Early Life and Education
David Adelman was born on March 11, 1972, and raised in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania, to a Jewish family. His grandfather was a Holocaust survivor. Adelman's entrepreneurial journey began early. At 13, he invested $2,000 of his bar mitzvah money in Campus Apartments, guided by his mentor, Alan Horwitz, the founder of Campus Apartments. Adelman attended Ohio State University, graduating in 1994 with a degree in Political Science.
Rise to Success
Adelman's career took off when he became CEO of Campus Apartments in 1997 at age 25. Under his leadership, Campus Apartments expanded significantly. Adelman also co-founded FS Investments, an alternative investment firm that manages billions in assets. In 2013, Adelman led a $30 million investment in the private aviation company Wheels Up. In 2022, Adelman bought a 10% ownership stake in Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. Adelman is also the founder of Darco Capital, his family office investment vehicle.
Key Business Strategies
Adelman has focused on strategic investments in real estate, student housing, and alternative investments, as well as ventures into sports and entertainment. He expanded Campus Apartments to include properties at numerous schools. Adelman's investments through Darco Capital span multiple sectors, including climate tech, spirits, fintech, and consumer brands.
Philanthropy
Adelman is actively involved in philanthropy, supporting various Jewish organizations. He is the former chairman of the Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation and serves on the board of the USC Shoah Foundation.