Nicholas J. Pritzker

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Nicholas J. Pritzker
Born (1945-10-16) October 16, 1945 (age 78)
Occupation(s)Businessman
Philanthropist
SpouseSusan Stowell
Children4
Parent(s)Jack Nicholas Pritzker
Rhoda Pritzker
RelativesSee Pritzker family

Nicholas J. Pritzker is an American real estate and venture entrepreneur in San Francisco, California.[1] He served as the Chairman of the board and CEO of the Hyatt Development Corporation.[2][3] He is a member of the wealthy Pritzker family, who owned chewing-tobacco giant Conwood before selling it to Reynolds American.[4]

Early life and education[edit]

Pritzker was born in Chicago on 16 October 1945, son of Jack Nicholas Pritzker (1903-1979) and Rhoda Goldberg Pritzker (1914-2007). He attended Reed College, Lake Forest College and the London School of Film. He went on to receive a J.D. from the University of Chicago.[5]

Career[edit]

Pritzker assumed responsibility of Hyatt Hotels Corporation in Chicago, Illinois after working with his father, Jack Pritzker, in real estate.[6] He served as the president of the company and oversaw international hotel projects.[7] Pritzker also served on Hyatt Hotel Corporation's board of directors from 1980 to 2007.[7] He is an independent entrepreneur and co-founder of Tao Capital.[1] The investment firm primarily invests in sustainable energy and disruptive technology businesses. Tao Capital's early investments include Tesla Motors, Uber, SpaceX, Twist Bioscience, Aquion Energy, Atlantica Hotels, United Record Pressing and Foundations Recovery Network.[8] Pritzker is on the board of JUUL Labs since 2017, an electronic cigarette company.[9]

Philanthropy[edit]

He has served on various non-profit boards including as Vice Chairman of Conservation International, Chairman of the Grand Victoria Foundation,[1][10][11] Vice Chairman of Clean Energy Trust, and Chairman of the Libra Foundation.[10][12]

Personal life[edit]

Pritzker is married to Susan Stowell Pritzker and they have four children.[13][14] They live in Nicasio, California.[15] Nick is a loyal follower of the band Widespread Panic & has not missed a show since 2002.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Board Members". Archived from the original on December 29, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  2. ^ "The Business Week" (3747–3755): 96. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ "Guide to Private Fortunes, 1993". 1992: 437. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ Richtel, Matt; Kaplan, Sheila (August 27, 2018). "Did Juul Lure Teenagers and Get 'Customers for Life'?". The New York Times.
  5. ^ "Pritzker family donates $30 million to the University of Chicago". www-news.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
  6. ^ "#1195 Nicholas Pritzker, II". Forbes. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Nicholas J. Pritzker, J.D." Archived from the original on January 17, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  8. ^ "Tao Capital Partners". Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  9. ^ Ari Levi (December 19, 2017). "E-cigarette maker Juul is raising $150 million after spinning out of vaping company". CNBC.
  10. ^ a b "The Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability at Pitzer College Press Conference" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  11. ^ Yates, Jon (June 25, 2003). "18 community funds to receive grants from Elgin casino". Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  12. ^ "The Libra Foundation". Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  13. ^ Forbes: "The fascinating life of Penny Pritzker (so far)" by Nina Easton June 2, 2014
  14. ^ Forbes: The World's Billionaires - Nicholas Pritzker, II November 2019
  15. ^ Los Angeles Times: "Tiny Hamlet Wary of Hotelier's Plan for Big Family Compound" by Carol Pogash March 16, 2003