In Gates Divorce, Spotlight On Man Who Managed Their $170 Billion Fortune

On Monday, a spokesman said that Bill and Melinda Gates Investments -- the 100-person strong team led by Michael Larson that's overseen their personal fortune and the endowment of their namesake foundation -- changed its name to Cascade Asset Management Co.

For almost three decades, Michael Larson has quietly shuffled around one of the world's biggest fortunes with a chief priority: Keep his fabulously wealthy bosses out of the headlines. The conservative bets, the nondescript office, the investment firm's generic-sounding name; they were all carefully designed to shield Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates from criticism and produce steady, if seemingly unimpressive, returns. The couple's divorce announcement last month cracked the curated image. Unflattering details spilled out, including a report that Larson had allegedly harassed and bullied some employees. On Monday, a spokesman said that Bill and Melinda Gates Investments -- the 100-person strong team led by Larson that's overseen their personal fortune and the endowment of their namesake foundation -- changed its name to Cascade Asset Management Co. The moniker closely resembles Cascade Investment, which historically has been the part of BMGI that manages the Gateses' personal wealth.