Early Life and Education
Jerry I. Speyer was born on June 23, 1940, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His father, a shoe manufacturer, fled Germany in 1939. Speyer grew up in a German-Jewish household and graduated from the Horace Mann School. He pursued higher education at Columbia University, earning a Bachelor's degree and an MBA from Columbia Business School in 1964.
Rise to Success
Speyer's career began in 1964 as Assistant to the Vice President of Madison Square Garden. In 1978, he co-founded Tishman Speyer with his father-in-law, Robert Tishman. Under Speyer's leadership, Tishman Speyer has developed and acquired numerous iconic properties, including Rockefeller Center and the Chrysler Building in New York City. The company has a vast portfolio with properties across the globe.
Key Business Strategies
Speyer is known for his strategic vision in real estate development and investment. Tishman Speyer's success is attributed to its ability to identify and capitalize on prime real estate opportunities, including redeveloping and managing landmark properties. His willingness to adapt to market changes, expand internationally, and focus on high-value properties have been key strategies.
Philanthropy
Jerry Speyer and his wife, Katherine Farley, are actively engaged in philanthropy, supporting various cultural and educational institutions. Speyer is the chairman of the New York-Presbyterian Hospital and has served on the boards of multiple cultural institutions.
