Jérôme de Bontin

Jérôme de Bontin (September 12, 1957 in Paris) is a French businessman and football administrator.

Early life

Jérôme de Bontin was born on September 12, 1957 in Paris, France. He graduated with a B.A. in Economics from Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he attended at the same time as Albert II, Prince of Monaco.

Career

De Bontin started a career in finance. He was director of Sustainability Investments L.L.C. and Mékar Financial Services, both companies based in Northbrook, Illinois. He later became president and director of Crédit Agricole, a France-based retail bank. In addition, he was vice president of finance for Drexel Burnham Lambert and finance director of Rodman & Renshaw in Chicago.

After his ventures in the financial sector, de Bontin pursued roles in soccer administration. In addition to holding coaching and referee licenses in the United States, he sits on the board of trustees for the United States Soccer Foundation.

In June 2002, de Bontin was named director of Ligue 1 side AS Monaco FC. In April 2008, he was promoted to interim president of the club after the resignation of Michel Pastor. He became the first non-Monégasque President of the club. In March 2009, he resigned and was replaced by Étienne Franzi.

In October 2012, de Bontin was appointed General Manager of Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls, following the departure of Erik Solér. He later resigned in April 2014.