Lowell Milken's business acumen is as impressive as his philanthropic endeavors. As a visionary leader, he has successfully merged his business strategies with his passion for social impact. Lowell's business career exemplifies innovation, strategic thinking, and a commitment to excellence. He has been instrumental in the success of various ventures, using his ability to drive growth and create value.
A deep understanding of market dynamics and a forward-thinking mindset characterize Lowell Milken's approach to business. He believes in the power of innovation and creativity, constantly seeking new ways to solve problems and create opportunities exemplified in ventures like Knowledge Universe’s KinderCare and Stride Inc. (formerly K-12 Inc.). Knowledge Universe built KinderCare into the world's most prominent early childhood company, providing innovative educational programs and solutions for families and children ages six months to 6 years, reflecting Lowell's dedication to providing children with a solid academic foundation from the very start.
Stride Inc., which was revolutionary from its start and at the forefront of the online education paradigm shift that has since become part of the mainstream, offers online education programs that bring high-quality learning experiences to students worldwide. This reflects Lowell's commitment to using technology to improve education.
Lowell Milken's business achievements testify to his ability to think big and act decisively. His leadership style is collaborative, empowering those around him to strive for excellence and push the boundaries of what is possible. Lowell's commitment to making a positive impact is unwavering, whether in business or philanthropy. His legacy is visionary leadership, innovative thinking, and a deep commitment to unleashing human potential toward creating a better world for future generations.
Business Highlights
1966
First Investment Partnership
Established an investment partnership with his brother Michael, to invest in equities in the public markets.
1968-69
Wells Fargo Bank
Hired by Wells Fargo Bank to work on building and implementing a database to inventory personal property throughout their branches in California.
1970 - present
Investments in High Yield Debt Securities
Established investment partnerships with his brother Michael, to invest in high-yield debt securities.
1970
Price Waterhouse
Hired by Price Waterhouse for the summer of 1970 in the tax department; working on individual and partnership tax matters, and assisting managing partner in authoring a tax article relating to issues of controlled group of corporations.
1971-73
Investpact, L.P.
Established and managed an investment limited partnership with funds raised from a small group of wealthy business people in Southern California. Investpact realized outstanding rates of returns. In 1973 Lowell dispands Investpact.L.P. to focus solely on his investment partnerships with his brother Michael.
1973-78
Irell & Manella
After graduating UCLA School of Law, Lowell joined the Investpact law firm, Irell & Manella where he focused on corporate, tax, securities and real estate law. This early professional experience laid a strong foundation for Lowell's subsequent ventures in business and philanthropy.
1974-78
Representation of Members of Drexel’s High Yield Bond Department
Lowell serves as council on various securities, business, and real estate transactions for members of Drexel’s High Yield Bond Department,
1978-89
Drexel Burnham Lambert HYBD
Lowell follows his passion for business; leaving the practice of law to join his brother Michael in the High Yield Bond Department at Drexel Burnham Lambert.
1979
Otter Creek Associates
Formed general partnership with members of HYBD to purchase securities. Over the next decade, the partnership returned more than 80 times invested capital.
1979 - present
Milken Family Office
Established a family office; hiring and managing legal and financial groups to support a wide range of investments. Over the next five decades, Lowell and Michael would invest in diverse asset classes including public and private securities, venture capital, businesses and real estate.
1981-89
Investment Partnerships
Played a leading role in the forming and mangeing of investment entities with members from HYBD, corporate finance, and Drexel to invest in leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, bank debt, and domestic and international securities.
1986-1990
Government Investigation
US government commenced an intensive and long investigation into possible securities law violations, with respect to the firm of Drexel Burnham Lambert and Michael Milken. Eventually, the prosecutor decides to target Lowell.
1990
Michael Milken Plea Resolution
After four years of unrelenting press leaks and other unconventional pressure tactics, including the unfair targeting of Lowell as a co-conspirator, Michael Milken agreed to resolve all matters by pleading to certain counts, which had never before, nor have since, been prosecuted as crimes. Lowell had no involvement in any of the activities that were the subject of the plea. He was absolved of all assertions of any improprieties. Michael Milken was subsequently pardoned.
1991 - 2021
Industrial Properties
Established a partnership to develop industrial properties in Phoenix and Las Vegas. Over the following three decades, this partnership would develop millions of square feet of properties.
1995 - present
Heron International
Lead a group of investors in acquiring a controlling interest in Heron International, a European leader in property development and investment. As Chairman and a major shareholder, Lowell oversees the company's developments and investments.
1995 - present
Knowledge Universe
Together with Michael Milken and Larry Ellison, established Knowledge Universe, a worldwide enterprise focused on education from early childhood through post-retirement. The entity is capitalized with $1 billion. Over the ensuing decade, the company becomes one of the largest education companies in the world with businesses ranging from early childhood to higher education to educational products and work/home services. At its peak operations, Knowledge Universe employed over 40,000 education professionals worldwide.
1996 - present
Chairman and CEO, Knowledge Universe Education
Served as Chairman and CEO of Knowledge Universe Education (KUE), helping it become the largest early childhood education business in the world, and expand its reach into online curricula and virtual charter schools, educational products, online-post secondary schools, testing and assessment mechanisms, professional development instruments, technology certifications and international K-12 schools.
1997
Children's Discovery Centers
KUE acquires Children Discovery Centers (CDC), the sixth largest for-profit early childhood education company in the U.S.
1992
K-12 Inc.
Presided over KUE's investment into K-12 online learning with the establishment of K-12 Inc. K-12 Inc. offers a comprehensive online curriculum as its core of what becomes a new public education alternative -- virtual charter schools.
2003
Children's World and Champions
KUE acquires the second largest for-profit early childhood education company and the largest for-profit provider of after-school programs from Aramark.
2005
Kindercare
KUE acquires the largest for-profit early childhood education company in the U.S. KUE integrates Kindercare with KUE's existing early childhood education operations.
2007
K-12 Inc. / Stride Inc.
K-12 Inc. goes public on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2020, K-12 Inc. becomes Stride Inc.
2011
Knowledge Learning Opco / Knowledge Learning Propco
KUE divides its early childhood education business into two parts: Opco, which houses the early childhood center operating business, and Propco, which owns the underlying real property of more than 750 centers leased to Opco.
2015
Sale of Opco by KUE
KUE sells Opco, the largest for-profit early childhood education company in the U.S. to the Swiss Partners Group.
2015 - Present
Real Estate in Reno, Nevada
Initiated a bold strategic initiative to acquire real estate in Reno, Nevada, which under Lowell's direct leadership has since produced real estate developments ranging from industrial and storage to multi-family and retail.
2020 - present
National Realty Trust
Propco becomes a private real estate investment trust and is named National Realty Trust, with Lowell serving as Chairman. National Realty Trust raises additional equity from new investors.
2021
Sale of Industrial Properties Portfolio
Sale of the industrial property portfolio in Phoenix and Las Vegas that has been developed and operated over the past three decades.
2023 - present
New Industrial Development
Lowell leads team in completion of 3 million square feet of new industrial developments with an additional 6 million square feet currently in the planning stages.