Jonathan M. Nelson

Jonathan Nelson
Born	Jonathan Milton Nelson 1956 Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Nationality	United States
Education	Brown University Harvard Business School
Occupation	Founder of Providence Equity Partners
Net worth	$1.76 billion (November 2014)

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 billion in commitments.

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 $9 billion under management.

Nelson serves on the boards of the Chernin Group, MLS Media, the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New JerseyTelevision 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.

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.

See also

• Providence Equity Partners
• History of private equity and venture capital
• Private equity
• Leveraged buyout

External links

• Providence Equity Partners official website