Before retiring in 2017, John Pratt was chairman and managing director of the Global Industrials Investment Banking Group of Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He was also head of the Chicago Investment Banking office. Mr. Pratt joined Merrill Lynch in 1984 as an associate in the Investment Banking Division and was promoted to managing director in 1992. While serving in many leadership roles throughout his 33 years at Merrill Lynch and Bank of America, he maintained client coverage responsibility for many corporations worldwide. 

Mr. Pratt is a board member of McCaffery Interests. He is a Life Trustee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and a board member of the Western Golf Association - Evans Scholars Foundation. He previously served on the boards of World Business Chicago and the Ravinia Festival. He received a B.A, from Northwestern University in 1978 and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management - Northwestern University in 1983.