a senior male student-athlete who demonstrates outstanding academic performance, athletic achievement, and character.
Professional career
Trott began his career at Goldman Sachs in 1982 as a stockbroker before transitioning to investment banking in 1988 under the leadership of Henry Paulson. He advanced to become vice chairman of investment banking, where he advised affluent families and privately held companies on significant transactions such as the $23 billion Mars-Wrigley merger, the Pritzkers’ $4.5 billion divestiture of Marmon Holdings to Berkshire Hathaway, and Berkshire Hathaway’s $5 billion capital injection into Goldman Sachs amid the 2008 financial crisis.
In early 2009, Trott established the Chicago-based merchant bank BDT & Company. Its affiliate entity, BDT Capital Partners, oversees more than $33 billion in assets from a worldwide group of limited partner investors. In 2023, BDT & Company combined operations with MSD Partners, led by Gregg Lemkau, creating BDT & MSD Partners with Trott and Lemkau serving as co-chief executive officers.
Trott holds board memberships at Cox Enterprises, Enterprise Holdings, IMA Group, and Sunrise Group Holdings (Whataburger).
Personal life
As a trustee of the University of Chicago, Trott initiated the Jeff Metcalf Internship Program and contributed to the creation of the Trott Business Program, both designed to offer undergraduate students hands-on work experience and mentorship opportunities. He also serves on the board of Conservation International and was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans in 2011; he currently acts as its president.
In 2018, Brian and Tina Trott launched the rootEd Alliance to place college and career counselors in rural high schools. They became members of The Giving Pledge in 2021. In 2023, Trott made a $20 million contribution to establish the STARS College Network, aimed at supporting students from small-town areas through college admission and completion. The following year, he committed $150 million to broaden university access for rural students.