Eric L. Thunem spent more than twenty-five years in fund-raising for private equity, credit, and real estate investments, retiring in 2021 from Portfolio Advisors, LLC as Managing Director, Co-Head of Marketing and Client Services. Prior to Portfolio Advisors, he was a Managing Director at Groton Partners and an Associate at Chase Securities. Eric earned an M.B.A. from Columbia University in 1995, where he was invited to be the student speaker at his graduation ceremony. His previous work experience included more than ten years in the U.S. domestic oil and gas industry, as a financial analyst and petroleum engineering technician, in Texas and New York. Eric graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1979, with a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, majoring in psychology.
Eric currently serves on Boards of Directors for the Gridiron Club of New Canaan and the Town Players of New Canaan. He is an advisor for the New Canaan Parent Support Group, and serves on the New York Regional Advisory Board for Caron Treatment Centers. In addition to Gridiron and Town Players, Eric has been actively involved in community service organizations for more than forty years, including the Exchange Club, New Canaan Community Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Midland (TX) Community Theater, and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Eric is an active member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, where he has served as Vestry member, annual stewardship campaign chair, and May Fair co-chair; he is currently a member of the May Fair executive committee. Eric and his wife, Cynnie, have lived in New Canaan since 1997, and they have two adult sons. Eric grew up in New Canaan (1963 – 1981), attended Center School and East School, and graduated from New Canaan High School in 1975.
Eric enjoys crossword puzzles, reading (history and biography), cooking, travel, and exercise.