Type: Public
On the web: http://www.blackstone.com
Employees: 1,440
Employee growth: 11.2%

Throw a rock and you're bound to hit a Blackstone investment. The Blackstone Group is one of the largest private equity firms and alternative asset managers in the world, with more than $128 billion in assets under management and such notable holdings as Hilton Worldwide, Equity Office Properties Trust, SeaWorld, and The Weather Channel. The company manages investment vehicles including private equity funds, funds of hedge funds, and real estate funds. It also provides mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, and other financial advisory services to corporate clients. Blackstone's clients include public and corporate pensions, financial institutions, individuals, and others.

Key numbers for fiscal year ending December, 2010:
Sales: $3,119.3M
One year growth: 75.9%
Net income: ($370.0)M

Officers:
Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder: Stephen A. Schwarzman
President, COO, and Director: Hamilton E. (Tony) James
Senior Managing Director and Head, Public Markets: Joan Solotar

Competitors:
Bain Capital
The Carlyle Group
KKR

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