(This is my fifth article on the leaders of KKR. Be sure to check through my archives to find other KKR notables). -Stan
Being pioneers of the business, it is easy to assume that to replace Henry Kravis and George Roberts is something that the firm would rather not think about, especially now that the business is booming and opportunities seem to appear in every corner. KKR still looks ahead with gusto to the future with the two founders still at the helm of the ship.
But to give credit where credit is due, the two founding partners are not just resting on their laurels. Little by little, the two have taken steps in future-proofing their firm; in making sure that whenever they decide to give up the driver’s seat, they will be leaving the steering wheel at the hands of capable drivers. Many critics doubt that anyone can replace what the pioneers have done with regards to the business industry. But with these potential, one can see that they have at least a strong fighting chance to do so. One of the up and coming minds that play secondary captains to KKR’s ship is Marc Lipschultz.
Marc Lipschultz is one of the leaders of the energy industry group at KKR and was involved in all aspects of KKR's investment in International Transmission Holdings and the announced agreements to invest in UniSource Energy Corporation and Texas Genco. A graduate of Stanford University and the Harvard Business School, Marc Lipschultz also serves as member of the board of directors in companies like Amphenol Corporation and The Boyds Collection Limited. He also serves as a special advisor along with Henry Kravis for the company Accel KKR.
Dubbed as the rising star of KKR, Marc Lipschultz joined KKR 12 years ago, coming from Goldman Sachs. At 38, he has already been involved in many of the firm’s big company acquisitions like the $45 billion purchase of TXU, a Texas-based energy group.
Through hiring individuals with class like that of Marc Lipschultz, the doubts that the future of KKR after its founders have left will be forgotten in many of the critics’ minds.
