Chevy Chase has emerged as a prime location for private equity firms, attracting top-tier investment groups like The Carlyle Group, Arlington Capital Partners, and The Halifax Group. These firms leverage the area’s strategic proximity to Washington, D.C., and its robust financial ecosystem. With a concentration of experienced professionals and access to government-related opportunities, Chevy Chase provides an ideal environment for private equity investments. Professionals interested in joining this dynamic community can explore more at alexejpikovsky.com/community.
Carlyle Group
Investment Style: The Carlyle Group specializes in a broad range of investments across various sectors including aerospace, defense, healthcare, technology, energy, and real estate. Their investment approach involves partnership with experienced management teams to drive long-term growth and value creation.
Portfolio Companies: Carlyle Group’s portfolio includes Booz Allen Hamilton (management consulting), Nielsen Holdings (global marketing research and measurement), and McDonald’s China (fast food).
Founding Date: 1987
Number of Investment Professionals: Over 1,800
Assets Under Management: Approximately $385 billion
Key Investment Professionals:
- William E. Conway Jr., Co-Founder & Co-Chairman: Instrumental in driving the firm’s strategic growth and fostering key investment opportunities.
- Glenn A. Youngkin, Former Co-CEO: Focused on expanding Carlyle’s global presence and enhancing its portfolio management capabilities.
- Kewsong Lee, Co-CEO: Leads the firm’s overall investment strategy, focusing on global expansion and innovation in investment practices.
Recent Exits:
- Veritas Holdings to BC Partners: A strategic exit involving the sale of a technology-focused security company.
- Axalta Coating Systems: Successfully exited through a public offering, optimizing market conditions for a favorable return.
Recent Acquisitions:
- Rigaku, a Tokyo-based scientific instrumentation manufacturer, to expand its capabilities in advanced materials and life sciences.
- Swiss-based specialty chemicals company Nouryon, enhancing their portfolio in the chemical sector.
Office Locations:
- Washington, D.C. (Headquarters): 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.
- Additional Offices: New York, Hong Kong, London, Tokyo, and other major cities worldwide.
Website: www.carlyle.com
Quote: “Our focus is on identifying market-leading businesses and transforming them into global powerhouses through strategic partnerships and operational excellence.” – Kewsong Lee, Co-CEO
Arlington Capital Partners
Investment Style: Arlington Capital Partners focuses on middle-market investment opportunities in sectors such as aerospace and defense, government services, healthcare, and business services. They emphasize strategic partnerships and operational expertise to drive growth and value creation.
Portfolio Companies: Their portfolio includes Centauri (defense services), Polaris Alpha (high-tech defense and intelligence solutions), and Endeavor Robotics (robotics technology for defense and security).
Founding Date: 1999
Number of Investment Professionals: Over 30
Assets Under Management: Approximately $4.5 billion
Key Investment Professionals:
- Malcolm Little, Managing Partner: Leads the firm’s strategic investment initiatives, focusing on industries with high growth potential.
- Michael Lustbader, Partner: Specializes in identifying key investment opportunities in the aerospace and defense sectors.
- Matt Altman, Partner: Plays a pivotal role in expanding the firm’s reach in the healthcare and business services industries.
Recent Exits:
- Endeavor Robotics to FLIR Systems: A successful exit that capitalized on the growing demand for defense technology.
- Polaris Alpha to Parsons Corporation: Leveraged market opportunities for a strategic merger and acquisition.
Recent Acquisitions:
- Octo Consulting, enhancing their presence in the government technology and services sector.
- EaglePicher Technologies, expanding capabilities in the aerospace and defense sectors.
Office Locations:
- Chevy Chase, Maryland (Headquarters): 5425 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD.
- Additional Offices: Boston and Los Angeles.
Website: www.arlingtoncap.com
Quote: “Our expertise lies in identifying transformational growth opportunities and leveraging our operational experience to create value for our portfolio companies.” – Malcolm Little, Managing Partner
The Halifax Group
Investment Style: The Halifax Group focuses on investing in lower middle-market businesses within the health and wellness, outsourced business services, and franchising sectors. They seek to partner with management teams to drive organic and acquisition growth strategies.
Portfolio Companies: Notable portfolio companies include TriMech (engineering solutions and support), Nutrition Physiology Company (livestock health management solutions), and Envision Pharma Group (medical communications and technology solutions).
Founding Date: 1999
Number of Investment Professionals: Approximately 20
Assets Under Management: Over $1.5 billion
Key Investment Professionals:
- David Dupree, Managing Partner: Focuses on investment strategy and execution across core sectors.
- Scott Plumridge, Partner: Leads investment efforts in the business services and health and wellness sectors.
- Chris Cathcart, Partner: Specializes in identifying growth opportunities in the franchising and healthcare sectors.
Recent Exits:
- TriMech to Court Square Capital Partners: Optimized market conditions for a favorable exit in the technology services sector.
- Pinnacle Treatment Centers to Linden Capital Partners: Captured growth in the healthcare services market for an advantageous exit.
Recent Acquisitions:
- Worldwide Express, expanding logistics and transportation service capabilities.
- PetroLiance, enhancing presence in the industrial services sector.
Office Locations:
- Chevy Chase, Maryland (Headquarters): 5425 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD.
- Additional Offices: Raleigh, Dallas, and Washington, D.C.
Website: www.thehalifaxgroup.com
Quote: “Our differentiated approach involves partnering with management to build businesses that achieve sustainable growth and industry leadership.” – David Dupree, Managing Partner
American Securities
Investment Style: American Securities focuses on investing in market-leading companies in the industrial, healthcare, and consumer sectors. The firm seeks to work collaboratively with management teams to drive growth and operational improvements.
Portfolio Companies: American Securities’ portfolio includes General Chemical (specialty chemicals), Presidio (IT solutions provider), and Unifrax (advanced materials).
Founding Date: 1994
Number of Investment Professionals: Over 80
Assets Under Management: Approximately $23 billion
Key Investment Professionals:
- Michael Fisch, CEO: Leads the firm in identifying strategic investment opportunities and fostering industry partnerships.
- Kevin Penn, Managing Director: Focuses on operational improvements and portfolio management to drive company growth.
- Scott Wolff, Managing Director: Specializes in the healthcare and industrial sectors, leading the firm’s investment strategies in these areas.
Recent Exits:
- A-Plant to Ashtead Group: A strategic exit through an industry merger.
- Tekni-Plex to Warburg Pincus: A successful exit capitalizing on market conditions in the consumer and healthcare sectors.
Recent Acquisitions:
- Smart & Final, a grocery retailer, enhancing their consumer sector portfolio.
- Conair, a leading personal care and health products company, expanding their reach in consumer and healthcare sectors.
Office Locations:
- New York (Headquarters): 299 Park Avenue, New York, NY.
- Additional Offices: Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Website: www.american-securities.com
Quote: “We are committed to partnering with management teams to unlock growth potential and operational excellence, creating lasting value.” – Michael Fisch, CEO
Avista Capital Partners
Investment Style: Avista Capital Partners focuses on investments in the healthcare sector, emphasizing growth equity and leveraged buyouts. They seek to partner with businesses to drive transformational growth and innovation.
Portfolio Companies: Avista’s portfolio includes Organix Recycling (waste management solutions), Kramer Laboratories (over-the-counter healthcare products), and United BioSource (pharmaceutical support services).
Founding Date: 2005
Number of Investment Professionals: Over 20
Assets Under Management: Approximately $8 billion
Key Investment Professionals:
- Thompson Dean, Co-Managing Partner: Drives the firm’s strategic vision and investment strategy in the healthcare sector.
- Sander Levy, Partner: Specializes in growth equity and buyout strategies, focusing on healthcare investments.
- Sunny Malhotra, Principal: Leads efforts in identifying and capitalizing on emerging trends within the healthcare industry.
Recent Exits:
- Covis Pharma to Apollo Global Management: Optimizing market conditions for a successful exit in the pharmaceutical sector.
- Vertical/Trigen Holdings to Grifols: A strategic exit that leveraged growth in the healthcare services industry.
Recent Acquisitions:
- GCM Surgical, a platform expansion in the medical devices sector.
- Osmotica Pharmaceuticals, enhancing their presence in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing.
Office Locations:
- New York (Headquarters): 65 East 55th Street, New York, NY.
- Additional Offices: Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Website: www.avistacap.com
Quote: “Our focus on healthcare allows us to leverage deep sector expertise to drive innovation and growth for our portfolio companies.” – Thompson Dean, Co-Managing Partner
JCR Capital
Investment Style: JCR Capital focuses on value-add investments in commercial real estate, employing strategies that capitalize on market inefficiencies and distressed asset opportunities to drive returns.
Portfolio Companies: JCR’s investments cover a range of real estate assets including multifamily housing, retail centers, and industrial properties.
Founding Date: 2006
Number of Investment Professionals: Approximately 15
Assets Under Management: Around $1 billion
Key Investment Professionals:
- Jay Rollins, Co-Founder & Managing Principal: Directs the firm’s investment strategy and oversees portfolio management.
- Patrick Walter, Principal: Focused on identifying and executing real estate investment opportunities across various sectors.
- Leah Pender, Principal: Specializes in financial structuring and asset management strategies.
Recent Exits:
- Sale of a multifamily housing portfolio to a private REIT, optimizing market conditions for a favorable return.
- Disposition of industrial properties to institutional buyers, leveraging demand in the logistics space.
Recent Acquisitions:
- Acquisition of retail centers in key suburban markets, focusing on value-add strategies.
- Investment in distressed hotel assets to reposition and enhance value post-renovation.
Office Locations:
- Denver (Headquarters): Denver, Colorado.
- Additional Offices: Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Website: www.jcrcapital.com
Quote: “We leverage our extensive experience in real estate to identify opportunities that others might overlook, creating value through strategic execution.” – Jay Rollins, Co-Founder & Managing Principal
FCP (Federal Capital Partners)
Investment Style: FCP focuses on value-add and opportunistic real estate investments across multifamily, office, and mixed-use properties. They aim to create value through strategic redevelopment and proactive asset management.
Portfolio Companies: Their real estate portfolio includes properties such as retail centers, residential communities, and office spaces primarily in the Eastern United States.
Founding Date: 1999
Number of Investment Professionals: Approximately 30
Assets Under Management: Approximately $4 billion
Key Investment Professionals:
- Esko Korhonen, Managing Partner: Drives strategic investment decisions and oversees the firm’s asset management activities.
- Alex Marshall, Partner: Focuses on expanding the firm’s multifamily and mixed-use investment strategies.
- Chris Gordon, Partner: Specializes in office and retail investment opportunities, enhancing portfolio diversification.
Recent Exits:
- Sale of a high-profile office complex in Washington, D.C., capitalizing on market demand for premium office spaces.
- Disposition of a mixed-use development in a suburban market, achieving strategic growth and return objectives.
Recent Acquisitions:
- Acquisition of urban mixed-use properties in key growth markets, focusing on redevelopment and enhancement.
- Investment in suburban multifamily communities for strategic value-add repositioning.
Office Locations:
- Chevy Chase, Maryland (Headquarters): 5425 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD.
- Additional Offices: Atlanta and Boston.
Website: www.fcpdc.com
Quote: “Our approach to real estate investment emphasizes not just acquiring properties, but transforming them into vibrant communities that meet the needs of modern living.” – Esko Korhonen, Managing Partner
Conclusion
Private equity firms in Chevy Chase represent a dynamic landscape of strategic investment opportunities. Their nuanced approach to transforming enterprises underscores the potential for meaningful value creation. As the market continues evolving, these firms will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping regional economic development.
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