Early Life and Education
Jerry I. Speyer was born on June 23, 1940, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His parents were immigrants; his mother was Swiss, and his father was a German Jew who fled Germany in 1939. Speyer grew up in a cultured German-Jewish household. He attended the Horace Mann School and later graduated from Columbia College in 1962 with a degree in German literature. He furthered his education at Columbia Business School, earning an MBA in 1964.
Rise to Success
Speyer's career began in 1964 when he started as an Assistant to the Vice President of Madison Square Garden. In 1978, he co-founded Tishman Speyer with his father-in-law, Robert Tishman, and became its President and CEO. Under his leadership, Tishman Speyer has grown into a leading real estate development company with a global presence, developing over 152 million square feet of properties.
Key Business Strategies
Tishman Speyer's success is attributed to several key strategies. The company focuses on acquiring and redeveloping prime properties in major cities. Speyer's strategic vision and ability to anticipate market trends have been crucial to the company's growth. Tishman Speyer also strategically forms partnerships, allowing it to undertake large-scale projects. The firm's portfolio includes iconic properties such as Rockefeller Center and the Chrysler Building. The firm has also shown an ability to sell assets at opportune times, such as the sale of 666 Fifth Avenue to Kushner Companies in 2007.
Philanthropy
Jerry Speyer is known for his dedication to philanthropy and civic engagement. He has served as Chairman of New York-Presbyterian Hospital since 2019 and is also chair emeritus of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Additionally, he holds leadership roles in numerous other cultural and educational institutions, demonstrating a commitment to giving back to the community.