Co-Founder and Chairman
TransDigm Group
W. Nicholas (Nick) Howley ‘75, Drexel alumnus and trustee, is the co-founder and chairman of TransDigm Group, one of the world’s largest aerospace companies with an enterprise value of $100 billion. Under his leadership, TransDigm has become widely recognized for its unique approach, operating much like a private equity business in the public markets. TransDigm was founded in 1992, and for its first 16 years, had three major successive private equity fund investors. The company has been publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 2006.
In addition to his role at TransDigm, Howley is also the co-founder and chairman of Perimeter Solutions, a New York Stock Exchange-listed company and the world’s largest supplier of forest fire prevention products and services. Howley has served on numerous private equity boards. Bratenahl Capital Partners, his family-funded office, is an active investor in a broad range of private equity investments across various industries.
Howley’s leadership and business achievements have been honored nationally. He is a recipient of the Singleton Lifetime CEO Award, a rare distinction previously awarded to John Malone (Liberty Media) and Ken Langone (Home Depot). The award also recognizes mid-career leaders such as the founders of Stripe and DoorDash.
Along with his wife Lorie and their daughter Meg Howley ’10, Nick is the founder of The Howley Foundation, which is dedicated to providing access to high-quality education to those with the ability but not the means to do so. Through the foundation, the Howley family has advanced opportunities for students nationwide by supporting scholarships, access, and specialized educational programs. The foundation currently provides approximately 1500 students with scholarships, including a substantial number of scholarships for Drexel University students.
In addition to serving on the Drexel University Board of Trustees, Howley is also a board member of the Cleveland Clinic, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and St. Joseph’s Preparatory School. Howley graduated from Drexel University in 1975 with a B.S. in Engineering and from Harvard Business School in 1979 with an MBA.