About
Gerald ("Jerry") Grinstein is an American businessman who built a career in transportation before moving into investing. He served as chief counsel to the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, then led major transportation companies, serving as chairman and CEO of Western Airlines and later as CEO of Burlington Northern from 1985 to 1995, where he helped shape the merger that formed BNSF Railway. He joined Delta Air Lines' board in 1987 and became its CEO in 2004 during a severe financial crisis, steering the airline through Chapter 11 bankruptcy and a restructuring program before retiring in 2007. As CEO, he cut his own compensation well below industry norms and helped defeat a hostile takeover bid from US Airways. He is a co-founder of Madrona Venture Group and a founding partner of Harkness Capital. He has held numerous corporate and nonprofit board seats, including at the University of Washington. He and his wife Carolyn live in Medina, Washington.
Beyond investing
- Founded
- He is a co-founder of Madrona Venture Group.
- Education
- Studied at Yale University (BA, 1954) Studied at Harvard Law School (JD, 1957)
- Boards
- He serves as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Washington. He is a Trustee of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation. He is a board member of Long Live the Kings. He is a board member of the University of Washington Foundation. He is a board member of the University of Washington Medical Center. He is a board member of the Foster School of Business. He is a board member of the William D. Ruckelshaus Center. He was a board member of the Seattle Symphony. He was a board member of The Seattle Foundation.
- Charities
- Upon retiring from Delta in 2007, he allocated his bankruptcy emergence stock grants to establish a scholarship fund for Delta employees and their children and a hardship fund for Delta families.
- Awards
- He received the Railroader of the Year award in 1996.
- Hobbies
- He celebrated his 80th birthday with a salmon-fishing trip alongside William Ruckelshaus.
- Family
- He and his wife Carolyn live in Medina, Washington.
From Gerald's own website — common ground for a warm intro.
Investments
Board seats
Aligent TechnologiesBax GlobalBrowning-Ferris IndustriesExpedia.comFoundation BankImperial Sugar Co,Jacobson CompaniesKane is AbleLight Sciences CorporationPACCAR Inc.Pittston Minerals GroupPortland General Electric Co.Sunstrand CorporationThe Brink's CompanyThinkFire Services USAVANS, Inc.Vascular Reconditioning Inc
Per curated public sources.
Colleagues at Madrona Venture Group
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Gerald Grinstein?
- Gerald ("Jerry") Grinstein is an American businessman who built a career in transportation before moving into investing. He served as chief counsel to the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, then led major transportation companies, serving as chairman and CEO of Western Airlines and later as CEO of Burlington Northern from 1985 to 1995, where he helped shape the merger that formed BNSF Railway. He joined Delta Air Lines' board in 1987 and became its CEO in 2004 during a severe financial crisis, steering the airline through Chapter 11 bankruptcy and a restructuring program before retiring in 2007. As CEO, he cut his own compensation well below industry norms and helped defeat a hostile takeover bid from US Airways. He is a co-founder of Madrona Venture Group and a founding partner of Harkness Capital. He has held numerous corporate and nonprofit board seats, including at the University of Washington. He and his wife Carolyn live in Medina, Washington.
- Where does Gerald Grinstein work?
- Gerald Grinstein is Co-Founder at Madrona Venture Group.
- What boards does Gerald Grinstein sit on?
- Gerald Grinstein holds tracked board seats at Aligent Technologies, Bax Global, Browning-Ferris Industries, Expedia.com, Foundation Bank, Imperial Sugar Co,, Jacobson Companies, Kane is Able, Light Sciences Corporation, PACCAR Inc..
- What awards has Gerald Grinstein received?
- He received the Railroader of the Year award in 1996.