BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Berkshire Partners today announced that Alfred F. Kelly Jr., will join the firm as an Advisory Director effective in March 2024. Mr. Kelly served as the Chief Executive Officer of Visa from 2016 to 2023, was elected Chairman of the Board in 2019, and became Executive Chairman in 2023.
In his role as Advisory Director, Mr. Kelly will be of counsel to the firm, serve on portfolio company boards, and provide direct C-suite support and guidance to a number of the firm’s portfolio companies.
“I’ve known the team at Berkshire Partners for many years and have been consistently impressed with their ability to grow and scale middle market companies into category leaders. The firm’s strong integrity and commitment to collaboration, teamwork, and winning the right way reflect the values that I’ve held firmly throughout my career,” said Mr. Kelly. “At Visa, I saw firsthand the positive effect that middle market businesses have on our economy in terms of job creation, innovation, and the business ecosystems they create and support.”
“I first met Al over a decade ago and have long admired him as a business leader and human being,” said Berkshire Partners Managing Director Ross Jones. “Al’s diverse experience in the payments industry as well as technology, financial services, and sports gives him a unique perspective on what businesses need to do in order to succeed and thrive. We’re excited to have his intellectual firepower supporting our firm and portfolio companies.”
Prior to his leadership at Visa, Mr. Kelly spent the majority of his career at American Express where he worked from 1987 to 2010. During that 23-year period, he held several senior positions, including serving as President from 2007 to 2010. Immediately prior to Visa, Mr. Kelly was President and Chief Executive Officer at Intersection, an Alphabet-backed private technology and digital media company based in New York City. In 2015, Mr. Kelly served as chair of Pope Francis’ visit to New York City. From April 2011 to August 2014, Mr. Kelly was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the entity created to raise funds for and host Super Bowl XLVIII. Prior to joining American Express, Mr. Kelly was the head of information systems at the White House from 1985 to 1987. Mr. Kelly also held various positions in information systems and financial planning at PepsiCo Inc. from 1981 to 1985.
Mr. Kelly serves as a Trustee of New York Presbyterian Hospital and Boston College. In 2016, Mr. Kelly was named a Knight in the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, by Pope Francis. Mr. Kelly holds both a B.A. in Computer and Information Science and an M.B.A. from Iona University.
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Berkshire Partners is a 100% employee-owned, multi-sector specialist investor in private and public equity. The firm’s private equity team invests in well-positioned, growing companies across consumer, healthcare, services & industrials, technology & communications, and digital infrastructure. The firm's public equity group, Stockbridge, founded in 2007, manages a concentrated portfolio seeking attractive long-term investments. The firm’s Stockbridge and Private Equity teams frequently collaborate and leverage their collective industry expertise across sectors. For additional information, visit www.berkshirepartners.com.
Disclaimer:
Certain statements above have been provided by business contacts of Berkshire Partners and/or members of the management teams of certain portfolio companies owned by certain investment vehicles advised by Berkshire Partners. None of such individuals were compensated for providing these statements. However, as a result of the relationships of these individuals with Berkshire Partners, a conflict of interest exists because these individuals have an incentive to make positive statements about their experiences with Berkshire Partners to maintain the goodwill with Berkshire Partners.