Tripp Smith
American investment executive
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
J. Albert "Tripp" Smith (born 1965 or 1966) is an American investment executive who was the co-founder of GSO Capital Partners, the credit investment platform of The Blackstone Group.[1][2] Since 2017, he has been part owner of the English football club West Ham United.
1965 (age 60–61)
Tripp Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | J. Albert Smith 1965 (age 60–61) Indianapolis, U.S. |
| Education | University of Notre Dame |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Spouse | Sheila |
| Children | 4 |
Early life and education
Smith attended Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis[3] and graduated in 1987 from the University of Notre Dame.[4]
Career
With two colleagues from Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and subsequently Credit Suisse First Boston, Bennett Goodman and Doug Ostrover, Smith founded GSO Capital Partners in 2005;[5][6] its name derives from their initials.[7] He continued at GSO after its acquisition by Blackstone in 2008, serving as managing director[2] and leaving in 2018.[1] In 2019, he started Iron Park Capital Partners.[7][8]
He is a non-executive director of English football club West Ham United since purchasing a 10% stake in 2017.[2][9][10][11] In 2020, there were rumors that he was forming a consortium to purchase a controlling interest in the club.[12] In 2021, following Daniel Křetínský's purchase of a 27% stake in West Ham, Smith's shares were reduced to 8%.[13]
Personal life
Tripp and his wife, Sheila, have four children.[14]