Kurt Summers Jr, the former city treasurer of Chicago, has joined Blackstone’s infrastructure business to lead its public-private partnerships (PPP).
As head of PPP, Summers will focus on investment strategies in partnership with local governments, civic and labour organisations, and broader stakeholders “to help advance local infrastructure priorities, with a keen focus on advancing Blackstone Infrastructure’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts”, Blackstone said.
Summers has over 20 years of working experience in both the private and public sectors.
Prior to joining Blackstone Infrastructure, he served as a senior advisor to Blackstone where he provided insight and strategic direction around various investment opportunities, capital strategies and existing portfolio companies.
He also serves as an independent director of L&F Acquisition Corp.
From 2014 to 2019, Summers served as Chicago’s city treasurer. Prior to becoming treasurer of the city of Chicago, Summers served as a senior vice president at Grosvenor Capital Management.
He began his career at McKinsey & Company and later worked as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs.
Sean Klimczak, global head of infrastructure at Blackstone, said: “We’ve been pleased to have Kurt as an exceptional advisor to the firm and we are excited to welcome him to Blackstone Infrastructure Partners.
His extensive experience across the public and private sectors, as well as his expertise in ESG, will be invaluable to us and our investors.”
Summers said: “Blackstone Infrastructure is an innovator in the sector, and as an investor, I look forward to partnering with government entities, asset owners, local communities, and other stewards of public assets to leverage Blackstone’s capital, experience and commitment to ESG to further develop American Infrastructure.”
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