John Ettelson
John R. Ettelson is the president and chief executive officer of William Blair. Before being named president in 2003 and CEO in 2004, Mr. Ettelson held various leadership positions within the firm, including head of mergers and acquisitions, chief financial officer, and chief operating officer.
He joined the firm in 1984 as an associate in the Corporate Finance Department and became a partner in 1989. He has been the lead banker on many of the firm’s largest transactions. Mr. Ettelson is chairman of the board of trustees of Lincoln Park Zoo and the immediate past chairman of The Economic Club of Chicago. He serves on the board and the executive committee of The Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Francis Parker School. He is also chairman of the investment committee for both organizations. Mr. Ettelson is on the board of The Executives’ Club of Chicago and is a member of The Commercial Club of Chicago where he serves on the Civic Committee.
Mr. Ettelson received his Sc.B. from Brown University in 1980 and his J.D. and M.B.A. from the University of Chicago in 1984.