Oak Tree's 30th Anniversary: Stories from Founding Employees

The Founding of Oak Tree

• 💡 The celebration marks Oak Tree's 30th anniversary, highlighting stories from employees who joined at its inception.
• 🎯 Employees recall being called to the trading desk for an announcement from Howard and Bruce about the formation of Oak Tree.

Early Days and Growth

• 📌 One employee joined in July 1995, just three months after the company's founding, while another was the first IT hire in May 1995.
• 🏢 The initial office was located at 550 South Hope Street in Los Angeles, near the public library.
• 📟 Technology has evolved significantly, with early employees remembering pagers instead of cell phones.

Enduring Culture and Philosophy

• 🌱 The founders were intentional in building the company and hiring specific types of people.
• 🌟 The core philosophy and ideals established in 1995 have remained consistent through market cycles and company growth.
• 🤝 Oak Tree's leadership and culture, characterized by trust, respect, and humility, have been constant.

Building a Firm

• 🛠️ Building a firm from $2 billion to $200 billion in assets involved doing the "little things right," making sound decisions, and consistent hard work.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Employees describe Oak Tree as a family and advise newcomers to get to know the people, emphasizing that it's more than just work.

The Next Generation

• 🚀 The founding five employees started a great company, and with Bob Arman and Todd taking over, the next generation is poised for continued success over the next 30 years.