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Photo by: JOE VERICKER
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Scott Milleisen concedes that he might not boast the most glamorous personal story in a field of executives such as this. On a typical day, he gets up at 5 a.m. to work out, he’s in the office by 7:30 a.m., and he’s home about 121⁄2 hours later to tuck in his twin boys.
A good year is when he closes more than three loans. His athletic claim to fame is being a stud football player from a Division III school in upstate New York.
But when you run sports finance at one of the biggest banks in the world, none of that really matters. You are a rock star to owners and team finance executives around the country because you can open the purse strings.
In 15 years at JPMorgan Chase, Milleisen has arranged deals worth $2.5 billion. He helps set the market for sports loan rates and terms.
“We have the ability to mold and lead the market,” Milleisen said. That statement, while bold, also rings true, given the size and power of the bank. In addition, so few banks specialize in sports. JPMorgan, through Milleisen, really plays a role in dictating the entire market.
Milleisen most recently has led loans to the new owners of the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Browns and has refinanced complicated debt for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
But what is his biggest challenge? Is it navigating the glitzy, star-struck world of professional sports and its enlarged egos? Coming through with bank loans in the nick of time to save headline sports sales?
Not even close.
“The work-life challenge is my challenge,” he said. “Making family a priority.”
And for Milleisen, with his understated personal story, that sounds about right.
— Daniel Kaplan
 Age: 37
Title: Managing director
 COMPANY: JPMorgan Chase & Co.
EDUCATION: B.A., economics, Hamilton College
FAMILY: Wife, Amanda; children Jack (5), Ethan (5) and Kyle (3 months)
CAREER: At JPMorgan Chase since 1997
FIRST JOB: Credit analyst at JPMorgan Chase
HOW DO YOU STRIKE A WORK-LIFE BALANCE?: Start my work day early and budget time in the evenings for family. Also make it a priority to take my allocated vacation time.
BEST BUSINESS ADVICE RECEIVED: Be a good listener.
WORST ADVICE RECEIVED: That pursuing a career financing sports teams would be a dead end.
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FAVORITE IPAD APPS: J.P. Morgan Mobile, Wall Street Journal, New York Times
PERSONALITY, IN A TWEET: Balanced, family oriented, hardworking professional. Thoughtful and collaborative. A leader with a passion for sports and finance.
FARTHEST TRAVELED FROM U.S.: Italy
PET PEEVE: Lack of organization
GUILTY PLEASURE: Cookie dough ice cream
FAVORITE MOVIE LINE: “All right, now, I don’t want them to gain another yard! You blitz … all … night! If they cross the line of scrimmage, I’m gonna take every last one of you out! You make sure they remember, forever, the night they played the Titans!” (“Remember the Titans”) |
