Peter George Peterson (born Peter Petropoulos; June 5, 1926 – March 20, 2018) was an American investment banker who served as United States Secretary of Commerce from February 29, 1972 to February 1, 1973 under the Richard Nixon administration. Before serving as Secretary of Commerce, Peterson was Chairman and CEO of Bell & Howell from 1963 to 1971. From 1973 to 1984 he was Chairman and CEO of Lehman Brothers. In 1985 he co-founded the private equity firm, The Blackstone Group, and served as Chairman.
