Jeff Yass

Jeffrey S. Yass (born 1956) is an American options trader, and a co-founder and managing director of the Philadelphia-based Susquehanna International Group (SIG). In 2001, he joined the executive advisory council of the Cato Institute.

Early life[]

Yass grew up in a middle-class Jewish family in Queens, New York.^[1] He is the son of Gerald Yass, and his "childhood sweetheart" Sybil, who was at his bar mitzvah.^[2][3] He has a sister, Carole.^[3] Gerald Yass graduated with a BS from LIU Brooklyn in 1951, and worked as an accountant, rising to chairman of Datatab Inc, and later a co-founder of Philadelphia Trading, which became SIG.^[3] As of 2018, he still works for SIG, as a senior executive and advisor.^[3]

Jeffrey Yass was educated at public schools in Queens.^[4] He earned a BA in mathematics and economics from Binghamton University.^[5][6] He pursued graduate studies in economics at New York University,^[6] but did not graduate.

Career[]

While at the State University of New York in Binghamton in the 1970s, Yass and five fellow students became friends and later co-founded Susquehanna International Group (SIG), the largest trader of liquid stocks in the US.^[2][7]

The billionaire trader Israel Englander sponsored Yass for a seat on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, and SIG was initially run from an office at the Exchange.^[2] His father, Gerald Yass, also helped to found the company.^[2] Prior to this, Yass was a professional gambler.^[8]

Political activities[]

Yass is a member of the executive advisory council of the libertarian Cato Institute.^[9] In 2015, Yass donated $2.3 million to a Super PAC supporting Rand Paul's presidential candidacy.^[10] In 2018 he donated $3.8m to the Club for Growth, and $20.7m in 2020.^[11]

In November 2020, it was reported that Yass had donated $25.3 million, all to Republican candidates, and was one of the ten largest political donors in the US.^[12]

In March, 2021, an investigation in Haaretz said that Jeff Yass and were behind a large portion of the donations to the Kohelet Policy Forum in Israel.^[13][14]

Recognition[]

In 2001, he appeared as one of 76 Revolutionary Minds in Philadelphia magazine. ^[15]

Personal life[]

He is married to Janine Coslett.^[16][17] They have lived in Haverford in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania for some years.^[12] They have four children, two sons and two daughters.^[18]

References[]

• "Save the Children Presents Distinguished Service Awards to Trustees Jeffrey Yass". Trustees Saluted. Save the Children. April 10, 2001. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
• "Board of Directors". Cato Institute. 2006. Archived from the original on August 17, 2005. Retrieved 2006-09-15.
• Segal, Geoffrey F.; Samuel R. Staley (September–October 2002). "News Notes" (PDF). CATO Policy Report. Cato Institute. p. 13. Retrieved 2006-09-15.
• "Franklin Family Funfest" (PDF). 7th Annual Franklin Family Funfest. Franklin Institute. October 22, 2004. Retrieved 2006-09-15.^{[dead link]}
• "Port authority establishes world trade center memorial fund to aid victims and their families". Port Authority of NY and NJ. September 29, 2001. Archived from the original on October 10, 2007. Retrieved 2006-09-15.
• "SGF Advisory Board Members". Spirit of Golf Foundation. 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-05-14. Retrieved 2006-09-15.
• "Families First Contributors". People's Emergency Center (PEC). 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-10-09. Retrieved 2006-09-15.

Further reading[]

• Schwager, Jack D. (1995). The New Market Wizards. 13 pages: Wiley; New Ed edition. ISBN 0-471-13236-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)