Lewis Eisenberg

Lewis Eisenberg
Born	(1942-10-12) October 12, 1942 Illinois, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Investor, financier, diplomat
Years active	1966–present
Known for	Co-founder of Granite Capital International Group; Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey during 9/11; U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino

Lewis Michael Eisenberg (born October 12, 1942) is a prominent American investor and financier, recognized for co-founding and steering the private equity firm Granite Capital International Group L.P. He possesses a broad background in political fundraising and has occupied numerous leadership roles at the national, state, and regional levels. Notably, he served as chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, which was under the Port Authority’s jurisdiction.

In July 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Eisenberg to be the United States Ambassador to Italy and San Marino. The U.S. Senate confirmed his appointment on August 3, 2017.

Early life

Born into a Jewish family in Illinois, Eisenberg grew up in Chicago. His family background was rooted in agriculture. He obtained a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College in 1964 and later earned an MBA from Cornell University in 1966.

Financial career

Eisenberg started his career on Wall Street at Goldman Sachs in 1966, advancing to partner by 1978 and eventually becoming co-head of the Equity Division by 1989. In 1990, he co-established Granite Capital International Group L.P., an investment management firm catering to private clients, where he held the position of co-chairman. Additionally, he co-founded Granum Communications and served on its board until 2007. Eisenberg was also a board member of ITC, a leading independent electric transmission company and former portfolio company of KKR. Beginning in 2009, he acted as a senior advisor to KKR, collaborating with co-founders Henry Kravis and George R. Roberts on investments in public infrastructure.

Public service

In 1994, New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman appointed Eisenberg as chairman of the New Jersey Commission on Privatization and Competitive Contracting. That same year, he joined the board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, becoming its chairman in 1995. One of his major accomplishments was negotiating a long-term lease agreement with Larry Silverstein for the World Trade Center during its high occupancy period in the late 1990s, aligning with Governor Pataki’s privatization initiatives.

Eisenberg’s tenure as chairman concluded in December 2001 after the September 11 attacks resulted in the deaths of 84 Port Authority employees, including executive director Neil Levin. Although he had planned to resign prior to the attacks to assume a role at the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, Eisenberg remained to provide guidance throughout the crisis. In January 2002, New York Governor George Pataki appointed him to the board of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, where he played a role in recovery efforts and chaired both the Victims' Families and Transportation Advisory Council until April 2003.

Politics

Eisenberg has been actively involved in Republican political fundraising and leadership roles. He chaired New Jersey’s Victory 2000 campaign and was appointed chairman of the finance committee for the Republican National Committee in 2002. He co-chaired both the NYC Host Committee for the Republican Convention in 2004 and Bush/Cheney’s campaign efforts in New Jersey that same year. Eisenberg contributed to gubernatorial transition teams for Governors Whitman (NJ) and Pataki (NY), as well as for the Bush-Cheney presidential transition. He also co-founded and chaired the Washington D.C.-based political action committee known as the Republican Leadership Council.

Between 2002 and 2004, he led fundraising as chairman of the RNC finance committee. In 2008, Eisenberg served as National Co-chairman and Finance Chairman for John McCain’s presidential campaign alongside Sarah Palin. He played a significant role as a fundraiser during Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential bid. Eisenberg resides in Rumson, New Jersey.

Awards and recognition

Eisenberg has been honored repeatedly for his impactful contributions to business and the community. In 1995, the New Jersey Alliance for Action bestowed upon him the Eagle Award. Five years later, in 2000, he was distinguished as "Man of the Year" by the New Jersey chapter of the National Conference for Community and Justice and also earned the title of New Jersey Businessman of the Year from Monmouth University.

His academic accolades include honorary doctorates, such as a Doctor of Laws awarded by Monmouth University in 2001 and a Doctor of Humane Letters granted by the Rabbinical College of America in 2002. Additionally, Eisenberg was honored with the Premio Simpatia award in Rome during 2018.

Non-profit work

Eisenberg has contributed his expertise to several non-profit organizations. He participated on the advisory council for the Samuel Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University, held a board position and formerly chaired the investment committee at St. Barnabas Health Care System, and was a trustee on the board for the Monmouth Medical Center Foundation.

External links

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