G. Staley Cates | Official Profile on The Marque

G. Staley Cates’ Biography

View moreless

G. Staley Cates is an investment executive with over 35 years of industry experience. He is the Vice-Chairman of Southeastern Asset Management, an independently owned global investment management firm, and sits on its Executive Committee.

Southeastern serves as the investment advisor to Longleaf Partners' family of mutual and UCITS funds. Staley holds co-portfolio managerial responsibility for Longleaf Partners, Small-Cap, International, Global and Longleaf Global UCITS Funds. Southeastern also advises institutional accounts including endowments, foundations, public and private retirement funds.

As a host of the firm's Price-to-Value Podcast series, Staley leads discussions on some of today's most important industry topics. He has welcomed numerous business leaders to the series, including Larry Culp, Chairman and CEO of GE, FedEx Founder & CEO Fred Smith and Chairman & CEO of Fairfax Financial Holdings, Prem Watsa.

Staley has a wide range of charitable interests, with a focus on education, youth engagement and the arts. He is Chairman of the Poplar Foundation, which provides... G. Staley Cates is an investment executive with over 35 years of industry experience. He is the Vice-Chairman of Southeastern Asset Management, an independently owned global investment management firm, and sits on its Executive Committee.

Southeastern serves as the investment advisor to Longleaf Partners' family of mutual and UCITS funds. Staley holds co-portfolio managerial responsibility for Longleaf Partners, Small-Cap, International, Global and Longleaf Global UCITS Funds. Southeastern also advises institutional accounts including endowments, foundations, public and private retirement funds.

As a host of the firm's Price-to-Value Podcast series, Staley leads discussions on some of today's most important industry topics. He has welcomed numerous business leaders to the series, including Larry Culp, Chairman and CEO of GE, FedEx Founder & CEO Fred Smith and Chairman & CEO of Fairfax Financial Holdings, Prem Watsa.

Staley has a wide range of charitable interests, with a focus on education, youth engagement and the arts. He is Chairman of the Poplar Foundation, which provides support for numerous youth services and educational initiatives in Memphis, and is Co-Founder of New Hope Christian Academy, a college-preparatory elementary school. He is also a founding board member of the Soulsville Foundation, which keeps the memory of the influential Stax Records alive by preserving its rich cultural legacy and utilizing its former space as a place for local artists to pursue their talents.

He played an integral role in bringing the NBA’s Grizzlies to Memphis, after which he served as a Founding Chairman of the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation. Launched in 2004, the foundation supports underprivileged and at-risk children through mentoring and education. Staley also led the redevelopment of Sears Crosstown, which had stood empty for nearly 20 years, into Crosstown Concourse.

Staley earned a BA in Business Administration from the University of Texas. moreless

G. Staley Cates’ Newsfeed

Memphis Business Journal

Power 100: Investors

The Power 100 Investors lead firms in the finance and investment industry and have continually given money to their communities and causes they support.

G. Staley Cates’ Background

Southeastern Asset Management

Vice-Chairman

1986 - Present

Memphis, TN, USA

Southeastern Asset Management is a global value investment management firm founded in 1975 by Mason Hawkins.

Morgan Keegan & Co

Research Associate

Memphis, TN, USA

Morgan Keegan & Co is a financial services business, handling asset and wealth management, financial planning, and portfolio management. The business was acquired by Raymond James Financial in 2012.

Current Board Positions

Soulsville Foundation

Founding Board Member

Memphis, TN, USA

Soulsville Foundation is the umbrella organization that looks after Stax Records Museum, Stax Music Academy and The Soulsville Charter School. The Foundation has at heart the preservation of the cultural legacy of Stax Records, the education of youth ready for life success and to act as inspiration for future artists in aspiration of their dreams.

Philanthropy

Memphis Grizzlies Foundation

Founding Chairman

Memphis, TN, USA

The Memphis Grizzlies Foundation was launched in 2004, with the aim to provide support to poverty-stricken and at-risk Memphis children through mentoring and education.

The Poplar Foundation

Director & Chairman

Memphis, TN, USA

The Poplar Foundation supports a variety of educational institutions and projects in Memphis.

View allHide

Media

Staley Cates: Where Value Investors are Finding Opportunities

Interview

Jun 2021

G. Staley Cates joins the Advisor Perspectives podcast to discuss key market trends and the range of sectors where investors can find new and emerging investment opportunities.

Jonathon Jacobson and Staley Cates – 25 Years of Shared Values in Value Investing

Host

May 2021

G. Staley Cates, Vice-Chairman of Southeastern Asset Management, interviews a widely-respected peer and friend of Southeastern, Jonathon Jacobson, Founder of HighSage Ventures and former CIO and Co-Founder of Highfields Capital.

GE: Larry Culp on Lean Manufacturing, Culture and COVID

Host

Jan 2021

Memphis, TN, USA

Southeastern’s Vice-Chairman Staley Cates interviews Larry Culp, Chairman and CEO of General Electric. They discuss how Lean manufacturing is more than a process and how it can define a culture that is committed to continual improvement. Larry begins with an introduction to “Lean”, and continues to discuss what made him take the role of CEO at GE and how he is leading GE to embrace Lean.

Southeastern: The Exceptional Opportunity in Small-Cap Value

Interview

May 2020

Staley and fellow fund manager, Ross Glotzbach, are interviewed by Robert Huebscher following the re-opening of Longleaf Partners' Small-Cap Fund.

FedEx: Fred Smith and Alan Graf on E-Commerce, Global Trade and Opportunity

Host

Nov 2019

Memphis, TN, USA

In this episode, Vice-Chairman Staley Cates interviews FedEx’s CEO and Founder Fred Smith and FedEx's EVP and CFO Alan Graf. They discuss the expansion of e-commerce, the opportunity it presents for FedEx, and how the company has positioned itself strategically to take advantage of the burgeoning field.

Will Thorndike on CNX, Outsiders and Private Equity

Host

Aug 2019

Memphis, TN, USA

CEO and Head of Research Ross Glotzbach and Vice-Chairman Staley Cates interview Will Thorndike, Chairman of CNX Resources and author of The Outsiders – Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success.

Prem Watsa – Insights on Investing, Underwriting and the Importance of Culture

Host

Mar 2019

Memphis, TN, USA

Vice-Chairman Staley Cates interviews Prem Watsa, Chairman and CEO of Fairfax Financial Holdings. They discuss surviving a short attack, Fairfax’s long-term investment track record, underwriting history and unique culture, and Prem’s view on private equity, active vs. passive and value investing.

Staley Cates on Why Active Management Wins in The Long Term

Interview

Sep 2015

Staley is interviewed by Robert Huebscher and provides his perspective on Southwestern's methodology and approach to value investments.

View allHide

Publications

A Guide to the Biggest Nonprofits in Memphis

Profile

Jul 2015

Memphis, TN, USA

This feature covers nine of the biggest nonprofits in Memphis that focus their attention on the Mid-South. It includes six private foundations, including The Poplar Foundation, of which G. Staley Cates serves as Director & Chairman.

Memberships

Millicom

Nomination Committee

Nov 2021 - Present

Luxembourg, LU

G. Staley Cates was appointed as a representative of Southeastern Asset Management, one of the largest shareholders in Millicom International Cellular S.A. Millicom is a top provider of mobile services focused on emerging markets in Latin America and Africa.

The Society of Entrepreneurs

Member

Memphis, TN, USA

Founded in 1991, The Society of Entrepreneurs works to improve the general welfare of the community, contribute to the public good, and foster education. It is focused on the development of the entrepreneurial spirit and recognition of the many contributions of area entrepreneurs.

View allHide

Awards & Recognition

2021 MBJ Power 100

Honoree

2021

Memphis, TN, USA

The Memphis Business Journal compiles the Power 100 list after months of research and discussion to see which individuals have had a significant impact in the business community and on the growth of the city of Memphis. Staley Cates was honored for his continued success with Southeastern and his work in the local community.

Morningstar Awards for Investing Excellence

Domestic Equity Fund Manager of the Year

2006

The Morningstar Awards were created to identify every year's most exceptional funds and fund managers. Staley Cates shared this honor with Mason Hawkins, and both were also considered for this award in 2003 and 2009.

Specialist Courses

CFA Institute

Chartered Financial Analyst

New York, NY, USA

The CFA Program provides participants with the knowledge and skills to compete in the investment sector.

Speaking Engagements

Invaluable Insights, Part 2

Featured Speaker

Jan 2021

In this dynamic conversation, moderated by Ariel's Mellody Hobson, prominent asset managers debated: predictions for 2021; the market’s reaction to civil unrest as the U.S. transitions to a new presidential administration; the challenges of managing portfolios during a global pandemic; value vs. growth stocks, and much more.

Invaluable Insights 2020

Featured Speaker

May 2020

Invaluable Insights 2020 featured an in-depth conversation between renowned value investors. The assembled speakers, which included G. Staley Cates, Vice-Chairman of Southeastern Asset Management, discussed the challenges of managing portfolios during a global pandemic, among many other topics.

Charitable Interests

Memphis Athletic Ministries

Supporter

Memphis, TN, USA

Memphis Athletic Ministries (MAM) is a charitable Christian organization supporting the youth of Memphis and coaching, growing, and leading them.

G. Staley Cates’ Education

University of Texas at Austin

BA | Business Administration