Hon. Rockwell A. Schnabel

Ambassador Rock Schnabel is a co-founder of Trident Capital and rejoined the firm in July 2005 as an Advisory Director. Rock was a managing director of Trident Capital from its inception in 1993 until 2001, when he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Ambassador to the European Union. In his role as advisory director to Trident Capital, Rock applies his unique experience in international finance, technology and politics to help Trident make informed investments in companies that do business in Europe or are affected by global markets. Rock also offers the benefit of his perspectives on global economic, financial and technology issues to Trident’s portfolio companies, including Outsource Partners International where he serves on the Board of Directors.

Ambassador Schnabel’s first government assignment was in 1986, when President Ronald Reagan named him U.S. ambassador to Finland. After leaving Helsinki, Finland in 1989, Rock served in Washington D.C. as the department of commerce deputy secretary. He then became acting secretary of commerce during the administration of President George Bush, Sr. During this time he was involved in early talks on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). He also led a commerce department effort to commercialize diverse technologies produced in U.S. laboratories.

Prior to his governmental service, Ambassador Schnabel spent over 25 years at the financial services firm Bateman, Eichler, Hill, Richards, Inc., a member of the New York Stock Exchange (now First Union Securities), most recently as President of the firm's holding company, Bateman Eichler, Hills Richards Group, Inc. He is also active in numerous civic and philanthropic organizations, including service as President of the board of commissioners of the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension Board. His past and present directorships and affiliations include CSG Systems, Inc. (NASD); Cyrus Minerals, Inc. (NYSE); Flextronics (NASD); International Game Technology, Inc. (NYSE), Phelps Dodge (NYSE); Board of Visitors, UCLA Anderson School of Business; Chairman, City of Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau; Council of American Ambassadors; National Venture Capital Association; Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee; and Attaché from the Netherlands to the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

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