Early Life and Education
José E. Feliciano was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Growing up in a family that emphasized education, Feliciano developed a strong desire to understand the world. He pursued a degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton University, graduating in 1994. This early exposure to technical and scientific principles laid the foundation for his analytical approach to business. He furthered his education at Stanford Graduate School of Business, earning an MBA.
Rise to Success
Feliciano's career began in investment banking at Goldman Sachs, where he gained experience in mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance. He then served as chief financial officer at govWorks and held a senior position at Tennenbaum Capital. In 2006, Feliciano co-founded Clearlake Capital with Behdad Eghbali. Clearlake Capital has become a leading private equity firm, managing over $85 billion in assets as of 2024. Clearlake Capital has made over 300 investments. A significant achievement was Clearlake's involvement in the acquisition of Chelsea Football Club in 2022. Feliciano's leadership has been instrumental in Clearlake's success, earning him recognition and influence in the finance industry.
Key Business Strategies
Clearlake Capital focuses on value-driven investments, particularly in the technology, industrials, and consumer sectors. A key strategy is partnering with world-class management teams to improve operations. The firm has an operational improvement approach, known as O.P.S.®, which has been instrumental in the success of its portfolio companies. Feliciano emphasizes teamwork and honesty within Clearlake, fostering a culture of cooperation and continuous improvement. He actively serves on the boards of several Clearlake portfolio companies, including Chelsea Football Club and WellPet.
Philanthropy
Feliciano is deeply committed to philanthropy. With his wife, Kwanza Jones, he co-founded the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative, a philanthropic grantmaking and investment organization focused on education, entrepreneurship, equity, and empowerment. The Initiative has committed over $200 million to various causes. In 2020, they donated $20 million to Princeton University, the first time residence halls were named after Black and Latino donors. Feliciano also supports the Robert Toigo Foundation and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and serves as a trustee for Stanford University and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino.
