Patrick Walsh is the founder and chief executive of PW Partners, a value-oriented investment firm. He has a proven track record in the investment management and consumer industries. As a seasoned CEO, he excels in corporate strategy, capital allocation, corporate finance, M&A, hedge funds, investment banking, and Equity. His accomplishments have been featured in renowned publications such as Barron's, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, The New York Times, Restaurant News, and the Los Angeles Times.
Born in San Diego, CA, Patrick Walsh's early life was influenced by his father's career as a Naval Officer and his mother's work as a school teacher. When he was two, the family relocated to New England, and he was raised in Boston, MA. He attended Wesleyan University, where he studied Economics and played Football and Baseball. Following a back injury that ended his athletic career, he transferred to Boston College, graduating with honors in Accountancy.After completing his degree, Patrick earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, passing all three exam levels on his first attempt. He furthered his education by studying under Professor Greenwald at Columbia University's Executive Value Investing Program.
Patrick began his professional journey in 1998 at Prudential Capital Group and Prudential Securities, where he worked as an investment analyst specializing in Commercial Real Estate and publicly traded REITs. He then became Vice President of the Real Estate, Gaming, Lodging, and Leisure Investment Banking Group at Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. Before establishing PW Partners, he was a Partner at a value-oriented Hedge Fund in Chicago.Patrick's entrepreneurial drive has led him to work in various industries beyond Wall Street. He has served on the board of directors for BJ's Restaurants, Del Taco, Famous Dave's of America, and Town Sports International. His strategic insight and business acumen significantly enhanced the performance of these companies. In 2015, Restaurant News recognized him as one of the 50 most powerful people in the restaurant industry.
In 2018, Ernst and Young named Patrick Walsh Entrepreneur of The Year in New York. He has played a key role in several business turnarounds, with Town Sports being a notable example. When he took over management in 2016, the company was on the brink of bankruptcy. He led a remarkable recovery through strategic and operational improvements, increasing the company's stock price from 92 cents to over $14 per share by 2018. EY has honored entrepreneurs like Howard Schultz of Starbucks, Pierre Omidyar of eBay, and Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com since 1986 for their innovative spirit and positive impact on their communities.
Despite his busy career, Patrick finds time for personal interests. He is an avid reader with a passion for literature on various topics. He also enjoys fitness activities, cooking, and traveling.
Patrick Walsh's career and personal interests reflect his dedication, strategic thinking, and diverse talents, showcasing his significant contributions to the investment and consumer industries.
