AMP adds former Oaktree VP to infra equity team

AMP Capital has added Brent Tasugi, a former senior vice-president at Oaktree Capital Management, to its New York-based infrastructure equity team.

Tasugi, who will serve as an investment director for AMP, spent nearly three years at Oaktree, joining the firm in August 2014. He was responsible for the origination and execution of North American transportation, logistics and public-private partnerships, working on projects including the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Puerto Rico and Oaktree’s investment in Lonestar Airport Holdings.

“He brings extensive experience in infrastructure transactions, particularly in the transport sector, and his knowledge and expertise will bring added capability to our origination focus across North America,” said Dylan Foo, who heads AMP Capital’s Americas infrastructure equity programme.

Tasugi will be responsible for origination in North America, focusing on transportation, logistics and communications. The move comes as AMP plans to focus increasingly on this market, particularly mid-market value-add opportunities. Foo pointed to promises by the Trump administration to invest $200 billion in infrastructure over the next decade with the aim of spurring $1 trillion in total investment.

“The US is a very attractive market for AMP Capital and we think the potential for investment is significant,” Foo said.

Before joining Oaktree, Tasugi served as a principal at Highstar Capital. He previously worked for The Carlyle Group and Morgan Stanley.