Wayne Berman is a Senior Managing Director and Head of Global Government Affairs for Blackstone. He manages political and legislative risk for the firm and its portfolio companies, overseeing a global team of political risk specialists.
Before joining Blackstone, Mr. Berman was Vice Chairman of Ogilvy and Mather. Previously, Mr. Berman served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce, appointed by George H.W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Mr. Berman’s political experience includes a variety of positions in nine Presidential campaigns: he served as Chairman of the Rubio for President campaign (2016), Senior Advisor to Romney for President and Romney-Ryan (2012), National Finance Chairman for McCain for President (2008), Senior Advisor to the Bush-Cheney Transition (2001), Vice Presidential Campaign Director for Dole-Kemp (1996), Deputy Director and Executive Producer of the 1992 Republican National Convention, Director of Congressional Relations during the Bush/Quayle Campaign (1988), Deputy Director of the Reagan-Bush Transition Team (1981), and staff of Bush for President and Reagan-Bush campaigns (1980).
In addition, Mr. Berman has had an extensive career in the insurance brokerage business. He was Senior Advisor to AON; Vice Chairman of Jardine Lloyd Thompson, and Co-Founder of Lane McVicker, a U.S.-based personal property broker.
Berman is currently a member of the Ed Broking Board of Directors, a London-based wholesale insurance broker; he is on the board of directors of several Blackstone portfolio companies. He is also a member of the board of directors of Ports America, the largest operator of port facilities in North America.
Mr. Berman received a BA from the University of Buffalo.