Mike Sommers Named President and CEO of Private Equity Growth Capital Council
WASHINGTON – The Private Equity Growth Capital Council’s (PEGCC) Executive Committee has named Mike Sommers the trade association’s new President and CEO. Sommers, 40, previously served as…
WASHINGTON – The Private Equity Growth Capital Council’s (PEGCC) Executive Committee has named Mike Sommers the trade association’s new President and CEO. Sommers, 40, previously served as Chief of Staff to former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner. He replaces Steve Judge, who stepped down from the PEGCC’s top role last August.
Ken Mehlman, PEGCC Chairman of the Board and Member and Global Head of Public Affairs at the global investment firm KKR, praised Sommers as a respected leader with policy expertise.
“We are thrilled that Mike has agreed to lead the PEGCC,” said Mehlman. “His deep understanding of the policy process, bipartisan respect, management experience and creative approach will serve the PEGCC and our members well. We look forward to his leadership of the Council.”
Sommers has been at the center of every major policy debate in the last decade and successfully negotiated bipartisan compromises on landmark legislation.
“I have great respect for the private equity and growth capital investment industry, and I’m impressed by the PEGCC as an organization,” said Sommers. “The Council has brought this industry together to effectively engage with policymakers as they work for stronger economic growth, retirement security and other policy objectives. We will continue to do so. Our member firms can be assured that they will have the support they need in Washington to create value and move our economy forward.”
Sommers will join the PEGCC after a long tenure in the former Speaker’s office. Prior to being named Chief of Staff to Speaker Boehner, he served Boehner in other capacities, including Deputy Chief of Staff, Policy Director, Legislative Director and Press Secretary.
During his time on Capitol Hill, Sommers earned the respect of leading Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle.
“Mike is one of the best people I’ve ever come across in public service,” said Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul D. Ryan. “Smart, steady and with unquestioned integrity, he’s been a trusted friend for many years. I wish him well in this next chapter of his life.”
“He is not only well-liked on both sides of the aisle and on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, he is one of the most effective, strategic and sincere people I’ve worked with on Capitol Hill,” said U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer. “Mike is incredibly talented both as a manager and as a policy expert, but even more importantly, I have deeply appreciated his integrity and his honesty as we’ve worked together over the years. I know I speak for many of my colleagues when I congratulate and wish Mike the very best as he takes on this new role.”
Sommers also served as Special Assistant to President George W. Bush at the National Economic Council at the White House. In this role, Sommers advised the President on agriculture, trade and food policy.
Sommers has been profiled in Politico, The Hill and National Journal. In 2005, he was selected to head of the Republican Chiefs of Staff association.
A native of Naperville, Illinois, Sommers is a graduate of the honors program at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Mike and his wife Jill have three children and live in Alexandria, Virginia.
Sommers will begin as President and CEO of the PEGCC in early February.
About the Private Equity Growth Capital Council
The Private Equity Growth Capital Council (PEGCC) is an advocacy, communications, member services, research organization established to develop, analyze and distribute information about the private equity and growth capital investment industry and its contributions to the national and global economy. The members of the PEGCC consist of the world’s leading private equity and growth capital firms united by their commitment to growing and strengthening the businesses in which they invest. More information about the PEGCC can be found at www.pegcc.org.
