Bio

George Ackert is a senior managing director in the firm’s strategic advisory business. Mr. Ackert is an internationally recognized advisor to companies in the transportation and infrastructure space, as well as leasing/rental and business services. At Evercore, Mr. Ackert’s advisory assignments have included advising Burlington Northern Santa Fe on its $44 billion sale to Berkshire Hathaway; advising AMR on the strategic alternatives for American Eagle, the $500 million investment in PAL (Philippines Airlines), the acquisition of LINC by Universal Truckload, the sale of RMI by Carlyle to GE Transportation, the sale of 50% of Volaris to a consortium (including Indigo), advising the USPS on its restructuring, advising YRC Worldwide creditors in connection with strategic alternatives; advising The Carlyle Group on its $600 million venture with RPK, and advising AFL on its sale to FedEx Express. Previously, he was the Global Head of Transportation & Infrastructure at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. While at Merrill Lynch, Mr. Ackert also advised on a number of other significant transactions, including: the merger of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines, the sale of the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Corporation to Canadian Pacific Railway; the sale of Pegasus Aviation Finance Company by Oaktree Capital Management to Terra Firma; the SkyWest Airlines acquisition of ASA from Delta Air Lines; the sale of Spirit Airlines; and on private equity transactions for Hertz and PODs. George was also instrumental in the merger/IPO/chapter 11 re-emergence of America West Airlines and US Airways, as well as the full recapitalization of AMERCO (U-Haul). Mr. Ackert began his career as an associate attorney in M&A and structured finance at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. He holds a J.D. with honors from the University of Texas School of Law, an MBA from Baylor University, as well as a B.B.A. with high honors from the University of Texas at Austin.