Early Life and Education
James Tomilson "Tom" Hill III was born in New York City on May 24, 1948. He attended The Buckley School and Milton Academy before pursuing higher education. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from Harvard College, studying history, literature, and Japanese studies. Hill then went on to earn an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Rise to Success
Hill began his career at First Boston in 1973, where he was a founding principal in the mergers and acquisitions department. He then moved to Smith Barney, where he served as head of its mergers and acquisitions department before joining Lehman Brothers in 1982 as a partner in its M&A department. At Lehman Brothers, he rose through the ranks to become head of M&A, head of Investment Banking, and co-CEO. In 1993, Hill joined Blackstone as co-head of the corporate mergers and acquisitions advisory group. In 2000, he became president and CEO of Blackstone Alternative Asset Management (BAAM). Hill served as Vice Chairman of Blackstone. In the spring of 2021, Hill became chairman of private investments at Two Sigma.
Key Business Strategies
Hill's career is marked by strategic moves in the financial sector, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions in his early years. Later, he transitioned to hedge funds at Blackstone, leading BAAM to become a major player in the industry. He is known for his ability to navigate complex financial deals. His move to Two Sigma shows his continued involvement in the investment world.
Philanthropy
Hill is deeply involved in philanthropy. He is the chairman of Lincoln Center Theater and has served as chairman of the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. He also serves on the board of directors of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. He founded the Hill Art Foundation with his wife Janine to share their art collection and run educational programs.