The Wall Street Journal-20080201-Ex-NBC Chief Joins Lee Equity

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Ex-NBC Chief Joins Lee Equity

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Former NBC Universal chief executive Robert C. Wright is joining Lee Equity Partners, where he will assist the nascent private-equity firm in building its expertise in the media and financial services industries.

A General Electric Co. veteran, Mr. Wright spent two decades in the company's NBC Universal entertainment division transforming a single television network into a media conglomerate that spanned a movie studio, theme parks and cable channels. He ceded the top role in a management reshuffle last year that saw Jeff Zucker succeed him.

Mr. Wright, 64 years old, joins as a senior advisor. He serves as GE's vice chairman and director, but is due to retire from those positions at the end of April. Prior to his role in the entertainment division, Mr. Wright headed GE's Credit Corporation business. He joined GE in 1969 as a trainee.

Financier Thomas H. Lee founded Lee Equity Partners in 2006 after leaving the private-equity firm he founded in the 1970s, Thomas H. Lee Partners. Mr. Lee said Mr. Wright would "help out in all areas," but will particularly concentrate on investments in media and broadcasting, and financial services.