Christopher Binyon Sarofim is an American businessman and fund manager. He is the deputy chairman of Fayez Sarofim & Co, president of Sarofim International Management Company, and a director of the Sarofim Group.
Early life
Christopher Sarofim is the eldest son of Fayez Sarofim and his first wife, Louisa Stude Sarofim, is the daughter of Margaret and Herman Brown, the co-founder of Brown & Root. Sarofim graduated from St. George's School in 1982, where he served on the board for 9 years. Sarofim received a bachelor's degree in history from Princeton University in 1986.
Career
After graduating from Princeton, Sarofim worked in corporate finance for Goldman Sachs, and then joined Fayez Sarofim & Co. At Fayez Sarofim & Co., he worked as an Associate, then a Senior Associate, a Principal, and Vice President. Since 2010, he has been portfolio manager, vice chairman, and director of the company. He is a member of the firm's executive, finance, and investment committees, and president of their foreign advisory business, Sarofim International Management Company. He serves on the Board of Directors of Wood Partners, a privately held real estate development company, and Kemper Corporation, a publicly-traded insurance company. Sarofim is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Brown Foundation, Inc and was on the board of the Texas Heart Institute. He is also on the Advisory Committee of the MD Anderson Cancer CenterBoard of Visitors, and serves on the UTHealth Development Board. He is the deputy chairman of Fayez Sarofim & Co. He is the designated successor of Fayez Sarofim. Previously, Sarofim served on the board of directors of the Georgia O'Keeffe museum. He and his wife, Courtney, were 2017 Community Champions, supporting Texas Children's Cancer Center's annual Celebration of Champions fashion presentation and luncheon. They also support The Texan French Alliance for the Arts, and are both donors and members of the Houston Cinema Arts Society, and many other organizations. In May 2019, the Sarofims invested in New York based designer Adam Lippes.
Personal life
He was married to Valerie Biggs. They divorced in 2000. They had a daughter together, who was later the subject of a custody battle. Sarofim is married to Courtney Lanier, daughter of Elyse and Bob Lanier, former mayor of Houston. Courtney Lanier Sarofim graduated with honors from Columbia University, then attended law school at the University of Houston. Lanier Sarofim practiced law at Fulbright and Jaworski, then became vice president for acquisitions and dispositions at Landar Holdings, a real estate investment company. Since 2010, she has been a partner at Sima Capital LLC, an alternative investments firm. Courtney Lanier Sarofim is a trustee of St. John's School, and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, where she is on the executive committee. She is on the board of KIPP Texas – Houston, and on the board of governors for the Lyford Cay International School. She has held board positions with the Boys and Girls Club of Houston, the Children's Museum, the Houston Ballet, and the Menil Collection. They have two children.
