What Does Kelso & Company Do?

Total employees76
HeadquartersNew York
Founded1971

Kelso & Company, L.P. is one of the oldest and most established private equity firms in the United States, founded in 1971 by Louis O. Kelso, an early advocate of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). The firm focuses on partnering with strong management teams to make equity investments in middle-market companies across a range of industries, including industrials, consumer, healthcare, business services, and financial services. Kelso & Company is known for its long-term investment horizon, its collaborative approach with management, and its history of successful buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth capital financings. They primarily invest in businesses in North America and have a strong track record of building value in their portfolio companies.

Where Is Kelso & Company's Headquarters?

HQ Function

The headquarters serves as the central hub for Kelso & Company's investment activities, including deal origination, due diligence, portfolio company oversight, fundraising, and investor relations.

Notable Features:

Located in a prestigious Park Avenue office building, the headquarters offers modern facilities and a professional environment conducive to high-level financial operations. Specific architectural details of the office space are private.

Work Culture:

The work culture at Kelso & Company's headquarters is characterized by intellectual rigor, collaboration, and a results-driven approach, typical of a leading private equity firm. It fosters a demanding yet rewarding environment focused on analytical decision-making and partnership with management teams.

HQ Significance:

Its New York City location provides Kelso & Company with unparalleled access to financial markets, industry expertise, deal flow, and a deep talent pool, reinforcing its position in the private equity landscape.

Values Reflected in HQ: The prime location, professional setting, and functional design of the headquarters reflect Kelso's commitment to excellence, integrity, discretion, and its status as a distinguished private equity partner.

Location:

Kelso & Company is headquartered in New York and primarily focuses its investment activities on middle-market companies based in North America. While its direct office presence is concentrated, its portfolio companies often have global operations, and Kelso supports their international expansion strategies. The firm's capital is raised from a diverse, global base of Limited Partners, including institutions from around the world.

Street Address:

320 Park Avenue, 24th Floor

City:

New York

State/Province:

NY

Country:

USA

Where Else Does Kelso & Company Operate Around the World?

No additional office locations available.

Buying Intent Signals for Kelso & Company

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
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Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading Kelso & Company? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, Kelso & Company' leadership includes:

Chris Collins - Co-Chief Executive Officer
Hank Mannix - Co-Chief Executive Officer
Frank T. Nickell - Co-Chairman
Michael B. Goldberg - Co-Chairman
James J. Connors - Partner
Lynn M. Alexander - Partner and Chief Financial Officer

Who's Investing in Kelso & Company?

Kelso & Company has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

Primarily institutional investors such as public and private pension funds, corporate pension funds, endowments, foundations, sovereign wealth funds, and family offices. Specific Limited Partners are generally not publicly disclosed.

What Leadership Changes Has Kelso & Company Seen Recently?

Hire0
Exits0

In late 2023, Kelso & Company announced a significant leadership succession plan. Effective January 1, 2024, Chris Collins and Hank Mannix were appointed Co-Chief Executive Officers. Frank Nickell and Michael Goldberg, who previously served as Co-CEOs, transitioned to the roles of Co-Chairmen of the firm. These changes represent internal promotions and a strategic transition for long-term leadership.

New Appointments:

Chris Collins, Chris Collins appointed Co-Chief Executive Officer, formerly a Managing Partner.
Hank Mannix, Hank Mannix appointed Co-Chief Executive Officer, formerly a Managing Partner.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byKelso & Company?

Discover the tools Kelso & Company uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

Kelso & Company Email Formats and Examples

Kelso & Company commonly utilizes an email format consisting of the employee's first initial followed by their last name @kelsoco.com. This is a standard pattern for many employees at the firm.

flast@kelsoco.com

Format

ccollins@kelsoco.com

Example

85%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About Kelso & Company?

PE HubNovember 2, 2023

Kelso & Company names Collins and Mannix as co-CEOs

Kelso & Company has appointed Chris Collins and Hank Mannix as co-CEOs, effective January 1, 2024. Frank Nickell and Michael Goldberg will transition to co-chairmen roles. Both Collins and Mannix are long-tenured managing partners at the firm, bringing extensive experience to their new leadership positions....more

PR NewswireDecember 5, 2023

Kelso & Company to Acquire Ferraro Foods

Kelso & Company announced its agreement to acquire Ferraro Foods, a prominent specialty distributor of food and foodservice supplies catering to the Italian restaurant and pizzeria market in the Eastern United States. This strategic acquisition aims to support Ferraro's ongoing growth initiatives and market expansion....more

PR NewswireApril 3, 2024

Eagle Foodservice, a Portfolio Company of Kelso & Company, Acquires the Foodservice Steam and Water Business from Watsco, Inc.

Eagle Foodservice Group, a portfolio company of Kelso & Company, announced the acquisition of the foodservice steam and water business from Watsco, Inc. (NYSE: WSO). This acquisition expands Eagle's offerings in the commercial foodservice equipment sector....more

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