Early Life and Education
Byron David Trott was born on December 2, 1958, in Springfield, Missouri. He was raised in Union, Missouri. Trott received an AB from the University of Chicago in 1981, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 1982. As an undergraduate, he played on the varsity baseball and football teams and was awarded the Amos Alonzo Stagg Medal in 1981.
Rise to Success
Trott began his career in 1982 at Goldman Sachs as a stockbroker. He quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Vice Chairman of Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs. During his tenure, he advised many of the wealthiest families and closely held companies. Trott left Goldman Sachs in early 2009 to found BDT & Company, which later merged with MSD Partners to form BDT & MSD Partners in January 2023.
Key Business Strategies
BDT & MSD Partners focuses on providing advisory and long-term capital solutions to family- and founder-led businesses. The firm's strategy emphasizes building strong relationships and aligning interests with its clients. BDT & MSD Partners has over $60 billion in assets under management.
Philanthropy
Trott and his wife, Tina, are involved in philanthropy. They co-founded the rootEd Alliance in 2018, which places college and career advisors in rural high schools. In 2024, they pledged to donate an additional $130 million to support the Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) Network.