Early Life
Antony P. Ressler was born on October 12, 1960, in Washington, D.C.. He was raised in a Jewish family and is one of five children. His father was an attorney and a World War II veteran. Ressler earned a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Rise to Success
Ressler began his career at Drexel Burnham Lambert, where he worked in the high-yield bond department. He eventually became a Senior Vice President. After Drexel's collapse, Ressler co-founded Apollo Global Management in 1990 with Leon Black and others. In 1997, he co-founded Ares Management with John H. Kissick and Bennett Rosenthal. Under his leadership, Ares Management has become a global leader in alternative investments.
Key Business Strategies
Ressler's success is attributed to his ability to identify undervalued assets and execute strategic investments. He focused on building and growing Ares Management into a global powerhouse in the financial industry. His career is marked by his disciplined approach to investment, leadership, and risk management within the private equity sector.
Philanthropy
Ressler and his wife, Jami Gertz, are actively involved in charitable activities, particularly through the Gertz-Ressler High Academy, part of Alliance College-Ready Public Schools. The couple's Ressler Gertz Family Foundation focuses on supporting the arts, education, healthcare, and social services, with annual giving growing to $24.3 million in 2024.
