G. Philip Stephenson
| G. Philip Stephenson | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 16, 1965 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Harvard College and Harvard Law School |
G. Philip Stephenson (born March 16, 1965) is an American businessman, philanthropist, film producer, and ocean conservationist. He is Chairman of the Freedom Group, a set of companies focused on portfolio investing, real estate and hotel development, and media. He also operates a private foundation bearing his name. Mr. Stephenson lives in Northern Virginia and on the private Caribbean island of Petit St. Vincent.
Early life
Stephenson grew up in Houston, Texas, where he graduated from The Kinkaid School in 1983. He received a magna cum laude BA degree in Government from Harvard College in 1986 and a magna cum laude in JD from Harvard Law School in 1990.[1]
Career
After graduating from law school, Stephenson practiced corporate law in the Washington DC office of Baker & Botts (1990-1991). After briefly serving as a Schedule C appointee in the US Treasury (1991-1993), he founded and served as a General Partner of International Equity Partners (IEP), an investment firm specializing in Asian and East European markets (1993-2001). After selling IEP, he became a shareholder in and Vice Chairman of the Rompetrol Group,[2] a large multinational oil refining and marketing company headquartered in the Netherlands. He sold his entire stake in the Rompetrol Group in late 2007.[3]
Freedom capital and development
These Virginia based companies make and monitor public and private investments, including multifamily rental real estate in Northern Virginia.
- Petit St. Vincent[4] - In 2010 Stephenson, through Freedom Resorts Ltd, led the buyout of the 115-acre private island of Petit Saint Vincent in the southern Grenadines. The 22 room boutique hotel there was further renovated and has won many awards.[5] In 2014 Jean Michel Cousteau opened a diving center on the island.[6]
- Freedom Media - In 2013 Mr. Stephenson established Freedom Media, which has since invested in 4 independent films, including the critically acclaimed “Maggie’s Plan” (starring Julianne Moore, Ethan Hawke and Greta Gerwig) to be theatrically released by Sony Pictures Classics in 2016.[7]
- The Stephenson Foundation - The Stephenson Foundation is a 501(c) (3) private foundation which promotes exploration, protection, education and enjoyment of the world’s oceans. The foundation’s multi-year and project commitments include:
- National Geographic’s “Pristine Seas” project,
- The Nature Conservancy’s program in the Eastern Caribbean,[8]
- Jean Michel Cousteau's 'Ocean Futures Society',
- Dr. Robert Ballard's 'Ocean Exploration Trust,'[9]
- Dr. Sylvia Earle’s “Mission Blue/Hopespots” program.
Stephenson also serves on National Geographic’s International Council of Advisors.[10]
References
- ↑ "The Diplomat Bucharest". www.thediplomat.ro. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
- ↑ "An Oil Fortune Bound in Red Tape". The Washington Post. 2005-08-16. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
- ↑ "Lawyer has made his fortune, now he sells barbecue". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
- ↑ "Marine conservation adventure travel". How To Spend It. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
- ↑ "Top 40 Resorts in the Caribbean: Readers' Choice Awards 2015". Condé Nast Traveler. Condé Nast. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
- ↑ Gold, Sarah (2015-02-05). "Petit St. Vincent, a Dot of Green in the Ocean Blue". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
- ↑ "Sony Pictures Classics Buys Toronto Comedy 'Maggie's Plan' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
- ↑ "Largest Mangrove Habitat in St Vincent and the Grenadines to be Restored. - Radio Grenadines". Radio Grenadines. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
- ↑ "Phil Stephenson". Nautilus Live. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
- ↑ "Additional Leadership at National Geographic". National Geographic Society Press Room. Retrieved 2016-01-10.