Managing Partner
Brentwood Associates Private Equity

Bill Barnum is the managing partner of Brentwood Associates Private Equity, which he cofounded in 1984.

Brentwood is a Los Angeles–based private-equity investment firm that specializes in growth- oriented investing, purchasing controlling interests in middle-market consumer product and service companies. Brentwood’s focus areas for new investments include branded consumer products, direct marketing, action sports, specialty retail, and education. Prior to cofounding Brentwood, he worked in corporate finance at Morgan Stanley.

In 1981, Mr. Barnum received an mba from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he was an Arjay Miller Scholar, and a jd from Stanford Law School, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif. He also received a ba from Stanford University in 1976.

Presently, he serves as a director of the Teaching Company, Zumiez (NASDAQ:ZUMZ), and Quiksilver Inc. (NYSE:ZQK), as well as several other Brentwood portfolio companies. He is an emeritus trustee of Stanford University. He also is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council of Stanford Law School and the Task Force on Undergraduate Education. He is a recipient of the Stanford Medal in 2012. He serves on the board of trustees of Harvard-Westlake School and USA Volleyball.

Mr. Barnum resides in Pacific Palisades, California, with his wife, Donnalisa Parks (Stanford BA ’81). They have three children.