Additional Coverage:
- Andreessen Horowitz hires Daniel Penny, who was cleared last year in the killing of a subway rider (businessinsider.com)
Local Marine veteran Daniel Penny has landed a new job with venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). Penny will serve as a deal partner supporting the firm’s American Dynamism team.
This follows Penny’s acquittal last year on charges related to the death of Jordan Neely. Penny restrained Neely, a homeless street performer, in a chokehold on a New York City subway.
Neely, who reportedly had a history of mental illness, was allegedly yelling at passengers prior to the incident. A jury found Penny not guilty of criminally negligent homicide after deadlocking on a manslaughter charge.
An internal statement from a16z partner David Ulevitch praised Penny’s actions, calling him courageous.
The American Dynamism team focuses on investments in companies supporting the “national interest,” including areas like aerospace, defense, and public safety. The firm has also invested in sectors like education, housing, and manufacturing.