FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York, New York
December 19, 2007

press release (PDF 108K)

Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd C. Blankfein Named Co-Chair of The Partnership for New York City

Blankfein Joins Victor Ganzi at the Helm of New York City's Leading Business Organization

Lloyd C. Blankfein, Chairman & CEO The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., was elected Co-Chair of the Partnership for New York City, the city's leading business organization. He joins Victor F. Ganzi, President & CEO of Hearst Corporation, who is serving his second year as Co-Chair.

Blankfein joined Goldman Sachs as a commodities trader in 1982 and rose to assume leadership of the firm in 2006. He graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School and previously worked as a corporate attorney. Born in the Bronx, Blankfein grew up in the East New York section of Brooklyn, graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School.

“The business community has a crucial role to play in shaping the city’s future," said Ganzi.  "I look forward to working with Lloyd and our membership to tackle important challenges, including the continued improvement of public education, maintaining our global competitiveness, and finding the resources to modernize the city's aging infrastructure.”

Blankfein succeeds Charles O. Prince, former Chairman and CEO of Citi, who served as Co-Chair of the Partnership since 2005. 

“Lloyd Blankfein brings a depth of knowledge of New York and its diverse communities that makes him an ideal leader for the Partnership,” said Partnership President & CEO Kathryn S. Wylde. “We also wish to thank Chuck Prince for his enormous contribution.”

In addition to electing Blankfein as Co-Chair, Partnership members re-elected three distinguished private sector leaders to the position of Vice Chair at the Partnership’s Annual Meeting, held on December 13, 2007:  Candace K. Beinecke, Chair, Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP and Chair, First Eagle Fund; Kenneth I. Chenault, Chairman & CEO, American Express Company; and Terry J. Lundgren, Chairman, President & CEO, Federated Department Stores Inc.  Sy Sternberg, Chairman & CEO, New York Life Insurance Company was re-elected Secretary.

The Partnership for New York City (www.pfnyc.org) is a network of business leaders dedicated to enhancing the economy of the five boroughs of New York City and maintaining the city’s position as the global center of commerce, culture and innovation.