# Knell Family Office

Knell Family Office is a Multi Family Office based in Pasadena, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Multi Family Office
- **Headquarters:** Pasadena, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 117 E Colorado Blvd, Suite 400, Pasadena, CA 91105
- **Founded:** 1986
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** kcbpem.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/knellcompany

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Harvey G. Knell established the firm after decades as an operator at home improvement chains including Ole’s Home Centers and Grace Home Centers West. The family office structure supports multiple family branches through KCB Management while executing private equity and real estate strategies. KCB Private Equity acquires control stakes in small and medium-sized companies across the United States and Canada. Target businesses generate $20 million to $100 million in recurring revenue and operate in retail, consumer products, business services, healthcare services, for-profit education, light manufacturing, and value-added distribution. Confirmed holdings include ThriftBooks and Spiral Binding. The firm also deploys capital into industrial and residential real estate assets in multiple states. Investments occur through direct acquisitions rather than fund commitments. The team includes Peter Knell and Megan Pautler-Gutnikov, who together have deployed over $400 million into 120 real estate properties. Additional professionals handle investor relations and portfolio oversight from the Pasadena headquarters. Harvey and Ellen Knell Foundation conducts separate philanthropic activities. No operational events from the last 24 months appear in public records. KCB maintains a control-oriented mandate that requires substantial management participation alongside its own capital commitment. This structure removes pressure from limited-partner timelines and supports operational involvement through board seats and add-on acquisitions.

## Sectors

- Private Equity
- Real Estate
- Healthcare Services
- EdTech
- Industrial Tech

## People

- Harvey G. Knell — Founder and President
- Peter Knell — Managing Director
- Megan Pautler-Gutnikov — Managing Director and Partner

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Knell Family Office?

Harvey G. Knell serves as founder and president. Peter Knell and Megan Pautler-Gutnikov co-lead the real estate platform and sit on portfolio company boards.

### Does Knell Family Office participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The firm executes direct control acquisitions and real estate investments. It does not raise or commit to external funds.

### What investment stages does Knell Family Office typically target?

KCB targets established small and medium-sized businesses with positive cash flow. It avoids startups, turnarounds, and distressed situations.

### Where does the underlying wealth come from?

Wealth origin is not publicly disclosed beyond the operating history of founder Harvey G. Knell in retail and real estate.

### How is Knell Family Office related to KCB Private Equity?

Knell Family Office conducts its investment activities through the KCB Private Equity platform and KCB Management entity.

### What geographic regions does Knell Family Office cover?

Investments focus on the United States and Canada.

### Does Knell Family Office maintain philanthropic structures?

The Harvey and Ellen Knell Foundation operates separately from investment activities.

## Related profiles

- [Kliff Capital](https://altss.com/profile/kliff-capital)
- [Knop Investments](https://altss.com/profile/knop-investments)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/knell-family-office

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