Berkshire Partners, a Boston-based investment firm, announced today that Blake Gottesman and Sam Spirn were appointed Managing Directors effective January 1, 2018. They join the 22 current Managing Directors of Berkshire in managing the firm and its affiliated investment funds. The firm’s 24 Managing Directors have an average tenure of 17 years with the firm.

Mr. Gottesman originally joined Berkshire in 2007 as a Summer Associate and returned to Berkshire in 2009 after graduating from business school. Mr. Gottesman has extensive experience with Berkshire’s consumer products and retail, communications, and industrial companies. Prior to joining Berkshire, Mr. Gottesman served as Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House and as a Special Assistant and Personal Aide to former U.S. President George W. Bush. He received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Mr. Spirn originally joined Berkshire in 2009 and has extensive experience with Berkshire’s healthcare, consumer products and retail, and communications companies. Prior to joining Berkshire, Mr. Spirn worked in private equity at Summit Partners. He received an A.B. from Harvard College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Berkshire’s investment staff is comprised of professionals who have a broad range of backgrounds and experiences, including operations, consulting and finance. The original team, which came together in the mid-1980s, has expanded significantly as the firm’s capital base and investment scope have grown. Collectively, the firm benefits from its shared experiences, insights and relationships as it pursues its investment activities.

About Berkshire Partners

Berkshire Partners, a Boston-based investment firm, pursues investments in both private equity and marketable securities. Since 1986, the firm has raised nine private equity funds with more than $16 billion in aggregate capital and has made over 120 investments in primarily middle market companies. Berkshire has developed specific industry experience in several areas including consumer products and retail, communications, business services, industrials and healthcare. Within private equity, Berkshire typically seeks to invest $50 million to $500 million of capital in each portfolio company and has a strong history of partnering with management teams to grow the companies in which it invests with the goal of consistently achieving superior investment returns. The firm invests in marketable securities through Stockbridge Investors, which was founded in 2007 and seeks to manage a concentrated portfolio of attractive long-term investments. For additional information, visit www.berkshirepartners.com.