Family Offices in Tennessee

First Avenue Partners is a family office-backed private investment firm located in Nashville, Tennessee, that invests in emerging growth companies throughout the United States. Founded in 1998 by David Wilds, the firm is actively investing its second fund with over $70 million in committed capital. First Avenue targets non-control equity investments in growth and expansion-stage businesses, management-led buyouts, and recapitalizations in the healthcare, consumer, distribution, and logistics sectors.

KWC Management is an investment firm that focuses on a long-term portfolio strategy aimed at capital appreciation rather than current income. The firm emphasizes nurturing client relationships and empowering its staff to achieve enduring value. While KWC Management is the investment management arm, it operates under the broader umbrella of Kemmons Wilson Companies, a family office with a rich legacy.The firm's roots trace back to Kemmons and Dorothy Wilson, the founders of the iconic Holiday Inn hotel chain. KWC Management is currently led by the third generation of the Wilson family, who are committed to upholding the entrepreneurial spirit and convictions of their founders. This legacy is central to the firm's identity, influencing its investment philosophy and commitment to community involvement.KWC Management has a strong focus on hospitality investments. Notable investments include the acquisition of Montage Kapalua Bay in Hawaii, The Mining Exchange in Colorado Springs, Homewood Suites in Jackson Hole, WY, Windham Mountain Resort in New York, and The Harpeth hotel in Franklin, TN. The firm also manages funds such as Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Partners (KWHP) and Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Partners II (KWHP II), with the latter closing at $213 million in August 2023. Beyond hospitality, the broader Kemmons Wilson Companies has also been involved in consumer-facing companies like Billy Reid, Central BBQ, Loeffler Randall, and Howler Brothers.The team at KWC Management comprises professionals with diverse expertise in areas such as hospitality and private investments, portfolio management, acquisitions, asset management, and investor relations. Key team members include Webb Wilson (CEO and CIO), Kem Wilson, III (Principal and President of Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Partners), McLean Wilson (Principal and Managing Partner of Kemmons Wilson Hospitality Partners), and David Rochefort (Senior VP of Asset Management). Their collective experience spans various aspects of investment, real estate, and hospitality, reflecting the firm's multifaceted approach to building and sustaining wealth.