Jay Wilkins, the president of Harvest Partners LLC, a private equity firm based in New York, passed away unexpectedly on February 4, 2023, following a brief illness. He was 46 years old. He died of cardiac arrest, according to SWFI
A Life of Leadership and Achievement
Jay Wilkins was born on January 26, 1977, in Philadelphia. He graduated from The Haverford School and earned his BS at Vanderbilt University, where he met his future wife, McCartney Sullivan Kay Wilkins. They married in Nantucket in 2005 and settled in New York City, where Jay began his career in finance with Donaldson, Lufkin, and Jenrette. He was the president of his Phi Kappa Psi pledge class and a generous philanthropist with a particular focus on his alma mater, Vanderbilt University, according to Legacy.com
Jay Wilkins joined Harvest Partners in 2010 as a partner and became the president of the firm in 2019. Before joining Harvest, he was a principal at DLJ Merchant Banking Partners and North Castle Partners, where he focused on leveraged buyout transactions. He also worked as an analyst in the Leveraged Finance division of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, where he was responsible for carrying out deals on behalf of the business’s private equity clients, according to Atinkanews.Net.
Jay Wilkins was known for his passion for his work, his exceptional ability to lead and inspire others, and his philosophy of “I’ll see you and I’ll raise you.” He was a doer, a fixer, a problem solver, always multiple moves ahead, with the uncanny talent for finding the salient point in every situation. He was the call you made when you could only make one call, according to Legacy.com
A Loving Husband and Father
Jay Wilkins was not only a successful businessman, but also a devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife, McCartney, his teammate of 26 years, their 12-year-old son, John Campbell Wilkins III (Jack), and their constant companion, Charlie the chihuahua. He also leaves behind his father, John Campbell Wilkins, his mother, Elizabeth Mahoney Wilkins, his brother, Andrew Charles Wilkins, his sister, Lindsey Elizabeth Wilkins Press, and many other relatives and friends, according to Legacy.com
Jay Wilkins enjoyed spending time with his family and sharing his interests and hobbies with them. He and his wife were James Bond nuts, Phillies and Eagles fans, billiards sharks, and golf hustlers. He also taught his son and his friends poker and life lessons, such as persuasion, impact, and courage, during the pandemic lockdown, according to Legacy.com
A Legacy That Lives On
Jay Wilkins left behind a legacy that will continue to touch and inspire the lives of countless individuals. He was a man of integrity, generosity, and courage, who always asked for more, of himself and others. He created bonds of trust and loyalty among his friends, family, and colleagues that motivated them to do extraordinary things. He measured his success by the success he helped others achieve, and was happiest when sharing his time, advice, and experience, according to Legacy.com
Jay Wilkins will be dearly missed by all who knew him and loved him. He will be remembered as a talented and kind-hearted individual who always put others first. He will be honored for his contributions to the private equity industry and his philanthropic efforts. He will be celebrated for his zest for life and his love for his family. He will be cherished for his memory and his spirit.