Ronald Stephen Baron (born 1943) (also known as Ron Baron) is an American mutual fund manager and investor. He is the founder of Baron Capital, an investment management firm. The New York City based firm, manages the Baron Funds, and has approximately $26 billion in assets under management.
Early life and education
Baron grew up in a Jewish family in Asbury Park, New Jersey, one of two children of Morton Baron, an engineer, and his wife Marian. Baron invested $1,000, saved from shoveling snow, waiting tables, working as a life guard, and selling ice cream, and turned it into $4,000 by investing in stocks, prompting cohorts to call him “Count”, a nickname which still sticks.
He studied chemistry at Bucknell University and attended George Washington University Law School at night on scholarship. His first job out of school was with the United States Patent Office.
Career
Baron worked for several brokerage firms from 1970 to 1982. During this time, he developed a reputation for investing in small, unloved companies.
Baron Capital Management
He founded Baron Capital Management in 1982. Baron Capital is well known for its long-term strategy and investment outlook. The firm will typically hold a stock for 4–5 years, sometimes as many as 10–15 years. The firm prefers to invest in mega-trends driven by broad societal and demographic trends, including baby boomer demands for healthcare – trends where demand is expected to remain steady for years, or even decades. The firm seeks to invest in companies that have strong management teams, investing in people not assets. They look for companies that have strong growth opportunities, are appropriately financed, have competitive advantages, and are a leader in their field. Baron Capital places a unique focus on the strength of the management teams of the companies they invest in, looking for credible, dependable, trustworthy leadership. In 2011, Baron Capital had approximately $19.5 billion in assets under management. In an effort to thank investors, Baron hosts an annual shareholder meeting which typically features rock acts such as Elton John, the Beach Boys, and Lionel Richie. In 2012, Baron Capital purchased 24 per cent of the stock of the Manchester United Football Club that was offered on the New York Stock Exchange by the Glazer family. Baron’s investment amounts to a 2.5% ownership interest in the club as only 10% of the team’s stock was floated.
| Ron Baron | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1943 (age 73–74) |
| Residence | New York, New York |
| Nationality | United States |
| Education | Bucknell University George Washington University |
| Net worth |  US $ 2.0 billion (March 2014) |
| Spouse(s) | Judy Baron |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Marian Baron Morton Baron |
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