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SouthernCarlson
SouthernCarlson is an Omaha-based multi-family office managing the Carlson family fortune, investing across private equity, real estate, and hedge funds.
SouthernCarlson
SouthernCarlson was founded in 1997 as the Carlson family's investment and advisory arm, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. The firm serves the Carlson family alongside a small number of related families and institutions, a structure that allows it to operate with the discretion of a single-family office while occasionally accommodating co-investment partners. The firm invests across private equity, venture capital, real estate, private credit, and hedge funds, often taking direct stakes rather than relying solely on fund commitments. Known positions have included industrial and healthcare companies, though the firm maintains a policy of not publicly disclosing its full portfolio. Geographic focus is primarily North America, with selective interests in Europe and Asia. SouthernCarlson employs investment professionals across its Omaha headquarters and maintains a cultural emphasis on patient, long-term capital allocation. It operates The Carlson Family Foundation, a separate philanthropic entity that supports education, health, and community development. One recent operational marker: the firm has increased its direct co-investment activity in the technology and healthcare sectors over the past 24 months (per industry reports, 2025). The firm's structural differentiator is its dual mandate: managing a concentrated, multi-generational family fortune while also offering limited third-party advisory and co-investment access. This hybrid model — rare among family offices of comparable scale — grants SouthernCarlson both the agility of an internal capital pool and the governance rigor of an institutional allocator.
General information
Firm type
Multi Family Office
Year founded
1997
AUM
Estimated $10B–$25B (public record estimate) (Altss estimate)
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Omaha
Corporate office
Omaha, NE, United States
Principals
David W. Kenny
Chief Executive Officer
C. Michael Jacobi
Chief Investment Officer
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at SouthernCarlson?
David W. Kenny serves as the Chief Executive Officer and oversees overall strategy, while C. Michael Jacobi is the Chief Investment Officer responsible for the firm's portfolio allocation. The firm's leadership combines institutional investment discipline with the long-term orientation typical of a family office (per public record).
How does SouthernCarlson source proprietary deal flow?
SouthernCarlson sources deals through its network of relationships in private equity, venture capital, and real estate, leveraging its reputation as a patient, less constrained capital partner. The firm's Omaha base and multi-family structure provide access to opportunities that may not be broadly marketed to financial institutions.
Is SouthernCarlson structured as a single family office or does it operate more like an asset manager?
SouthernCarlson operates as a multi-family office, managing capital primarily for the Carlson family while also serving a select number of other families and institutions. It functions more like a private investment firm than a traditional asset manager, with the flexibility to make direct investments and co-investments alongside external partners.
What investment stages does SouthernCarlson typically target?
SouthernCarlson targets a range of stages across its multi-asset portfolio, with a focus on private equity (growth buyouts and buy-and-build strategies), venture capital (early to growth-stage companies), real estate (core, value-add, and opportunistic), and hedge funds (multi-strategy and event-driven). The firm does not focus on early-stage venture or start-up incubation.
Does SouthernCarlson participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
SouthernCarlson uses both fund commitments and direct deals. The firm allocates capital to selected external managers across its asset classes, while also pursuing direct co-investments in private companies and real estate. Its direct-deal track record includes industrial and healthcare investments (per public record).
Which sectors does SouthernCarlson explicitly avoid?
SouthernCarlson has not publicly disclosed a list of excluded sectors. However, given its focus on long-term value creation and alignment with the Carlson family's values, it generally avoids speculative or high-frequency trading strategies. The firm does not typically invest in pure-play cryptocurrency or venture-stage-only vehicles.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The underlying wealth originates from the Carlson family, whose fortune was built through the Carlson Companies, a global hospitality, travel, and marketing conglomerate founded by Curtis L. Carlson. The family's wealth is now managed by SouthernCarlson, which operates independently of the operating companies.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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