Ariel Investments Appoints Noted Black Business Executive to Its Board

On the heels of announcing Mellody Hobson as its new new co-CEO and president, Ariel Investments has added yet another black business titan to its team. Leslie “Les” Brun has been appointed to the company’s board of directors.

“Les Brun brings a wealth of expertise and leadership from more than 40 years of investment banking, commercial banking and financial advisory experience,” said Hobson via a press release. “We are confident Ariel will benefit greatly from his background and track record of growing successful companies.” If you are a follower of the business world, Brun should be a known name. Brun has over 40 years’ experience in the financial sector. He is currently the chairman and CEO of Sarr Group, L.L.C., an investment holding company.

Brun sits on the boards of CDK Global; Merck (where he serves as lead director); Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc; and Corning. Previously, he was chairman of the board at ADP.

Other prestigious positions he’s held include: member of the Council on Foreign Relations; chairman of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s S.B.I.C. Advisory Council; trustee for the University at Buffalo Foundation; among others.

“As someone who has received recognition as one of America’s top 100 Corporate Directors by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), Les will help Ariel further elevate our overall standard of excellence in governance. He will be a tremendous asset to our board and we look forward to his future contributions,” stated John W. Rogers Jr., chairman, co-CEO, and chief investment officer at Ariel.

Ariel Investments, founded by Rogers in 1983, is No. 1 on Black Enterprise’s “BE100s”–its annual list of the nation’s largest black businesses in the “asset manager” category. It was the first black money management firm to launch a family of mutual funds, and achieved an investment milestone when 17 major corporations selected its mutual funds for their 401(k) plans. The firm currently has about $13 billion assets under management.