More Than Capital
We invest in companies long-term, to help them reach their full potential.
A Strong Foundation
We started Four Pillars based on our shared values and what we want our company to stand for.
We purchase and operate small businesses with the intention of owning the business for the long-term. Though we seek involvement in our investments, our intention is to support without becoming a burden. It is our intention to work together with company management to achieve shared success.
Our Values Guide Our Actions
The mutual journey towards success, however that is defined, will feature ups and downs, twists and turns, and a few forks in the road. Our values are not intended to be prescriptive. Rather, they are intended to serve as a resource to reference when we encounter difficult decisions, be those ethical, strategic, operational, or a new challenge.
Relentless Advocates for the Common Good
Every decision we make is grounded by our deep commitment to doing what is right, and in the best interests of our portfolio company and investment partners.
Creative Positioning Approach
Informed and agile strategic planning that puts capital and resources to work in order to capitalize on key differentiators and leverage company advantages.
Vision
The team at Four Pillars is guided by a set of values that truly set the company apart. Strategic focus and a strong culture allow us to create a compelling mix of unparalleled service quality, deep commitment to the best interests of our partners, and an entrepreneurial spirit that aligns us with the talented and highly productive individuals and companies that we serve.
Entrepreneurial Approach
As entrepreneurs ourselves, we connect deeply with the companies we serve, allowing us to approach each business relationship with a balanced perspective and the tenacity needed to be successful. Our relentless drive to identify opportunities and grow, coupled with our reputation for integrity and hard work, makes Four Pillars the ideal investment partner for businesses that are looking to excel.
Ability and Agility
We move quickly and with purpose, focused intently on streamlining the transactional process while maintaining operational precision at all stages. Our experience in both the healthy and distressed markets has allowed us to confidently thrive in complexity, executing various deal types with confidence and precision, while establishing ourselves as leading investors to companies looking to capitalize on their momentum.
Our Values Guide Our Actions
We share four values, or pillars, that guide our personal and professional decisions:
PILLAR 1
Relationships as a Cornerstone for Success
We believe that strong relationships are the cornerstone for success as individuals and the company as a whole. To build strong relationships, we refer to our motto, “Do what you say and say what you do.” By living our motto, we help to develop mutual trust.
PILLAR 2
Challenge the Status Quo
We don’t seek change simply for the sake of change. We look at each situation critically and objectively in order to determine what the business does well and should continue, and to identify which practices and processes need improvement, or perhaps to be abandoned altogether.
PILLAR 3
Servant Leadership
We believe that the essence of servant leadership is that each individual should seek to serve the greater good. That might mean meeting a project deadline, cultivating a new sales prospect, or developing an individual. Teamwork, collaboration, and the sharing of decision-making are inherent in servant leadership.
PILLAR 4
Persistence
Getting a deal closed requires persistence. Managing a business requires persistence over the long-term. No matter which perspective it is, our hard-working and intrinsically motivated natures help us overcome obstacles and achieve our objectives.
Nick McLean Partner
Background: Operations management with an emphasis on Lean manufacturing; strategy development and execution; and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
Which of the Four Pillars do you identify most closely with? Servant leadership. I consider one of the primary roles of a manager/leader to be to help those around you be more successful and to develop as individuals. When I think of myself as a leader, I am more interested in granting and sharing authority than hoarding it.
Thomas Sanford Partner
Background: Experience in quantitative finance, operational roles, mergers and acquisitions (M&A); with a strong focus on technology, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
What drew you to the private equity industry? After several years in finance, I wanted to move to the front line of building and advancing companies. It’s important for me to help augment the U.S. and global economies through the long-term stewardship of companies by growing sales and the employee base. Four Pillars is successfully able to transition and grow companies through our expertise, capital, industry knowledge, and network.