Wes Edens

Wesley Robert Edens (born October 30, 1961) is an American billionaire businessman best known for co-founding Fortress Investment Group.[2] He established Fortress in 1998, took it public in 2007 and sold the firm to SoftBank for $3.3 billion in 2017.[3]

Wesley R. Edens
Born (1961-10-30) October 30, 1961
NationalityAmerican
EducationOregon State University
OccupationPrivate equity investor
Known for
Spouse(s)Lynn Edens
Children4

He currently serves as Chairman and CEO of New Fortress Energy, which he established in 2014 to provide clean-energy solutions on a global scale.[4] He previously formed Aircastle, Brightline, FTAI, GateHouse Media and New Senior Investment Group.[5]

Edens is co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA team and the English Premier League club Aston Villa.[6] He also owns the eSports team FlyQuest.

Biography

In his teenage years, Edens was a competitive skier.[7] Edens received a B.S. in Finance and Business Administration from Oregon State University in 1984.[8] Edens and his wife Lynn have four children. His youngest daughter Mallory received significant media attention following her appearance as the Milwaukee Bucks' team representative at the 2014 NBA Draft lottery[9][10][11][12] and again at the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals. His personal interests include horse jumping, alpine skiing and mountain climbing.[13] Edens built and owns Caldera House, an eight-room boutique hotel and private ski club in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.[14]

Career

Lehman Brothers and BlackRock

He began his career in 1987 at Lehman Brothers, where he was a partner and managing director until 1993.[15] He then went to BlackRock's private equity division BlackRock Asset Investors, where he remained until 1997 as a partner and managing director.[15][16]

Fortress Investment Group

Wes Edens was one of five principal partners — Peter (Pete) Briger, Jr., Robert (Rob) Kauffman, Randal (Randy) Nardone and Michael Edward (Mike) Novogratz[17] — who founded Fortress Investments in 1998.[18] Edens investment style was described in a 2007 The Wall Street Journal article as one based on "contrarian bets, creative financing and a knack for building business from investments."[19] Fortress became the first publicly traded buyout firm on February 9, 2007 with Edens and his partners taking the company public through its initial public offering.[17][20] Fortress had sold an 8% share to the public for $600 million by 2009.

By 2007 Fortress assets under management included both private equity and publicly traded alternative investment vehicles — fourteen private equity funds, four hedge funds, and two real estate vehicles, and went public. When the Japanese financial holding company, Nomura Holdings acquired 15% of Fortress for $888 million in December 2006 with proceeds going to the five principals, Edens and his partners became paper billionaires.[21][22] Edens became Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors at Fortress in 2009,[23] and helped the company, which saw its stock price fall to below one dollar after the subprime mortgage crisis,[24] resurge by offering subprime lending.[24] He served as Chairman of Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors LLC from 2015 to May, 2016.

In January 2017 Fortress announced the creation of an eSports (professional video gaming) team called FlyQuest. The team currently has a League of Legends team that competes in the North American League of Legends Championship Series (NA LCS).[25]

New Fortress Energy

In 2014, Edens founded New Fortress Energy, a global natural gas supply and infrastructure company.[26][27] New Fortress Energy has stated that their main goals include becoming one of the world’s leading producers of carbon-free energy (focusing specifically on low-cost green hydrogen) and existing as a net-zero emissions company within ten years.[28]

In 2019, New Fortress constructed a nearly $1 billion floating LNG terminal in Jamaica's Old Harbour Bay. The prime minister of Jamaica stated that the terminal’s presence will result in overall cheaper energy costs for the country. New Fortress Energy has been involved in multiple philanthropic projects in Jamaica after its work completion with the LNG terminal.[29] In October 2020, New Fortress Energy invested in H2Pro, a startup that develops low-cost green hydrogen technology.[30] Through New Fortress’ Zero, its renewable hydrogen division, the two companies will partner in order develop and commercialize green hydrogen technology.[30] The Zero division also partnered that same month with a gas-fired power plant in Ohio in order to blend hydrogen to produce electricity.[31]

In January 2021, the company announced that it would acquire natural gas company Hygo Energy Transition Ltd, as well its controlling company Golar LNG Partners LP., for $5 billion in order to expand its presence in Brazil.[32][31] New Fortress plans to launch a pilot program in 2021 to test the usage of hydrogen as an energy source of power generation.[33]

Brightline

Through Fortress Investment Group, Edens began operation on a privately run high-speed train line called Brightline in January 2018.[34] Inspired by Les Standiford’s Last Train to Paradise: Henry Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Railroad that Crossed an Ocean, Brightline’s first line was an inter-city 67-mile route between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida.[35] The company is currently building a 170-mile track extension to the Orlando International Airport, which is expected to enter service in 2022. The trains are expected to travel up to 125 miles an hour and commute from Orlando’s airport to Miami in approximately three hours. The ridership target is 6.6 million passengers within its first full year of service.[34]

By 2023, Fortress plans on constructing a second line on the West Coast, called Brightline West, connecting Las Vegas to Apple Valley, California via a 180-mile long track. This 85-minute commute aims to carry passengers at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. Trains on this line will be fully electric and run alongside Interstate 15. Brightline’s service is modeled off of Eurostar’s Paris-to-London commute. Its coach design includes white-and-blue interiors, roomy seating, and free Wi-Fi.[34]

Springleaf Financial Services

Edens, who runs Fortress’s private equity business, was the catalyst at Fortress behind the purchase of subprime lender Springleaf Financial Services — then known as AIG's American General Finance.[36] which made Fortress Springleaf's majority stakeholder. By 2015 the value of Springleaf Holdings Inc. had ballooned to "$3.5 billion — putting the firm’s gain at more than 27 times Fortress’s original investment of $124 million in 2010." Edens was heralded as the "new king of subprime lending" by The Wall Street Journal.[24][37] Edens is chairman of the subprime lender Springleaf Financial Services — formerly known as AIG's American General Finance.[36] Fortress acquired 80% of Springleaf in August 2010 for $125 million and used Springleaf and Nationstar to "build out a financial-services business within its private-equity unit, which manages $14.3 billion in assets."[36]

Nationstar

Edens is chairman of Nationstar Mortgage, formerly known as Centex Home Equity Company, LLC, a subprime home equity mortgage lender, which was acquired by Fortress for $575 million in 2006.[38][39] In 2005 Centex was "operating in major U.S. markets in 25 states and delivered more than 33,000 homes in the United States."[39] In 2014 Edens' connection to Nationstar Mortgage was cited by opponents of a proposed public-financing deal for the construction of a new arena the Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center. They advocated for more public resources to rehabilitate foreclosed homes managed by Nationstar.[37][40]

Milwaukee Bucks

In 2014 Edens and Marc Lasry purchased the Bucks from Herb Kohl for $550 million, promising to keep the team in Wisconsin and build a new arena to replace the BMO Harris Bradley Center.[2][41] As of February 2018, the NBA franchise was valued at $1.075 billion.[42]

Aston Villa

It was announced in July 2018 that Edens, alongside Nassef Sawiris would replace Tony Xia as co-chairmen of English soccer side Aston Villa, following the purchase of a 55% controlling stake by NSWE, a company jointly owned and controlled by Sawiris' group NNS and Edens.[43] The club would subsequently be promoted back to the Premier League in the following season, with the new ownership given credit for addressing financial issues and making strong coaching appointments.[44] Edens and Sawiris became 100% owners of Aston Villa in August 2019, buying out Xia's remaining shares.[44]

FlyQuest

In 2016, Edens launched FlyQuest, a professional eSports League of Legends team. [45] Edens purchased the brand from Cloud9 for $2.5 million in December of that year.[45] FlyQuest began competing in the North American League Championship Series on January 20, 2017.[45] Players included former Cloud9 Challengers An “Balls” Van Le, Hai Du Lam, Daerek “LemonNation” Hart, and Johnny “Altec” Ru.[45] Edens intended for his new franchise to assemble multiple teams in order to compete across a variety of eSports games and global competitions.[45]

FlyQuest’s brand emphasizes environmental issues through its jersey design and ikebana displays at competitions.[46] Each time FlyQuest wins a game, the team plants 100 trees.[46] Its initiatives also include fundraising for marine wildlife conservation.[46]

Further reading

  • Wolfe, Alexandra (July 20, 2018). "Wesley Edens Is an Investor With an Affinity for the Underdog". Wall Street Journal.

References

  1. Gallagher, Kathleen (April 16, 2014). "Milwaukee Bucks' new owners manage billions of dollars in investments". jsonline.com. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  2. "Milwaukee Bucks President and Owner Herb Kohl Introduces New Team Ownership and Announces $100 Million Gift for Arena". Milwaukee Bucks. April 16, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  3. "SoftBank Completes Acquisition of Fortress, "Deal Closes"".
  4. "New Fortress Energy, "About Our Founder"".
  5. "Virgin Trains USA LLC, "Form S-1"".
  6. "Aston Villa: Wes Edens & Nassef Sawiris to make 'significant investment' in club". BBC Sport. 2018-07-20. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
  7. Wolfe, Alexandra (2018-07-20). "Wesley Edens Is an Investor With an Affinity for the Underdog". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
  8. Alumni, Business Partner Award Winners Announced, Corvallis, Oregon, 2007, retrieved December 24, 2016
  9. Velazquez, Matt (May 21, 2014). "Mallory Edens becomes an Internet sensation at NBA draft lottery". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  10. Dicker, Don (May 20, 2015). "Mallory Edens, Milwaukee Bucks Co-Owner's Daughter, Shames Reporter Who Called Her 'Trophy Daughter'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  11. "Bucks Raptors". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  12. "Mallory Edens, Bucks co-owner's daughter, trolls Drake with Pusha T shirt". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  13. Peak Performer: Milwaukee Bucks Co-owner Wes Edens Reaches New Heights -- on Mountaintops
  14. Rivadeneira, Ken (22 July 2019). "How to Buy a Hotel". Worth.
  15. Fortress Investment Grp-Cl A (FIG:New York) Wesley Robert Edens, Bloomberg, 2016, retrieved December 24, 2016
  16. "Wesley Edens", Forbes, October 2008
  17. McLean, Bethany (April 2009). "Over the Hedge". Vanity Fair. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  18. Company Overview of Fortress Investment Group LLC, Bloomberg, December 24, 2016, retrieved December 24, 2016 "information and data displayed in this profile are created and managed by S&P Global Market Intelligence, a division of S&P Global"
  19. Gregory Zuckerman, Henny Sender and Scott Patterson (February 10, 2007), Hedge-Fund Crowd Sees More Green As Fortress Hits Jackpot With IPO, The Wall Street Journal, retrieved December 24, 2016CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  20. Clark, Patrick (2012-06-13). "Fortress Chieftain Mike Novogratz Wrestles with Olympians, Youth…and Wall Street". New York Observer. Retrieved 2013-09-20.
  21. A Quick Buck, 2007
  22. Nomura to acquire minority stake in Fortress Investment Group (PDF), Tokyo and New York: Fortress Investment Group, December 19, 2006, retrieved December 24, 2016
  23. "About Fortress - Wesley R. Edens". Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  24. Zuckerman, Gregory (August 10, 2015), Meet the New King of Subprime Lending: Fortress Investment's Wesley Edens turns $124 million into $3.5 billion; 'it's not a bad thing', retrieved December 24, 2016"On Wall Street, the best way to get over a losing trade is to bounce back with a winner. Mr. Edens is enjoying a surprising whopper: subprime loans. ... The giant gains have helped offset recent stumbles by Fortress in its “macro” hedge-fund business — and made Mr. Edens the new subprime king."
  25. Kirchen, Rich. "Sports Business Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Wes Edens ventures into eSports". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  26. "New Fortress Energy Invests in Green Hydrogen Production Technology Company H2Pro". Oil & Gas 360.
  27. "New Fortress Energy Inc". Bloomberg.
  28. Kalb, Olivia (13 October 2020). "Long Ridge Energy Terminal to transition to 100% hydrogen-fire plant". S&P Global Platts.
  29. "New US$1B LNG Terminal Pushes Jamaica Nearer To 50% Renewable Energy Target". Jamaica Gleaner. 21 July 2019.
  30. "New Fortress Energy invests in Israel-based green hydrogen firm H2Pro". NS World. 27 October 2020.
  31. Cocklin, Jamison (13 January 2021). "New Fortress Gains Foothold in Brazil, Adds LNG Shipping in $5B Acquisition". Natural Gas Intelligence.
  32. smith, betty (21 October 2020). "New Fortress Energy bets on Brazil's LNG growth with Hygo acquisition". ET Energy World.
  33. Malik, Naureen (4 March 2020). "Billionaire LNG Chief Eyes Hydrogen for Net-Zero Emissions Goal". BNN Bloomberg.
  34. Ohnsman, Alan (11 June 2020). "Inside A Wall Street Tycoon's Plan To Get Americans Off The Highway - And On His Trains". Forbes.
  35. Ostrowski, Jeff (24 June 2019). "Billionaire behind Brightline says he's "very, very happy" with rail service's performance". The Palm Beach Post.
  36. Matthew Monks and Devin Banerjee (October 17, 2013), Fortress Wins Big in Turnaround of Subprime Lender Springleaf, retrieved December 24, 2016CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  37. Opoien, Jessie (August 13, 2015), Bucks owner Wesley Edens deemed 'the new king of subprime lending', Madison, Wisconsin: The Capital Times, retrieved December 24, 2016
  38. "Select Investments", Fortress Investment Group, retrieved December 24, 2016
  39. "Centex Corporation Announces Agreement to Sell Centex Home Equity Company, LLC", Centex Corporation via PRNweswire, March 30, 2006, retrieved December 24, 2016
  40. Wickman, Natalie (August 19, 2015). "Common Ground protests Nationstar, Bucks owner Wes Edens". The Milwaukee Business Journal. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  41. Walker, Don (April 17, 2014). "Kohl sells Bucks for $550 million; $200 million pledged for new arena". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  42. "Milwaukee Bucks on the Forbes NBA Team Valuations List". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-09-01.
  43. "Club Statement". AVFC.co.uk. 20 July 2018.
  44. "The stunning story of how Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens saved and transformed Aston Villa". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  45. Carlton, Jimmy (6 January 2017). "Bucks co-owner Wes Edens invests in eSports, launches FlyQuest team". On Milwaukee.
  46. Webster, Andrew (11 February 2020). "FlyQuest: a League of Legends team is inspiring others to do good". ET The Verge.
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