Andrew M. Alper is Chairman of EQA Partners, LP, an asset management firm specializing in global macro and currency strategies. Andy started his career on Wall Street at Goldman Sachs where he spent 21 years as an investment banker, co-head of the Financial Institutions Group and Chief Operating Officer of the Investment Banking Division. In early 2002, newly elected Mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg appointed Andy to become President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Chairman of the New York City Industrial Development Agency. In his four and one-half years of New York City service, Mr. Alper worked with city, state and federal agencies to stabilize and rebuild lower Manhattan. He was responsible for developing strategies for bringing jobs and economic growth back to the city in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. Mr. Alper received a BA in Economics in 1980, and his MBA in 1981, both from the University of Chicago. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago, and is a member of the Visiting Committee to the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He also serves as a Trustee of the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.