Mr. Simmons graduated
cum laude with a bachelor's degree from Williams College in 1978 and received his master's degree in business administration from New York University in 1982.
He spent eight years at Bankers Trust Company, four years in New York City and four years in Los Angeles. He has lived in California since, although he still describes himself as a New Englander at heart.
He joined Freeman Spogli & Co. in 1986 and has been a General Partner there for over 20 years.
Mr. Simmons has served on the Board of Directors of a number of public and private companies and today serves on the Boards of PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc., Smile Brands Group, Inc., Boot Barn, Inc. and totes>>ISOTONER Corporation.
He is also a Board Member of three non-profit organizations: LAMP Community, a Los Angeles-based organization that works to decrease homelessness in the Los Angeles area; the Alliance for College Ready Public Schools, a group of 26 charter schools in Los Angeles; and The Sound Body Sound Mind Foundation, an organization that ensures students have adequate access to fitness equipment and the opportunity to live a healthy, active lifestyle.
One of his greatest passions in life has been for the wilderness. In the last several years he has become somewhat possessed with mountain climbing, including a successful summit of Mount Everest.
Mr. Simmons and his wife, Dr. Olga Mohan, live in Manhattan Beach, California, and have three children.