David Solomon
Born 1962 · Age 63
American investment banker and DJ (stage name DJ D-Sol). CEO of Goldman Sachs since October 1, 2018; chairman since January 2019. Long career in high-yield/leveraged finance culminating in top leadership at Goldman. Also a music producer, performer, and founder of Payback Records.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Hartsdale, New York
David Michael Solomon was born in Hartsdale, New York.
Grew up in Scarsdale, NY
Raised in Scarsdale; attended Edgemont Junior-Senior High School and worked part-time at Baskin-Robbins and as a camp counselor in New Hampshire as a youth.
Graduated from Hamilton College (BA)
Earned a Bachelor of Arts degree (political science/government; sometimes cited as economics). Played rugby and chaired Alpha Delta Phi chapter.
Joined Irving Trust
Took a position at Irving Trust which he later described as a 'graduate school at [a] bank.'
Applied to Goldman Sachs and was rejected
After college applied for a two-year analyst position at Goldman Sachs but was rejected, prompting him to join Irving Trust.
Joined Drexel Burnham Lambert
Hired at Drexel Burnham where he worked first as a commercial paper salesman then moved into high-yield (junk) bonds.
Married Mary Elizabeth Coffey
Married Mary Elizabeth Coffey in Bernardsville, New Jersey in 1989; the couple had two daughters and later divorced in early 2018.
Moved to Bear Stearns after Drexel collapse
After Drexel's collapse, Solomon went to Bear Stearns and took charge of the junk bonds/high-yield business there.
Worked on financing major projects including Sheldon Adelson's Venetian
While at Bear Stearns Solomon participated in complex financing for large projects (e.g., Sheldon Adelson's Venetian project), work that later helped recruit him to Goldman.
Led Bear Stearns high-yield/junk bonds business
At Bear Stearns Solomon led the junk bonds division and sold higher-risk bonds; became a senior manager over time.
Joined Goldman Sachs as partner
Recruited from Bear Stearns in 1999 to join Goldman's leveraged finance team as a partner (aged 37).
Established residence at The San Remo, Manhattan
Has resided in The San Remo on the Upper West Side of Manhattan from 2002 onward; listed that apartment for $24M in May 2016.
Global Head of the Financing Group (approx.)
Served as Global Head of the Financing Group at Goldman (oversaw capital markets and derivative products for corporate clients) prior to later promotion to co-head of investment banking.
Purchased 13,000 sq ft Aspen estate for $4M
Purchased a large estate in Aspen in 2004 for $4 million; later listed it for $36 million in July 2016.
Purchased Aspen estate
Purchased a 13,000-square-foot estate in Aspen, Colorado for $4,000,000.
Joined Hamilton College board of trustees
Became a member of Hamilton College's board of trustees in 2005 (later elected chairman effective July 1, 2021).
Became co-head of Investment Banking Division
Promoted to joint head of Goldman Sachs' Investment Banking Division (position held July 2006 through December 2016).
Led IPO of Lululemon Athletica
Secured Lululemon's initial public offering in July 2007 — famously wore a maroon blazer and sweatpants to a suit-required meeting to 'throw everyone off.'
Declined operational control of Las Vegas Sands
In April 2014 Sheldon Adelson offered Solomon operational control of Las Vegas Sands casinos; Solomon declined because Adelson wouldn't cede day-to-day control.
SEC/IRS filings: base pay and restricted stock (Jan 2015)
SEC and IRS filings indicate Solomon was paid a base salary of $1.85M with restricted stock awards worth about $10M in January 2015.
Joined board of Robin Hood Foundation (by 2016)
Served on the board of directors of the Robin Hood Foundation, a major NYC anti-poverty charity (listed on the foundation's site in 2016).
Ended decade-long tenure as investment banking co-head
After leading the investment banking division (2006–2016) he was credited with professionalizing the division and improving profit margins from ~11% to ~22% with sales up roughly 70%.
Listed Manhattan apartment for $24M
Listed his San Remo apartment for $24 million in May 2016.
Listed Aspen estate for $36M
Listed his Aspen property for $36 million in July 2016.
Named President and Co-Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Following Gary Cohn's departure Solomon was elevated to president and co-COO of Goldman Sachs alongside Harvey Schwartz (December 2016).
Public profile rises — NYT and media attention
Media attention increased in 2017 including a New York Times profile that publicized his DJ activities; he began offering public career advice to students.
Performed at Electronic Music Awards (Los Angeles)
Performed as DJ D-Sol at the Electronic Music Awards in Los Angeles in 2017.
Public advice on careers (Oct 2017 interviews)
Gave advice in interviews: know how to write/speak publicly, know accounting, and keep sight of passions.
Personal/professional reputational event: assistant's indictment and suicide
The arrest, indictment, and later suicide (Oct 9, 2018) of the assistant drew wide press coverage and personal scrutiny early in Solomon's CEO tenure.
Started using DJ moniker 'DJ D-Sol' publicly
Although he had been DJing privately for years, media coverage in 2017–2018 popularized his DJ identity and he increased public performances and releases thereafter.
Received $11.85M compensation (Jan 2018)
Reportedly received an $11.85 million total compensation package in January 2018.
Goldman shares holding valued at ~$58M (Jan 2018)
Estimated to hold 224,030 Goldman Sachs shares (0.059%) valued at roughly $58 million in January 2018.
Discovery of wine theft and arrest of assistant
In January 2018 Solomon discovered about 500 bottles missing from his rare wine collection; assistant Nicolas DeMeyer was arrested and later indicted for theft valued at ~$1.2M.
Harvey Schwartz resigns; Solomon becomes clear heir
On March 12, 2018 Goldman announced Harvey Schwartz's resignation, leaving Solomon as second-in-command and informal heir apparent to CEO Lloyd Blankfein.
Performed remix of 'Pink Panther Theme' at charity (Hamilton College)
Performed a remix of 'The Pink Panther Theme' at an opioid-epidemic charity event hosted by Hamilton College on April 9, 2018.
Released cover 'Don't Stop' (Fleetwood Mac cover)
Released an EDM cover of Fleetwood Mac's 'Don't Stop' in June 2018 (played on Sirius XM earlier in January).
Divorce from Mary Elizabeth Solomon (early 2018)
Divorced his wife Mary Elizabeth Solomon; the divorce occurred in early 2018 after their 1989 marriage.
Assumed role as CEO of Goldman Sachs
Formally succeeded Lloyd Blankfein as Chief Executive Officer on October 1, 2018.
Personal assistant charged then commits suicide
Nicolas DeMeyer, Solomon's personal assistant and accused of stealing ~500 bottles of rare wine, committed suicide on October 9, 2018 after being indicted. The alleged theft was valued at $1.2M.
Founded Payback Records
Founded Payback Records in December 2018 in partnership with Big Beat/Atlantic Records; proceeds directed to charitable causes (addiction relief, hunger relief, COVID-19 relief).
Released multiple singles and increased streaming reach
Released original tracks and remixes in 2019 (e.g., 'Feel Alive', 'Rescue Me'); debut single garnered ~8 million listens and his Spotify profile reached roughly 550,000 monthly listeners (figures reported around 2018–2019).
Compensation for 2018/2019 reported (~$27.5M for 2019)
Reportedly received a $27.5 million compensation package for 2019 (reported in various filings/news).
Cameo appearance on Showtime series 'Billions'
Appeared as himself in a cameo on the TV series Billions in 2020.
Goldman settles 1MDB-related investigations (Oct 2020) — later impacts pay
Goldman paid nearly $3.2 billion in Oct 2020 to settle 1MDB investigations; later the bank reduced Solomon's 2020 pay due to the scandal.
Performed at Sports Illustrated Super Bowl Event
Performed as DJ D-Sol at a 2020 Sports Illustrated Super Bowl event in Miami (shared billing with Marshmello and Black Eyed Peas).
Granted compensation package (~$27.5M) in March 2020
In March 2020 Solomon was granted approximately $27.5M in total compensation: $2M base salary, $7.65M cash bonus, and $17.85M in long-term incentives.
Opening act for Chainsmokers at 'Safe & Sound' charity (investigated)
Opened the 'Safe & Sound' charity concert on July 25, 2020; event was later investigated by NY health authorities for social distancing violations; Goldman said Solomon left early.
'Someone Like You' peaks #4 on Billboard Dance Club Chart
His single 'Someone Like You' reached #4 on the Billboard Dance Club Chart in November 2020.
Named Chairman of Goldman Sachs board (since Jan 2019 listed; re-confirmed)
Solomon has been chairman since January 2019; he continued in the role into 2021 and beyond. (Chairmanship began Jan 2019 upon Blankfein's retirement.)
Bank announces reduction of Solomon's 2020 pay (pay cut)
In 2021 Goldman announced a reduction of Solomon's 2020 pay by roughly 39.6% tied to the bank's role in the 1MDB matter; press reports estimated Solomon's pay reduction around $10M.
Elected chairman of Hamilton College board of trustees
Elected to serve as chairman of the Hamilton College board of trustees starting July 1, 2021. He had served on the board since 2005.
DJS at BottleRock Napa Valley (silent disco)
Performed at BottleRock's silent disco in May 2022; proceeds reportedly donated to charity.
Performed at Lollapalooza (July 2022)
Performed at the 2022 Lollapalooza music festival; proceeds from appearances were donated to charity.
Spoke at Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit (Hong Kong)
Spoke at the November 2022 Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit; participation was controversial with criticism from democracy advocates and some U.S. lawmakers.
Reported net worth estimate (~$58M as of 2022 source)
A 2024 biographical piece (mabumbe.com) reported an estimated net worth of approximately $58 million as of 2022.
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