Alex gart
GART CAPITAL PARTNERS / PARTNER
303-801-3542
303-333-1933
ehardie@gartproperties.com

Alex leads Gart Capital Partners focusing primarily on managing existing investments, sourcing, and executing new private equity transactions. Prior to joining The Gart Companies, Alex was a Vice President at Willis Stein & Partners, a Chicago based middle market private equity firm that has raised over $3 billion across four funds. Alex focused on the firm’s investments in Niche Manufacturing, Telecom Infrastructure and Financial/Business Services. Previously he was an associate with Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investors and an investment banking analyst with Canaccord Genuity in Boston. Alex holds an MBA from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University and a B.A in Neuroscience, magna cum laude, from Middlebury College. Alex is a passionate fly fisherman and outdoor enthusiast. He loves spending time in the mountains with wife Megan and their son Meyer.

Kyle Webb
Managing Director, Gart Capital Partners
720.279.3980

Kyle joined Gart Capital Partners in April 2019 and manages current GCP investments as well as assists with the sourcing and execution of new GCP investments. Prior to joining GCP, Kyle was a co-founder and Chief Development and Financial Officer at EVP Eyecare in Denver, a multi-state owner/operator of eye care clinics and surgery centers. Kyle previously was a private equity investment professional with Waud Capital Partners, a Chicago based middle market private equity firm, and Centerfield Capital Partners, an Indianapolis based private equity and mezzanine debt investment firm. Kyle began his career in M&A investment banking at Robert W. Baird in their Chicago office, focused on Consumer and Diversified Industrial companies. Kyle holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Indiana University.

Outside of work, Kyle enjoys spending time in the mountains skiing, hiking, fishing and biking with his wife Samantha, kids Sloan and Mason, and their dog Rocky.

Thomas Gart
GART COMPANIES / Principal
303-333-1933
ehardie@gartproperties.com

Tom has been President of The Gart Companies since 1993. His business career started at Gart Brothers Sporting Goods Company, a three-generation family owned and operated corporation founded in 1927 by his grandfather. He was President and Chief Operating Officer from 1985 to 1993, when the company was sold. In 1992, he founded The Gart Companies with his two brothers, Ken and John. Tom is currently a board member of Gart Properties, First Western Trust Bank, Trelora Real Estate Company, Golf TEC, and Work World.  In addition, he is a board member of  National Jewish Health, where he was formerly the Board Chair.  Tom was formerly on the board of  The Colorado Nature Conservancy, Beth Nehamah Hospice, Colorado Succeeds, and Shalom Park. He is a member of The World Presidents Organization (WPO) and was a YPO member for 20 years. Tom graduated from Stanford University with honors in 1980 where he was Student Body Co-President. He received an MBA from Harvard University Graduate School of Business in 1984. In addition to his community and business activities, Tom is a passionate outdoorsman, skier, fly fisherman, Iron Man Triathlete, Race Across America 4-man team winner, and endurance athlete.  He is married to Marjorie Gart and has three married children, four grandchildren, and two labs.

John Gart
GART COMPANIES / PRINCIPAL
jgart@gartco.com
303-333-1933
ehardie@gartproperties.com

John has been a partner at The Gart Companies since its inception in 1992.  He graduated from Lake Forest College outside of Chicago (B.A., 1984). He has been active in civic and philanthropic endeavors in Denver for over 30 years, having served in leadership roles at Visit Denver, Denver’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, Craig Hospital, the Western Golf Association, among many others.  He is a passionate golfer, skier and fly fisherman.  John and his wife, Martha, have one son, Evan, who works at Gart Properties.

John Gart
GART COMPANIES / PRINCIPAL
303-333-1933
ehardie@gartproperties.com

John has been a partner at The Gart Companies since its inception in 1992.  He graduated from Lake Forest College outside of Chicago (B.A., 1984). He has been active in civic and philanthropic endeavors in Denver for over 30 years, having served in leadership roles at Visit Denver, Denver’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, Craig Hospital, the Western Golf Association, among many others.  He is a passionate golfer, skier and fly fisherman.  John and his wife, Martha, have one son, Evan, who works at Gart Properties.

Ken Gart
GART COMPANIES / Principal
303-333-1933
ehardie@gartproperties.com

Ken has been a partner at The Gart Companies since its inception in 1992.  Prior to The Gart Companies, Ken was Co-President and Chief Merchandising Officer at Gart Bros. Sporting Goods, a family-owned and operated corporation, from 1983 to 1992.  Ken started Specialty Sports Venture, LLC (SSV) in 1994 and built it to over 140 stores and into the nation’s leading specialty ski and bicycle retailer.  SSV included Aspen Sports, Telluride Sports, Boulder Ski Deals, Colorado Ski and Golf and roughly 30 other trade names.  The company was sold to Vail Resorts in 2010.

Ken was chairman of the Board of Denver Bike Sharing (DBA B-Cycle) where he was appointed to the position by Governor John Hickenlooper.  Denver B-Cycle was the first major city-wide bike sharing to launch in the US.  Ken is currently chair of the Board for RPM Events Group which owns the Colorado Classic.  The Colorado Classic is a women’s only global professional cycling competition.  

Ken has held various memberships, directorships and chairmanships with The Nature Conservancy, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Telluride Foundation, Colorado Conservation Trust, Denver Area Council Boy Scouts of America, Denver Metro Boys & Girls Clubs and the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Further, he serves on numerous other non-profit boards and committees.

Ken Attended Claremont Men’s College and graduated from Middlebury College and Stanford Graduate School of Business.  He and his wife Rebecca have three children.  Ken is an athlete, having climbed over 30 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks, and is an enthusiast in the sports of skiing and cycling.

Josh Pellant
GART COMPANIES / GENERAL COUNSEL
-
303-333-1933
ehardie@gartproperties.com

Josh joined The Gart Companies as General Counsel in March 2023, overseeing all legal issues for The Gart Companies, Gart Properties, and Gart Capital Partners.   Prior to joining The Gart Companies, Josh was in house counsel for CorePower Yoga, where he focused primarily on the company’s real estate portfolio.  Previously, he was an attorney at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, an international law firm.  Josh attended the University of Idaho, where he obtained his undergraduate degree in business followed by his Juris Doctorate

Hometown: Boise, Idaho

Interests outside of work: Josh is an avid cyclist and skier and enjoys doing all things outdoors with his wife, three daughters, and Bernese mountain dog.

Holt Biedermann
Investment Associate, Gart Capital Partners
-

Holt joined Gart Capital Partners in June 2022 as an Investment Associate. Prior to joining GCP, Holt worked as a Financial Analyst for Koelbel and Company in Denver, focusing on value-add commercial real estate acquisitions. Holt previously worked as a financial analyst and key account manager in Houston for Tenaris, a large steel pipe manufacturing and services company primarily serving the energy industry. Holt holds an MBA from the Leeds School of Business at CU Boulder and a B.B.A. in Finance from Texas A&M University.

Hometown: San Angelo, TX

Interest outside of work: Holt is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys climbing, skiing, fly fishing, and cycling. He loves traveling and spending time in the Rocky Mountains with his wife Rylee, daughter Nora and dog Bodhi.

David St. Germain
GART COMPANIES / CFO
303-777-1920
303-333-1933
ehardie@gartproperties.com

David returned to work for The Gart Companies in March 2017 and currently oversees the finance and accounting function as CFO for The Gart Companies and Gart Properties.  David was previously the Controller of Specialty Sports Venture, the sporting goods retail business of the Gart family from 1996-2010.  From 2010-2014, David continued his Controller role at Vail Resorts for their retail division. David initially worked for Ernst & Young out of college, after graduating from Regis University with a bachelor's degree in Accounting.  David is a Colorado native and grew up in Arvada, and is married with three boys.  David loves the all the outdoor activities that Colorado has to offer, particularly cycling and hiking, and traveling both in and out of Colorado with his family.

Bridget Duggan
GART COMPANIES / LEGAL EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
303-336-0289
303-333-1933
ehardie@gartproperties.com

Bridget joined The Gart Companies in January 2020 to assist the Gart executive team and work as a paralegal in the legal department. Bridget has over 20 years’ experience working in law firms and is excited be working in the private sector.  She graduated from Metropolitan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and holds a paralegal certificate.

Hometown: Colorado native that wouldn't dream of living anywhere else.

Interests outside of work: Bridget lives in Centennial with her husband and enjoys travel, gardening, reading, paddle boarding and time outdoors.  Spending time with her grandchildren is pretty high on her list too.

GolfTec
CONSUMER SERVICES
DENVER, CO
CONSUMER SERVICES
MESA,CO

Investments: 2001, 2008, 2009, 2015

Status: Exited

Gart Capital Partners (GCP) first invested in GolfTEC when the company had 6 locations. Over 15+ years of partnership, GolfTEC has expanded to 120+ corporate owned locations across the US and significant franchising agreements internationally. In 2018, GCP helped bring on a strategic partner in Golf Digest Online Inc. (3319.T) to help drive further investments in technology, customer experience and geographic expansion.

First Western Financial
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
DENVER, CO
CONSUMER SERVICES
MESA,CO

Stock Listing Date: July 2018

Ticker: Nasdaq GS: MYFW

Status: Founding Investor and Board Seat

First Western Financial, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Denver, Colorado providing a fully integrated suite of wealth management services on a private trust bank platform, which includes a comprehensive selection of deposit, loan, trust, wealth planning and investment management products and services.

Powderhorn Mountain Resort
CONSUMER SERVICES
MESA, CO
CONSUMER SERVICES
MESA,CO

Investments: 2011, 2014, 2018

Status: Current Portfolio Company

Powderhorn Mountain Resort is a family-friendly, four-season resort with over 1,600 acres of breathtaking beauty on the world’s largest flat top mountain. Located on the northern edge of Western Colorado's beautiful Grand Mesa near Grand Junction. Skiers and riders of all abilities enjoy the mountain’s two terrain parks and 42 trails, featuring over 70% beginner and intermediate terrain. In addition to the resort operations, Powderhorn is developing a unique alternative lodging portfolio in support of affordable mountain living and recreating experiences.

La Plata Capital
PRIVATE LENDER
DENVER, CO
CONSUMER SERVICES
MESA,CO

Investments: October 2023

Status: Preferred Stock Investor and Investment Committee Member

La Plata is a private direct lender making both senior and mezzanine loans to established small businesses on the path to the middle market.

Trelora
CONSUMER SERVICES
DENVER, CO
SPECIALTY RETAIL
VACAVILLE, CA

Investments: April 2016, January 2019, January 2020

Status: Exited

Trelora is changing the way that residential real estate is bought and sold in the U.S. with a business model combining flat fees, non-commissioned, full-service agents, and a software platform that provides complete transparency into the sale process.

Trelora was merged with Houwzer in 2022

Swoozies
SPECIALTY RETAIL
ATLANTA, GA
SPECIALTY RETAIL
VACAVILLE, CA

Status: Exited

Swoozie’s is a multi-channel retailer with 10+ locations across the Southern US markets offering a one-stop shopping experience for gift, stationery, and personalization needs for all of life’s celebratory events and occasions. The Company’s merchandising expertise is supplemented by a focus on product design and development that continues to deliver accelerated penetration of proprietary product offerings across categories, with an emphasis on personalization

Beau-coup
SPECIALTY RETAIL - ECOMMERCE ONLY
LOS ALTOS, CA

Status: Exited

SPECIALTY RETAIL
VACAVILLE, CA

Beau-coup is a premium online retailer and designer of unique and quality party favors, supplies, decorations and gifts for all of life's special occasions, including, among others, weddings, bridal showers, babyshowers and birthdays.

Bag ‘N Baggage
SPECIALTY RETAIL
HOUSTON, TX

Status: Exited

SPECIALTY RETAIL
VACAVILLE, CA

Gart Capital Partners (GCP), in partnership with Colorado Baggage, a 10 store specialty travel goods retailer based in Denver, acquired out of bankruptcy 34 additional stores operating in 12 states under the Bag’n Baggage brand name.  The new company was renamed Colorado Bag’n Baggage (CBNB). CBNB was merged with Magellan’s Travel Supplies, a Santa Barbara based catalog and retailer specializing in innovative travel products and accessories targeting frequent travelers.

Running Specialty Group
SPECIALTY RETAIL
DENVER, CO

Status: Exited

SPECIALTY RETAIL
VACAVILLE, CA

Finish Line (Nasdaq: FINL) and Gart Capital Partners (GCP) officially launched a strategic partnership to form Running Specialty Group (RSG), a leading specialty running retail business with 19 well-established stores, eventually including the renowned Boulder Running Company. The company has grown to a network of over 75 specialty running stores in 16 states and the District of Columbia under the JackRabbit, The Running Company, Run On!, Blue Mile, Boulder Running Company, Running Spot, Running Fit, VA Runner, Capital RunWalk, RoadRunner, Garry Gribble’s, Run Colorado, Raleigh Running Outfitters, Striders and Indiana Running Company banners.

Specialty Sports
SPECIALTY RETAIL
BROOMFIELD, CO

Status: Exited

SPECIALTY RETAIL
VACAVILLE, CA

After re-entering the ski business in 1993 with the acquisitions of Colordo Ski and Golf and Telluride Sports, in 1995 The Gart Family established a joint venture with Vail Resorts (NYSE:MTN), known as Specialty Sports Venture.  SSV grew through acquisition, brand-specific partnerships and de-novo openings as Vail Resorts expanded their resort base. By 2010, with over 150 specialty ski, cycling, golf and fly fishing stores in Colorado, Utah and Northern California, the family sold their interest in SSV to Vail Resorts.

Gart Bros. Sporting Goods Company

SPECIALTY RETAIL
DENVER, CO

Status: Exited

SPECIALTY RETAIL
VACAVILLE, CA

The Gart Family's original family business founded in the 1920s. Through the 70s and 80s Gart was a leading example of big-box, specialty retail with the iconic Sports Castle in downtown Denver. The company expanded to over 70 locations through new store openings and regional acquisitions before The Gart Family exited. Ultimately, Gart Brothers was a publically traded business under the Gart Sports banner and was merged with The Sports Authority through a LBO sponsored by Leonard Green & Partners, a California based private equity firm.

Thomas Gart
GART COMPANIES / Principal
tgart@gartco.com
303-333-1933
ehardie@gartproperties.com

Tom has been President of The Gart Companies since 1993. His business career started at Gart Brothers Sporting Goods Company, a three-generation family owned and operated corporation founded in 1927 by his grandfather. He was President and Chief Operating Officer from 1985 to 1993, when the company was sold. In 1992, he founded The Gart Companies with his two brothers, Ken and John. Tom is currently a board member of Gart Properties, First Western Trust Bank, Trelora Real Estate Company, Golf TEC, and Work World.  In addition, he is a board member of  National Jewish Health, where he was formerly the Board Chair.  Tom was formerly on the board of  The Colorado Nature Conservancy, Beth Nehamah Hospice, Colorado Succeeds, and Shalom Park. He is a member of The World Presidents Organization (WPO) and was a YPO member for 20 years. Tom graduated from Stanford University with honors in 1980 where he was Student Body Co-President. He received an MBA from Harvard University Graduate School of Business in 1984. In addition to his community and business activities, Tom is a passionate outdoorsman, skier, fly fisherman, and a 5-time Ironman triathlon finisher and endurance athlete.  He is married to Marjorie Gart and has three married children, two grandchildren, and a black lab.

Thomas Gart
GART COMPANIES / Principal
tgart@gartco.com
303-333-1933
ehardie@gartproperties.com

Tom has been President of The Gart Companies since 1993. His business career started at Gart Brothers Sporting Goods Company, a three-generation family owned and operated corporation founded in 1927 by his grandfather. He was President and Chief Operating Officer from 1985 to 1993, when the company was sold. In 1992, he founded The Gart Companies with his two brothers, Ken and John. Tom is currently a board member of Gart Properties, First Western Trust Bank, Trelora Real Estate Company, Golf TEC, and Work World.  In addition, he is a board member of  National Jewish Health, where he was formerly the Board Chair.  Tom was formerly on the board of  The Colorado Nature Conservancy, Beth Nehamah Hospice, Colorado Succeeds, and Shalom Park. He is a member of The World Presidents Organization (WPO) and was a YPO member for 20 years. Tom graduated from Stanford University with honors in 1980 where he was Student Body Co-President. He received an MBA from Harvard University Graduate School of Business in 1984. In addition to his community and business activities, Tom is a passionate outdoorsman, skier, fly fisherman, and a 5-time Ironman triathlon finisher and endurance athlete.  He is married to Marjorie Gart and has three married children, two grandchildren, and a black lab.

Gart Capital Partners

ABOUT US
Gart Capital Partners is a private investment partnership focused on investing in closely-held and family-owned businesses. We focus on facilitating ownership transition planning; and strategic future growth.

With over ninety years of collective investing and operating experience, we are true innovative and operational partners rather than passive financial investors. In addition, our patient, family office capital base allows us to be uniquely flexible and focused on the long-term potential of every company in our portfolio.

INVESTMENT FOCUS
We partner with growing, lower middle market consumer and services companies in North America. 

Industry Focus:

-  Consumer Services
-  Specialty Retail   
-  Consumer Products
-  Health and Wellness
-  Consumer-Driven Healthcare
-  Business Services 

Target Financial Criteria

- Revenues between $10 - $100 million
- Earnings or free-cash flow of $1- $7 million
- Typically founder or family-owned and operated business with strong management seeking a value-add partner for growth or transition planning
- Sustainable margins with substantial growth potential
- Add-on acquisitions to existing platforms of any size

Typical Transaction Structures:

- Control investments in management buyouts and recapitalizations
- Selective meaningful and strategic minority equity investments for growth capital
- Target equity investment size of $5 - $20 million
- Prudent use of leverage to navigate through business cycles and to enable operating and capital investments for growth

Partnership

We help management teams build-out more expansive core competencies and develop long-term, strategic growth plans. Ways in which we partner with management teams to drive value include:

Growth Initiatives

Acquisition sourcing, geographic expansion, strategic partnerships, sales and marketing development.

Talent Development

Executive team development, advisory board development, compensation and incentive programs.

Digital Transformation

Systems evaluation, process optimization, data-driven decision making.

Best Practices

Corporate governance, financial systems and cash flow planning, strategic planning, and KPI development.

Capital Markets

Banking relationships, acquisition structuring, and exit guidance.

Current Companies
PAST COMPANIES
THE TEAM
Alex Gart

Partner, Gart Capital Partners

Kyle Webb

Managing Director, Gart Capital Partners

Thomas Gart

Principal

Ken Gart

Principal

John Gart

Principal

David St. Germain

CFO

Holt Bierdmann

Investment Associate, Gart Capital Partners

Josh Pellant

General Counsel

Bridget Duggan

Legal Executive Assistant

Gart Capital Partners is actively seeking to invest in new opportunities. Please reach out to our acquisitions team if you have an opportunity that fits our investment criteria.
Alex Gart
agart@gartco.com
Kyle Webb
kwebb@gartco.com
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