Early Life and Education
David Golub was born in Chicago in 1950. He moved to Richardson, Texas at age 5. Golub's interest in music was sparked when his father noticed him trying to play Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata by ear, which led to piano lessons and later, studies with Betty Lief Sims and Alexander Uninsky in Dallas. He entered The Juilliard School at age 18, where he studied with Beveridge Webster.
Rise to Success
After graduating from Harvard, David Golub was awarded a Marshall Scholarship and earned a Master of Philosophy from Oxford University. He later obtained an MBA from Stanford Business School. Golub's career includes leadership roles at Centre Partners, a leading middle-market private equity firm, and Corporate Partners, a Lazard-sponsored private equity fund. In 2003, he joined Golub Capital, where he currently serves as President. He also serves as CEO of Golub Capital BDC (NASDAQ: GBDC). Under his leadership, Golub Capital has become a major player in financing middle-market private equity deals.
Key Business Strategies
Golub Capital focuses on sponsor finance, providing loans to companies controlled by private equity firms. Key strategies include specializing in one market to build competitive advantages, fostering strong relationships with clients (about 90% of business comes from the same group of clients each year), and building a strong corporate culture that prioritizes training and belonging. Golub also emphasizes a hands-on approach, understanding market dynamics, and adapting to changing conditions. The firm's focus on floating-rate senior secured loans provides resilience in uncertain economic times.
Philanthropy
David Golub is a dedicated supporter of several non-profits, including the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, where he served as the first board chairman and a long-time director.
