Key Takeaways:

• Daniel Penny has joined the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz as a Deal Partner after being acquitted in a controversial case.
• Penny's hiring has been praised by Vice President JD Vance, who called it "incredible news."
• The firm plans to leverage Penny's experience in strengthening relationships with the defense and public safety sectors.
• Penny's chokehold of Jordan Neely in May 2023 stirred significant national debate regarding vigilante justice and the use of force.

Former Marine Daniel Penny has recently secured a position at Andreessen Horowitz, a reputable Silicon Valley venture capital firm, just months after he was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide in connection with the chokehold death of Jordan Neely. Penny will be joining the firm’s American Dynamism team, which focuses on investments that align with American national interests, specifically in the fields of defense and public safety.

In a memo announcing the hire, David Ulevitch, a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, emphasized that the firm believes in Penny’s potential and stated, "He will learn the business of investing and work to support our portfolio companies." Ulevitch also noted that Penny's hiring would help strengthen relationships within the Department of Defense and the public safety sector, reflecting the firm's strategic goals.

JD Vance, the Vice President, lauded the news on social media, describing it as "incredible news." Penny's hiring has received mixed reactions, reflecting the division in public opinion stemming from the subway incident. Notably, the May 2023 incident, where Penny placed Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man, in a chokehold that resulted in his death, provoked a national conversation regarding issues of race and vigilante justice. The chokehold incident escalated tensions, with many protesting against Penny’s actions, labeling him a vigilante while others defended his response as a necessary act of self-defense.

Penny was acquitted in December 2024, freeing him from the charges amid widespread media attention and public scrutiny. Ulevitch articulated the firm's philosophy in his memo, stating, "We evaluate the entire person and do not judge them solely by their worst moment." This approach reflects the firm's alignment with character-based evaluations in their hiring practices.

Since his acquittal, Penny has maintained a lower public profile, though he was seen at the Army-Navy football game alongside Vance and former President Donald Trump, underscoring his connection with prominent political figures. As he steps into this new role, Penny aims to utilize his experience and prior military background to contribute to Andreessen Horowitz's mission of investing in solutions that address critical American challenges.

For further details, please visit The Hill and The Daily Beast.