About Drew Doscher
Drew Doscher is a finance professional with over 30 years of experience on Wall Street. He is known for his expertise in distressed debt and the credit market. Drew has worked with top firms such as Lehman Brothers, UBS, Barclays, and Jefferies. He has helped smaller companies grow into successful businesses, showing his skill in turning challenges into opportunities.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Drew Doscher was born and raised in Stuyvesant Town, New York, and initially thought he would work in law enforcement. However, after graduating from the College of Holy Cross in 1991, he accidentally entered the financial world. His first job was in the back office of a financial firm, but it didn’t take long for him to move to the trading floor.
In his early years, Drew worked for Oppenheimer & Co., where he was trained by Jon Bauer, a well-known Wall Street figure who taught him about the distressed bond and loan markets. In 1995, Drew joined Lehman Brothers, one of the top firms on Wall Street. He worked with Tom Bernard, a leader famous for his tough business approach.
Stepping up in the Industry
Drew’s next big move came in 2001 when he joined UBS, a global financial company. At UBS, Drew was tasked with building a global distressed trading business, something the company had not previously done in the U.S. and Europe. He reported directly to Robert Wolf, a senior executive at the company, and managed to position UBS as a star in the distressed markets.
Strengthening Barclays’ Market Position
After leaving UBS, Drew took a short break before joining Barclays in 2006, where he worked under Bob Diamond. As a Managing Director at Barclays, Drew worked on developing a global distressed debt business in both the U.S. and Europe.
Transforming Seaport Group
Following the financial crisis in 2008, many banks changed their business strategies and shifted away from proprietary trading. In 2009, Drew saw an opportunity to work with Seaport Group. At that time, Seaport was a much smaller firm with only 40 employees.
Drew contributed to transforming it into Seaport Global, a full-service financial company. He helped expand the business into Europe and grew the team to over 100 people. Under Drew’s leadership, the firm’s revenue increased from under $25 million to $125 million. Even in challenging years, revenues never dropped below $88 million. Drew was personally responsible for over 20% of the firm’s revenue.
Restoring Trust at Jefferies
His success at Seaport caught the attention of larger firms, including Jefferies, which was going through a tough time after a scandal. Executives Bill Jennings and Rich Handler asked Drew to help rebuild its reputation and business. Drew accepted the challenge, built a new team, and restructured operations. When management later proposed downsizing his department, Drew made a bold decision — he offered his resignation to protect his team.
Building Credit Businesses at BTIG and StoneX
In 2017, Drew joined BTIG, a well-known equity firm. Although BTIG had never worked in the credit market before, Drew was responsible for building a credit business from the ground up. He succeeded in expanding the business to Europe and making BTIG a strong player in the credit markets.
Drew’s next success came at StoneX, a firm mostly known for its work with commodities. He used his skills to build a credible credit business for StoneX and helped the firm expand into new markets.
Handling Major Financial Challenges
Over the years, Drew Doscher has faced some of the toughest financial situations. He has worked on major restructurings of companies like Enron, WorldCom, and Lehman Brothers and resolved scandals like Bernard Madoff’s.
Drew has also helped companies through bankruptcy and restructuring. For example, he guided Owens Corning and Pacific Gas and Electric through difficult financial situations in 2003 and 2020, respectively.
Working With Industry Leaders
Drew has worked with some of the biggest names in finance, collaborating with and competing against financial titans like David Tepper, Marc Lasry, and John Paulson.
A Career Defined by Ethics
The financial industry can be unpredictable, but Drew has always maintained a reputation for honesty. He became known as the “honest guy in a dishonest business.” He was transparent with clients, explaining fees and providing direct advice, even when the truth was difficult to hear.
One example of his strong leadership was during the Barclays-Lehman merger. Despite mass layoffs, Drew ensured that his team stayed motivated and united. His ability to lead through adversity strengthened his credibility in the industry.
Making Changes in Business and Beyond
Drew has been involved in major financial deals throughout his career. In 2021, he helped save Ligado Networks from bankruptcy by creating a plan approved by everyone involved. He also raised $900 million for private prison companies like GEO and CoreCivic.
Beyond his professional success, Drew has also contributed to his community. He was honored at the “Diamond in the Rough” Gala in Montauk for restoring the Montauk Playhouse, a community space.
