You’ve probably heard the name Josh Connor recently, and honestly, it’s usually for one of two very different reasons.
For some, he’s the high-flying financier who popped up in the tabloids because of his relationship with Christine Baumgartner, the ex-wife of Kevin Costner. For others—specifically those who track the movement of billions in global infrastructure—he’s the guy who basically rewrote the book on transportation investment.
But who is Josh Connor really?
If you try to pin him down as just a "celebrity boyfriend" or a "banker," you’re missing about 90% of the picture. He isn’t some random guy who stumbled into wealth. He’s spent over 25 years in the trenches of Wall Street, navigating the collapse and rebirth of airlines, the logistics of global shipping, and the gritty world of freight rail.
Let's cut through the noise.
The Financial Engine Behind the Name
Josh Connor didn’t start at the top. He earned his degree in economics from Williams College back in the mid-90s, a place known for churning out sharp analytical minds. From there, he didn't just join the finance world; he effectively took up permanent residence in the transportation sector.
For 15 years, he was a fixture at Morgan Stanley. He wasn't just sitting in an office looking at spreadsheets; he was co-heading the Global Transportation and Infrastructure Investment Banking Group. This matters because the mid-2000s were a wild time for airlines and shipping. Connor was right in the middle of it, advising on deals that literally kept planes in the sky.
After a stint at Barclays as the Co-Head of the Industrials Banking Group, he decided to do his own thing. In 2015, he founded Connor Capital SB.
Why the Airline Industry Respects Him
If you look at the board of directors for Frontier Airlines or Copa Holdings (the parent of Copa Airlines), you'll see his name. He isn't there for decoration. Connor is known for an "artisanal" approach to transportation. He doesn't just want to buy a company and flip it; he’s obsessed with operational excellence and safety.
Think about it this way: most people see a plane and think about legroom. Josh Connor sees a plane and thinks about fuel hedging, maintenance cycles, and the macro-economic impact of regional infrastructure.
Josh Connor and the Oaktree Spinoff
If you follow the "smart money," you know about Oaktree Capital Management. It’s one of the biggest names in alternative investments. Connor joined them in 2017 to co-manage their infrastructure strategy.
But the real news happened recently.
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In July 2024, Connor and his long-time partner Emmett McCann (they’ve worked together since their Morgan Stanley days in 2006) spun off Oaktree’s transportation business to create Duration Capital Partners.
They didn't just leave with their desks and chairs. They walked away with:
- Over $3.5 billion in assets under management.
- A portfolio that includes massive names like Ports America and Watco.
- An 18-member team they recruited directly from Oaktree.
It was a bold move. They wanted to be a standalone firm that could be more "thoughtful" (his word) about where they put their money. Oaktree even kept a 25% stake in the new firm, which tells you exactly how much Howard Marks and the rest of the Oaktree leadership value Connor’s expertise.
The Personal Side: Navigating the Spotlight
It’s impossible to talk about who Josh Connor is in 2026 without acknowledging the Santa Barbara connection.
For a long time, Connor was just a "family friend" to the Costners. He lived in the same exclusive enclave, and his kids were reportedly friends with theirs. But after Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner’s very public, very messy divorce in 2023, things changed.
The tabloids went into a frenzy when Connor and Baumgartner were spotted in Hawaii. People started speculating. Was he the "mystery man"? Was he just helping a friend?
By early 2024, it was confirmed they were dating. And by October 18, 2025, they were married in a quiet ceremony at the Santa Ynez Ranch. It wasn't a Hollywood spectacle. It was intimate—about 100 people.
What People Miss About the "Tabloid" Josh
What’s interesting is that while the world was watching the divorce drama, Connor was quietly closing multi-billion dollar deals. He’s a guy who manages three children of his own (from his previous marriage to Patricia Connor) while overseeing the movement of goods across North America.
He seems to prefer the "quiet luxury" lifestyle. You won't find him shouting on social media or trying to be a "finfluencer." He’s the guy in the well-tailored suit who stays in the background until it’s time to sign the paperwork.
Sorting Fact From Fiction
Because his name is "Josh Connor," there’s often a bit of confusion with other public figures.
- Is he an actor? No. You might be thinking of Josh O'Connor, the British actor who played Prince Charles in The Crown. Completely different person.
- Is he a "Succession" character? No, but people often compare him to the "stealth wealth" archetypes seen on the show. While he operates in that world of private jets and high-stakes boardrooms, he’s a real-deal operator, not a fictional heir.
- Is he just a "banker"? Calling him a banker is like calling a master chef a "cook." He’s a specialist in transportation infrastructure. He understands the "movement of people and goods" at a level most people can't grasp.
Actionable Insights: Why This Matters to You
So, why should you care about a guy who buys ports and marries celebrities?
First, his career path is a masterclass in niche specialization. Instead of being a generalist, Connor became the guy for transportation. If you’re looking to advance in your own career, finding that one specific "pillar" of expertise is often the key to becoming indispensable.
Second, the success of Duration Capital Partners shows the power of long-term partnerships. He and Emmett McCann have been a duo for nearly 20 years. In an industry where people jump ship for a bigger paycheck every two years, that kind of loyalty is rare—and it’s a massive signal of stability to investors.
Finally, keep an eye on Frontier Airlines and the logistics sector. Connor’s fingerprints are all over the infrastructure that gets your Amazon packages delivered and your holiday flights off the ground.
If you want to track what he’s doing next, look at SEC Form 4 filings for Frontier (ULCC). As of early 2026, he’s still a major player there, and his trades often signal how he views the future of low-cost travel.
The real story isn't just who he's married to. It's how he became one of the most influential "invisible" hands in the American economy.