Early Life
Brad Jacobs was born on August 3, 1956, in Providence, Rhode Island. He attended Northfield Mount Hermon School and studied math and music at Bennington College and Brown University, though he did not complete a degree. His father was a fashion jewelry importer.
Rise to Success
Jacobs is known for founding and scaling multiple billion-dollar companies in the waste management, equipment rental, and logistics industries. In 1989, he founded United Waste Systems, later selling it in 1997 for $2.5 billion. He then founded United Rentals, which became the world's largest equipment rental company. In 2011, Jacobs invested in Express-1 Expedited Solutions, which was later rebranded as XPO Logistics, and he has served as chairman. He has completed approximately 500 acquisitions. In 2024, he founded QXO with the intention to consolidate the building products distribution industry.
Key Business Strategies
Jacobs's success stems from his ability to identify opportunities in fragmented industries and scale companies through acquisitions. He focuses on combining intelligence with effort and maintaining a laser focus to achieve success.
Philanthropy
Jacobs is involved in philanthropy and has donated to organizations focused on education and public health.