Michael Chu

James Michael Chu (born July 5,1958) is an American financial businessman. He has been the private equity manager and co-chief executive officer (CEO) of L Catterton since 1989.

Early life Chu graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine in 1980, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology and economics with highest honours.

Career Chu held various senior financial management positions with The First Pacific Company, a Hong Kong publicly listed investment and management company which he joined in early 1983. In May 2018, his firm was listed as the 31st largest private equity firm in the world, based on capital raised over the prior five years. In June 2022, L Catterton were ranked 30th in Private Equity International's 2022 PEI 300 ranking.

Other memberships and philanthropy Chu is a member of the Committee of 100 (a Chinese-American leadership and philanthropic organization).

In 2016, Chu and his wife made a $10 million gift to Bates College, supporting the creation of a professorship and other initiatives at the institution.

Personal life Chu is married to Elizabeth Kalperis Chu. They met while studying at Bates College. Their oldest son, Christopher, is a 2012 graduate of the college.