Tony Ressler

Tony Ressler is Co-Founder of Ares Management and its current Executive Chairman. Since its founding in 1997, Ares has grown to become a leading global alternative asset manager with over $179 billion of assets under management as of September 2020, focusing on private equity, real estate and credit. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Ares has offices across the US, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Tony also serves as Chairman of the Ares Executive Management Committee and is a member of the Investment Committees in the Ares Private Equity and Ares Real Estate Groups, as well as the Ares Diversity and Inclusion Council. Prior to Ares, Tony co-founded Apollo Global Management in 1990 and helped lead it to become a top alternative investment manager.

Since 2015, Tony has served as the Principal Owner and Chair of the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. As Chairman/CEO and Controlling Owner of ATL Invesco Board, Tony leads the group in its ownership role of the Hawks, the Atlanta Hawks Foundation, the College Park Skyhawks and the Hawks Talon GC.

Tony’s work in Atlanta goes beyond the front office and basketball court. He has continually supported initiatives that promote economic revitalization and opportunity in Atlanta, including a recent agreement with the National Black Bank Foundation and the transformation of State Farm Arena into Georgia’s largest-ever voting center.

Outside of Atlanta, Tony is Co-founder of The Ressler Gertz Family Foundation, which helps underprivileged people gain opportunities in education, health and human services, and the arts. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (LA) and Co-chair of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Board of Trustees. He is a founding board member of the Painted Turtle Camp, an organization that provides camping opportunities for children battling illnesses.

Tony holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and an MBA from Columbia University.