Carson Block, Founder and CIO of Muddy Waters Capital, LLC, Joins Illinois Tech Board of Trustees
CHICAGO—Carson Block (LAW ’05), founder and CIO of Muddy Waters Capital LLC, has been elected to the Illinois Tech Board of Trustees.
“Illinois Tech’s goals to develop hybrid capabilities to meet the needs of all students and learners with flexible offerings that produce the best return on their investment is admirable,” Block says. “I’m honored to join the board of this university and be a part of building a culture that kindles curiosity and sparks the innovative spirit of our students to prepare them to be impactful leaders in their communities.”
Block is the founder and CIO of Muddy Waters Capital LLC, an activist investment firm that utilizes an investigative financial journalism-based strategy. Muddy Waters’ activist campaigns have assisted regulators with identifying and de-listing problematic public companies in Hong Kong, Europe, Canada, and the United States. Block is also the founder of Zer0es TV, an internet video channel focused on providing investors with intelligent research and insights on short-selling.
“Carson’s legacy of innovative entrepreneurship is a perfect match for Illinois Tech’s mission of advancing technology for all and empowering students and communities in Chicago and around the world,” says Raj Echambadi, president of Illinois Tech. “We are honored to have Carson join in our efforts to promote technology as a force for good and make Illinois Tech an opportunity engine for all.”
Prior to founding Muddy Waters, Block was a lawyer in Shanghai with international law firm Jones Day, where he focused on mergers & acquisitions and foreign direct investment in China. He is an alumnus of Chicago-Kent College of Law at Illinois Tech, and served as an adjunct professor at the law school in 2008. Block earned his bachelor’s degree in business from University of Southern California Marshall School of Business.
“Carson’s expertise with developing relevance-inspired research in his business dovetails with our goals to
discover, create, and deliver the knowledge and competencies for individuals and institutions to thrive in a tech-based economy,” says Ernie Iseminger, vice president for advancement at Illinois Tech. “I look forward to working with him to establish Illinois Tech as a global university and valued citizen in Chicago and beyond.”
Michael P. Galvin (LAW ’78), chairman of Illinois Tech Board of Trustees, says that Block’s business acumen will be an asset to the board.
“Carson’s insights will play an important role in our continuing commitment to invest in the academic enterprise in order to libertate the power of difference to advance technology for all,” Galvin says. “ I am delighted to welcome Carson to the board to help us reimagine education and contribute to Illinois Tech’s reputation as an innovator in higher education.”
