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Whittier Trust Company
Whittier Trust Company was founded in 1935 by descendants of Max Whittier. He co-founded Belridge Oil, which sold to Shell in 1979. The firm began as a vehicle...
Whittier Trust Company
Whittier Trust Company was founded in 1935 by descendants of Max Whittier. He co-founded Belridge Oil, which sold to Shell in 1979. The firm began as a vehicle to manage that fortune and evolved into a multi-family office serving other affluent families. The firm deploys capital across real estate, private equity, private credit, hedge funds, and infrastructure. It runs a direct co-investment program that includes SPVs and club deals. Confirmed positions include SpaceX through its private equity program and a 2024 co-investment with BKM Capital Partners to acquire Tigard Business Park in Portland for $50.7 million. The firm maintains exposure in North America with indicated interest in Europe and Asia. Client real estate holdings exceed $2 billion across more than 100 properties in California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, and Texas. The firm operates a second trust company in Reno. It sponsors events such as the 2025 San Diego Business Journal Wealth Management Roundtable and maintains philanthropic vehicles including the Mericos Foundation established in 1980. October 2024 marked the Tigard Business Park acquisition. The firm maintains a Nevada-domiciled trust company that offers asset protection and tax advantages unavailable in California. This structure supports direct real estate ownership and long-term family governance separate from the Pasadena headquarters operations.
General information
Firm type
Multi Family Office
Year founded
1935
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Pasadena
Corporate office
177 E. Colorado Boulevard Suite 800, Pasadena, CA 91105
Additional offices
Reno, NV
Principals
Michael J. Casey
Executive Chairman
David A. Dahl
President and CEO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Whittier Trust Company?
David A. Dahl serves as president and CEO. Michael J. Casey is executive chairman. Investment decisions incorporate client-specific mandates across public equities, real estate, and private markets.
How does Whittier Trust Company source proprietary deal flow?
The firm maintains a direct co-investment program focused on real estate and energy. It partners with specialized managers such as BKM Capital Partners on individual assets.
Does Whittier Trust Company participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The firm executes both fund commitments and direct co-investments. It allocates to private equity, hedge funds, and real estate vehicles while also taking direct positions in properties and operating companies.
What investment stages does Whittier Trust Company typically target?
The firm targets venture capital, growth equity, and buyout opportunities. It also executes direct real estate acquisitions without stage restrictions typical of venture funds.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The founding Whittier family wealth originated from Belridge Oil, sold to Shell Oil in 1979 for $3.65 billion. The firm now serves multiple families beyond the original lineage.
Does Whittier Trust Company maintain philanthropic structures, and how are they separated?
The firm manages several family foundations including the Mericos Foundation and Confidence Foundation. These vehicles operate separately from investment accounts and focus on education, arts, and health.
What is Whittier Trust Company's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?
The firm actively pursues direct real estate co-investments with specialized managers. Recent examples include the 2024 Tigard Business Park transaction alongside BKM Capital Partners.
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