Career Timeline of Howard Lutnick: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Howard Lutnick, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Howard William Lutnick is an American businessman and government official, serving as the 41st United States Secretary of Commerce since 2025.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1983: Lutnick Hired by Cantor Fitzgerald

In 1983, Howard Lutnick was hired at Cantor Fitzgerald by B. Gerald Cantor, who was encouraged by Rod Fisher.

December 1990: Appointed Cantor's Successor

In December 1990, Lutnick was appointed as Cantor's successor in the event of his death.

1990: Lutnick Becomes President and CEO

In 1990, Lutnick became the president and chief executive officer of Cantor Fitzgerald.

1991: Lutnick Becomes Chief Executive

In 1991, after a failed attempt to oust him, Lutnick became the chief executive and president of Cantor Fitzgerald.

1994: Investments in European Brokering Business

Since 1994, Lutnick had spent at least US$43 million to establish a brokering business in Europe.

1996: Appointed Chairman of Cantor Fitzgerald

In 1996, following a settlement that gave Lutnick management control, he was appointed chairman of Cantor Fitzgerald after Cantor's death.

September 1998: Cantor Fitzgerald Begins Electronic Trading

In September 1998, Cantor Fitzgerald began electronic trading for futures contracts and developed eSpeed, an electronic trading platform.

March 1999: eSpeed Released

In March 1999, the electronic trading platform eSpeed was released.

September 2001: eSpeed Creates Marketplaces

By September 2001, eSpeed had created four dozen marketplaces, including TradeSpark.

October 2001: Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund Established

In October 2001, Howard Lutnick established the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund, which began donating US$5,000 to families of victims with one or more children affected by the September 11 attacks.

February 2002: Firm to Divide Profits

In February 2002, Cantor Fitzgerald announced it would divide US$4.9 million in profit to survivors of the September 11 attacks.

September 2002: Cantor Fitzgerald Donates to Relief Fund

In September 2002, Cantor Fitzgerald donated US$4 million to the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund.

December 2002: Cantor Fitzgerald's Employee Count

By December 2002, Cantor Fitzgerald had 750 employees in New York.

July 2003: Lutnick became a board member of the Horace Mann School

From July 2003, Howard Lutnick served as a board member of the Horace Mann School.

August 2004: BGC Partners Established

In August 2004, Cantor Fitzgerald established a partnership, BGC Partners, for its voice brokerage business.

January 2006: Lutnick named to the board of the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation

In January 2006, Howard Lutnick was named to the board of the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation.

September 2006: Relief Fund Donations Reach US$180 Million

As of September 2006, the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund had donated US$180 million to families.

October 2007: Lutnick Appointed Chief Executive

In October 2007, Lutnick was appointed the chief executive of Cantor Fitzgerald's fixed-income trading and sales business.

2013: Donations to Moore Tornado Victims

In 2013, Howard Lutnick gave debit cards of an equal amount to victims of the Moore tornado.

2013: Lutnick featured in documentary Out of the Clear Blue Sky

In 2013, Howard Lutnick was prominently featured in the documentary "Out of the Clear Blue Sky", which examines the destruction and rebuilding of Cantor Fitzgerald following the September 11 attacks. The film highlights Lutnick's efforts to preserve the company after the attack.

September 2014: Charity Day Raises US$101 Million

By September 2014, Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC Partners' annual charity day on September 11 had raised US$101 million for non-profits.

October 2014: Largest Donation to Haverford College

As of October 2014, when Howard Lutnick gave the largest single donation to Haverford College, valued at US$25 million, he had donated US$65 million in total.

January 2017: Anshu Jain Joins Cantor Fitzgerald

In January 2017, Anshu Jain, a former Deutsche Bank executive, joined Cantor Fitzgerald as its president.

2017: Donations to Hurricane Harvey Relief

In 2017, the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund donated to hurricane relief, including Hurricane Harvey.

May 2019: Lutnick hosted a fundraiser for Donald Trump

In May 2019, Howard Lutnick hosted a fundraiser for U.S. President and presidential candidate Donald Trump that raised more than US$5 million.

2020: Cantor Fitzgerald Invests in Cryptocurrency

Since 2020, Cantor Fitzgerald has invested in cryptocurrency, particularly Tether.

June 2024: Lutnick ceased being a board member of the Horace Mann School

In June 2024, Howard Lutnick ceased serving as a board member of the Horace Mann School.

June 2024: Lutnick co-hosted a fundraiser for Donald Trump in London

In June 2024, Howard Lutnick co-hosted a fundraiser for Donald Trump in London, organized by Duke Buchan.

July 2024: Lutnick Speaks at Bitcoin Conference

In July 2024, Lutnick and Donald Trump spoke at a Bitcoin conference, where Lutnick announced Cantor Fitzgerald would open a US$2 billion lending facility with Bitcoin as collateral.

August 2024: Named Co-Chair of Trump's Transition Team

In August 2024, Howard Lutnick was named co-chair of Donald Trump's presidential transition team.

November 2024: Lutnick is a board member of the Partnership for New York City and Weill Cornell Medicine

As of November 2024, Howard Lutnick is a member of the Partnership for New York City's board and Weill Cornell Medicine.

November 2024: Nominated for Secretary of Commerce

In November 2024, President-elect Trump nominated Howard Lutnick for Secretary of Commerce.

November 19, 2024: Trump selected Lutnick as his nominee for secretary of commerce

On November 19, 2024, Donald Trump selected Howard Lutnick as his nominee for secretary of commerce.

January 29, 2025: Lutnick promoted tariffs before Senate committee

On January 29, 2025, Howard Lutnick appeared before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where he promoted tariffs and vowed greater action on China and its advances in artificial intelligence, particularly the release of DeepSeek R1.