Patrick Walsh is a distinguished entrepreneur and CEO with a strong foundation in investment management, particularly in the restaurant industry. He founded the value-oriented investment firm PW Partners in 2012 in Palm Beach County, Florida. This firm specializes in elevating the potential of small to mid-cap companies through strategic, operational improvements and intelligent capital management.

 

As the driving force behind PW Partners, he has established a solid track record of success, evidenced by extensive features in major publications such as Barron's, Forbes, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. His professional network includes associations with prestigious brands like TMPL, Palm Beach Sports Club, and Town Sports International, as well as the renowned barbecue chain Famous Dave's of America. Outside of his professional arena, he has a passion for culinary arts, fitness, literature, and exploring new places.

 

Current Roles & Duties

 

PW Partners

 

At the helm of PW Partners, based in Jupiter, Florida, he focuses on maximizing long-term value for his portfolio companies. Since its inception, his firm has been lauded for its strategic foresight and deep industry insight. Overseeing the company's operations, he is actively involved in capital allocation, corporate finance, and strategic planning, with a particular emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, hedge funds, investment banking, and equities. His leadership earned him the title of Entrepreneur Of The Year by Ernst & Young in 2018.

 

Empire Holdings and Investments

 

In addition to his role at PW Partners, he also manages Empire Holdings and Investments, a diverse holding company situated in Palm Beach County. Joining Empire in 2020, he brought his extensive expertise to further the company's mission of long-term value creation across a wide range of industries. Under his leadership, the company invests flexibly and strategically to ensure sustainable growth.

 

Career History

 

He embarked on his career in 1998 as an investment analyst at Prudential Capital Group and Prudential Securities, specializing in commercial real estate and publicly traded REITs. His journey took him to Deutsche Bank in 2004, where he excelled as vice president of investment banking. His tenure there was marked by significant growth before he moved to a prominent hedge fund in Illinois, focusing on long-short equity strategies. Eventually, he founded PW Partners after a successful stint as a managing partner at PWK Partners in Chicago.

 

Academic Background

 

His academic journey began at Wesleyan University, where he studied economics and excelled as a two-sport athlete in baseball and football. Following a sports-related injury, he transferred to Boston College, where he completed his studies with honors in accountancy. Furthering his education, he achieved a Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He participated in the Executive Value Investing Program at Columbia University's Graduate School of Business, studying under the renowned economist Bruce Greenwald.

 

Associations & Memberships

 

Throughout his career, he has maintained significant involvement in the business community, holding board positions at companies like BJ's Restaurants, Inc., and serving as the chairman of Town Sports International. He has been recognized as a critical influencer in the restaurant industry, and he was featured in Nation's Restaurant News's 2015 Power List as one of the most influential people in the sector.

 

Personal Life & Interests

 

Originally from San Diego, California, and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, his upbringing was shaped by a school teacher's mother and a naval officer's father. Today, he resides in Jupiter, Florida, a place noted for its stunning beaches and traditional Old Florida charm. His interests remain diverse, encompassing fitness, cooking, traveling, and a lifelong dedication to literature.

 

Patrick Walsh's career is a testament to his expertise in investment and business management. His strategic approach and dedicated leadership continue to influence the industries he is part of, marking him as a significant figure in both the business and local communities of Florida.