Carnegie Mellon University

Commencement Weekend

May 19 - 20, 2018

David Tepper (TPR 1982)

Keynote Speaker and Honorary Doctor of Business Practice

David Tepper

David Tepper is one of the most successful investors of his generation. His hedge fund, Appaloosa Management L.P., has consistently outperformed industry peers and the broader global markets since inception. 

A major philanthropist, Tepper champions education and meeting people’s basic needs across the U.S. with a focus on communities in New Jersey, Florida and the greater Pittsburgh area. He is also a significant supporter of major charities worldwide, including Feeding America, American Cancer Society and UNICEF.

The son of a public school teacher, Tepper is passionate about ensuring education is accessible to all and that children and teachers have the tools and resources they need to thrive. To that end, he works closely with Teach for America, Better Education Institute and other national organizations. Additionally, Tepper has played an integral role in providing natural disaster relief nationwide and in Puerto Rico. He serves on the boards of Blue Meridian, a partnership of impact-driven philanthropists seeking to change the odds for America’s children and youth living in poverty, and the Robin Hood Foundation, New York’s largest poverty-fighting organization. 

A 1982 graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s business school, he serves on the Business Board of Advisors for the Tepper School of Business. He received his bachelor's degree in economics in 1978 from the University of Pittsburgh.

Tepper began his career in Pittsburgh at Equibank. Following graduate school, he worked at Republic Steel.  In 1985, he joined Goldman Sachs as a credit analyst, later becoming the head trader of the firm’s high yield department. He established Appaloosa in 1993.