George Roberts

Early Life and Education

George Roberts was born in Houston, Texas, into a Jewish family. He graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1962 and later received the "Man of the Year" Award in 1998. He then attended Claremont McKenna College, graduating in 1966, and earned a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1969.

Rise to Success

Roberts began his career in the late 1960s and early 1970s at Bear Stearns, where he became a partner at age 29. He engaged in "bootstrap" investments with Jerome Kohlberg and Henry Kravis, including the acquisition of Orkin Exterminating Company in 1964. In 1976, Roberts, along with Kohlberg and Kravis, left Bear Stearns to form Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR).

Key Business Strategies

KKR focused on leveraged buyouts (LBOs), a relatively new and innovative strategy at the time. KKR's early deals, such as the 1979 purchase of Houdaille Industries, cemented the company's reputation as a leader in buyouts. The 1988 acquisition of RJR Nabisco for $25 billion was a major breakthrough, solidifying KKR's market position. KKR's success is based on private investments, asset management, and work with alternative investment instruments.

Philanthropy

George Roberts is the founder and Chairman of the board of directors of the Roberts Enterprise Development Fund (REDF), a nonprofit organization in San Francisco. REDF focuses on job creation for people facing significant barriers to work.