Lewis Eisenberg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lewis Eisenberg
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| United States Ambassador to Italy United States Ambassador to San Marino |
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| In office October 4, 2017 – January 4, 2021 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | John R. Phillips |
| Succeeded by | Jack Markell |
| Chair of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey | |
| In office November 9, 1995 – December 13, 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Kathleen Donovan |
| Succeeded by | Jack Sinagra |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Lewis Michael Eisenberg
October 12, 1942 Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence | Vero Beach, Florida |
| Education | Dartmouth College (BA) Cornell University (MBA) |
Lewis Michael Eisenberg (born October 12, 1942) is an American businessman and former diplomat. He served as the United States Ambassador to Italy and the United States Ambassador to San Marino. He is known for helping to start and lead an investment company called Granite Capital International Group L.P.
Mr. Eisenberg has been involved in American politics for many years. He held important roles at national and state levels. One of his key roles was being the chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. This agency managed the World Trade Center when the September 11, 2001 attack happened.
In July 2017, President Donald Trump chose Eisenberg to be the U.S. Ambassador to Italy. The U.S. Senate approved his appointment on August 3, 2017. He served in this role until January 2021.
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Early Life and Education
Lewis Eisenberg was born into a Jewish family in Illinois. He grew up in the city of Chicago. His family worked in the farming business.
He went to Dartmouth College and earned a bachelor's degree in 1964. After that, he studied at Cornell University. He received his master's degree in business administration (MBA) in 1966.
Career in Finance
After finishing his studies at Cornell University, Eisenberg started his career in finance. He began working for Goldman Sachs in 1966. Goldman Sachs is a very well-known investment bank.
From 1966 to 1989, Eisenberg worked in many different roles at Goldman Sachs. He became a partner in 1978. He finished his time there as a co-head of the Equity Division. This part of the company dealt with stocks.
In 1990, Eisenberg helped create Granite Capital International Group L.P. This company managed investments for private clients. He was a co-chairman there. He also helped start Granum Communications and was on its board until 2007. He served on the board of ITC, which is a large electric power transmission business.
Starting in 2009, Eisenberg worked as a senior advisor for Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR). He worked with the founders to help with investment decisions. He focused especially on projects related to public infrastructure.
Public Service Roles
In 1994, the Governor of New Jersey, Christine Todd Whitman, appointed Eisenberg. He was chosen to lead the New Jersey Commission on Privatization and Competitive Contracting. This group looked for ways to make government services more efficient.
On November 9, 1995, he was elected chairman of the board for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He had already been a commissioner on the board since February 1994. During his time as chairman, he helped arrange a long-term lease for the World Trade Center buildings. This was part of a plan to privatize the buildings.
His term as chairman of the Port Authority ended in December 2001. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers happened during his time as chairman. Many Port Authority employees, including the executive director, lost their lives that day.
Eisenberg was planning to leave the Port Authority before the 9/11 attacks. He was going to take on a new role in New Jersey. However, he chose to stay at the Port Authority after the attacks. He wanted to provide leadership during that difficult time.
Soon after leaving the Port Authority, New York Governor George Pataki appointed him to a new board. In January 2002, he joined the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. This group worked on rebuilding Lower Manhattan after the attacks. He also led the Victims' Families and Transportation Advisory Council until April 2003.
Involvement in Politics
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Lewis Eisenberg has been very active in politics. In 2000, he led the Victory 2000 campaign in New Jersey. In January 2002, he became the chairman of the finance committee for the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C.
In 2003, he was a co-chairman for the NYC 2004 Host Committee. This group helped organize the Republican Convention in New York City. He also co-chaired the Bush/Cheney 2004 campaign in New Jersey.
Eisenberg worked on the transition teams for Governors Whitman and Pataki. He also helped with the Bush-Cheney presidential transition team. He is a founder and former chairman of the Republican Leadership Council. This is a political action committee.
From 2002 to 2004, he led the finance committee for the Republican National Committee. In 2004, he helped organize the 2004 Republican National Convention. In 2008, he was a national co-chairman for John McCain's presidential campaign. He also led the finance efforts for McCain/Palin Victory 2008. He was a key fundraiser for Donald Trump's presidential campaign in 2016.
Awards and Recognition
Lewis Eisenberg has received several awards for his work. In 1995, he was given the Eagle Award by the New Jersey Alliance for Action. In 2000, the National Conference for Community and Justice in New Jersey honored him as "Man of the Year." Also in 2000, Monmouth University named him the New Jersey Businessman of the Year.
On May 16, 2001, Monmouth University gave him an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree. On May 5, 2002, he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from the Rabbinical College of America. In 2018, Eisenberg received the Premio Simpatia in Rome, Italy.
Community and Non-Profit Work
Eisenberg has also been involved in many non-profit organizations. He served on the advisory council for the Samuel Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University. He was also a board member of St. Barnabas Health Care System. He used to lead its investment committee. He also served on the board of trustees for the Monmouth Medical Center Foundation.
