Bradley S. Jacobs
Bradley “Brad” Jacobs (born August 3, 1956 in Providence, Rhode Island) is an American businessman. He is the chairman and chief executive officer of XPO Logistics and managing director of Jacobs Private Equity LLC. He is best known for having led rapid industry consolidations in waste management and equipment rental in North America, initiating in 1989 and 1997, respectively, and in global transportation and logistics since 2011.
Early life and education
Brad Jacobs was born in Providence, Rhode Island. His father was a jewelry importer. He attended Northfield Mount Hermon School, Bennington College and Brown University in the 1970s, but dropped out to broker oil contracts.
Career
Amerex Oil Associates, Inc.
In 1979, at the age of 23, Jacobs co-founded Amerex Oil Associates Inc., a New Jersey-based oil brokerage firm, and served as its CEO until the firm was sold in 1983.
Hamilton Resources (UK) Ltd.
In 1984, Jacobs went to England and founded Hamilton Resources (UK) Ltd., an oil trading company, using the bulk of his savings and a $1 billion line of credit from Banque Paribas. As chairman and chief operating officer, he grew the company to approximately $1 billion in annual revenue. He quit the business in 1988 and moved back to the United States.