[ by Melanie Gretchen ]

Goldman Sachs alum Jon Winkelried has a new home at Thrive Capital, and a new career path as a "strategic adviser."  Winkelried's first career path ran 26 years - all at Goldman Sachs - with his final role as the role of co-president of the NYC-based investment firm.  Now, as he begins his second career path, Mr. Winkelried looks ahead to serving as strategic adviser to a 3-year-old venture capital firm.  Thrive has raised $200 million since its inception and plans to expand its business.  Jon Winkelried is likely to be one of Thrive's most valuable acquisitions. 

At Goldman, Mr. Winkelried started as a summer intern in the trading department.  It was his last summer before graduating from University of Chicago's MBA program in 1982.  Over the next 26 years at Goldman Sachs, Mr. Winkelried moved to the trading floor, next he headed up bond syndication, and then served as co-head of the FICC (fixed-income, currency, and commodities) - alongside Lloyd Blankfein. 

When Mr. Blankfein became CEO in 2006, Mr. Winkelried was appointed co-president alongside Gary Cohn. At that point Winkelried was one of Goldman’s top bankers and one of the best-paid executives on Wall Street.

"Jon has been tremendously successful in his career because of his judgment and integrity.  We feel incredibly grateful to have him intimately involved in Thrive as we build out the firm over the next few years." --

A New Start at Thrive.  Joshua Kushner, Thrive’s founder, is probably more excited about bringing in Jon Winkelried than Jon Winkelried feels about joining Thrive.  But it's a good bet the enthusiasm is running high in both individuals.

The firm itself staked its claim on the industry with early investments in hot Internet start-ups - e.g., Instagram, Spotify, and the eyewear maker Warby Parker.  Since then, it has broadened its focus to potential opportunities ranging from health care to financial services to education.

Thrive scooped up Mr. Winkelried when he and Mr. Kushner, who is the son of the real estate magnate Charles Kushner and brother of newspaper publisher Jared Kushner, met through mutual friends about a year ago.  Informal advice from the onetime investment banker turned into weekly office visits including advice on both the firm’s growth and its broader strategy.  In his new position, Mr. Winkfelried is Thrive's most prominent adviser yet for Thrive, which also employs Jared Weinstein, a former White House official under George W. Bush.

"The team at Thrive Capital has built something very impressive in a short period of time and they really understand how technology is impacting every single industry.  I am excited to work with them as they continue to grow Thrive." -- Mr. Winkelried, in a statement.

For further details, go to [Dealbook, 4/2413] and [CNN, 1/26/10].