products.
Marc James. Managing Director, Global Rates High-Grade Derivative Sales. Wachovia Securities. New York, NY Age: 45. Bottom Line: James has spearheaded several blockbuster deals during his career, including the structuring of the then-largest equity derivative-linked loan for one of the largest holders of Microsoft (a $2.8 billion transaction) and executing the hedging program for the $4.5 billion acquisition of ABC-Capital Cities by Disney. James was also on the team that created Ford Motor Co.’s Global Landmark Securities, the inaugural sale of which was an $8.6 billion debt transaction, th
e largest corporate debt offering ever at the ti
me.
Melissa James. Managing Director, Relationship LendingBusiness, Loan Products Group. Morgan Stanley. New York, NYAge: 41. Bottom Line: James manages the origination of more than $ 30 billion in loan commitments. She is responsible for determining whether or not to extend millions of dollars in capital to clients as well as structuring those transactions. Her international capital markets experience includes a $1.8 billion acquisition for the Port Authority of Singapore. That deal was arranged earlier this year to finance the authority’s $4.4 billion acquisition of a 20% stake in Hutchinson Whampoa’s ports business, Morgan Stanley’s first loan to Singapore. James also completed an intricate debt-for-equity swap in connection with a $4 billion IPO for Agere Systems, the largest U.S. tech IPO in history.
Edward Johnson Jr. COO Advent Capital Management L.L.C. New York, NYAge: 50. Bottom Line: Johnson began his career on Wall Street at Salomon Brothers. He then joined Merrill Lynch, where he served as managing director and global product coordinator for the mortgage and securitized real estate business and went on to become a first vice president in Merrill’s Managed Solutions Group. As COO of ACM, Johnson is involved in all aspects of the business and has been instrumental in helping build up the firm’s convertible and high-yield securities businesses. ACM manages close to $3 billion for several multinational companies, foundations, endowments, and public pension plans.
Terry Jones. Founder/General Partner. SYNCOM Management Co. Inc./ Syncom II, Syncom III, Syncom IV. Silver Spring, MD. Age: 60. Bottom Line: Applying decades of experience and an indomitable entrepreneurial spirit, this financier has helped build a telecommunications and media private-equity giant with capital in excess of $225 million. His efforts have helped facilitate the introduction of cable television to underserved markets. Through his stewardship of SYNCOM, he has provided critical financing for companies such as media powerhouse Radio One Inc. (No. 12 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $371 million in sales).
Vernon E. Jordan Jr. Senior Managing Director Lazard Fréres & Co. L.L.C. New York, NY Age: 71. Bottom Line: Since 2000, Jordan has helped Lazard achieve record heights. Annual operating revenues in 2005 increased 22% over 2004, while M&A revenues increased by 40%. Jordan was also a senior executive partner with the law firm Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld L.L.P. from 1982 to 1999, where he remains as senior counsel. The longtime friend of former President Bill Clinton sits on several boards including American Express Co.,