Robert S. Burnstine

Burnstine, Robert S.

Robert S. Burnstine, President and Portfolio Manager, is a co-founder of Fairpointe Capital LLC. Mr. Burnstine also leads the firm’s Focused Equity strategy, including serving as Lead Portfolio Manager for the Aston/Fairpointe Focused Equity Fund (MUTF:AFFEX; MUTF:AFPTX). His responsibilities include investment research, portfolio management and client relationships, bringing 22 years of investment experience to the firm. Prior to co-founding Fairpointe, he served as a portfolio manager and investment analyst for 10 years at Harris Associates L.P., a subsidiary of Natixis Global Asset Management. At Harris Associates, Mr. Burnstine provided research coverage of a variety of industries, including media, consumer, industrial and health care as a midcap/large-cap value generalist. He also managed portfolios and provided client service for institutional and high net worth separate accounts. Before joining Harris Associates, Mr. Burnstine served as a managing director at Talon Asset Management, Inc., for four years, pursuing direct private equity investment opportunities for the Talon Opportunity Fund, L.P., as well as research and portfolio-management responsibilities. During this time, Mr. Burnstine served on the board of directors and had board visitation rights on several of its portfolio investments. His experience also includes positions with the Merchant Banking and Media Groups of Chase Manhattan Corporation, performing comprehensive strategic, operating and financial analysis for private equity and debt transactions. Mr. Burnstine began his career with the law firm of Kirkland & Ellis, where he structured and negotiated leveraged buyouts and private equity investments, and formed private equity funds. Mr. Burnstine earned a BBA from the University of Michigan in 1986 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1989.