On this month’s installment of The Buc Stops Here, Head of School Peter G. Curran P’27 ’27 speaks with former Board Chair, honorary Trustee and proud parent of four Blair graduates Doug Kimmelman P’12 ’13 ’15 ’22. As executive chairman and founder of Energy Capital Partners, the largest private owner of power generation capacity in the United States, Mr. Kimmelman shares his career trajectory, habits for healthy living, and how he sustains his passion in his work and life.

During the episode, Mr. Kimmelman talks about the motivation and balance he maintains in managing a busy schedule while prioritizing his health and family. He shares how something as simple as talking baseball, a sport he knows well as a part owner of the Miami Marlins, helped him open doors and build connections, reinforcing how much relationships matter. He also reflects on how becoming vegan or “cheegan,” as his daughter likes to joke, has been truly life-changing. Stressing that one of the most important things one can do in their life is surround themselves with good people, Mr. Kimmelman has felt fortunate that, during his family’s time at Blair, they found some of the best, forming relationships that have stood the test of time.

“Those ties stay very strong because of the quality of the people, the humility of the people, the values and the culture,” Mr. Kimmelman explains. “You just don’t find that in many places.”

In talking with Mr. Curran about his family, Mr. Kimmelman describes the work he is putting in with his children on Lulu’s Place in downtown Los Angeles, an afterschool youth center making sports and education more accessible in honor of his late wife and former Blair Trustee Carol, who touched many lives and leaves behind a legacy of service and deep care for others. 

“In life, I think you have an obligation to leave things better than you found them; it is as simple as that,” he shared, reflecting on the reasons he and Carol remained dedicated to sharing their resources, time and talent with the institutions that have impacted them. “Carol was an educator when I met her, an elementary school teacher, so education has always been a priority of ours and we tried to give kids the tools so that they can make society a better place. It’s an easy thing to support and charity and philanthropy go way beyond writing a check. Rolling up your sleeves and getting involved can be more valuable.”

Blair is certainly fortunate for the Kimmelman family’s support of and leadership over many years as it’s no exaggeration to say that their generosity and vision have touched every aspect of student life at Blair.

To hear more of the conversation, listen to The Buc Stops Here on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.