# Compass Diversified

Compass Diversified is a Private Equity based in Westport, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Private Equity
- **Headquarters:** Westport, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 301 Riverside Ave., 2nd Floor, Westport, CT 06880
- **Founded:** 1998
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** compassdiversified.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-compass-group-inc

## Regulatory record

- **CRD number:** 168422
- **SEC file number:** 801-78327
- **Registration status:** Registered
- **Reports private funds:** No
- **IAPD record:** https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/168422

## About

Compass Group is an SEC-registered investment adviser in Westport, CT, registered since 2013. It manages approximately $3.0 billion in regulatory assets. The firm has 25 employees and 7 investment advisers.

## Offices

- Costa Mesa, CA

## People

- Elias Sabo — Partner & Chief Executive Officer
- Stephen Keller — Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
- Zach Sawtelle — Partner & Chief Operating Officer, Compass Group Management LLC
- Ryan Thorp — Partner, Compass Group Management LLC

## Questions

### How is Compass Diversified different from a conventional private equity firm?

CODI is a publicly traded holding company, not a fund manager. It does not raise blind-pool funds with finite lives or return commitments. Instead, it deploys permanent equity capital from its balance sheet and bond issuances to acquire and hold middle-market businesses indefinitely, eliminating forced sale timelines and giving management teams a stable long-term owner.

### Who makes investment decisions at Compass Diversified?

Elias Sabo, the firm’s CEO since 2018, leads the investment and portfolio strategy alongside partners within Compass Group Management LLC. The management group’s partners, including Zach Sawtelle and Ryan Thorp, oversee origination, due diligence, and operational oversight for each platform investment.

### Does Compass Diversified raise capital from outside investors?

CODI raises capital through public equity offerings and corporate bond issuances, not through private fund commitments from limited partners. Its NYSE listing provides the vehicle. Retail and institutional investors access the firm by purchasing shares, giving them exposure to the underlying subsidiary cash flows.

### How does Compass Diversified exit investments?

Because CODI has no fund-life clock, exits are discretionary and strategic. Divestitures occur when a subsidiary has maximized its value under CODI’s ownership or a bidder offers a premium that the firm believes exceeds ongoing hold value. Recent divestitures include Ergobaby and Marucci Sports, each sold to strategic or financial buyers as stand-alone transactions.

### What is Compass Group Management LLC’s role?

Compass Group Management LLC is the management entity that runs day-to-day operations for CODI and its subsidiaries. Its partners — including Elias Sabo, Zach Sawtelle, and Ryan Thorp — are responsible for deal origination, portfolio oversight, and the strategic direction of each subsidiary.

## Related profiles

- [The Alternative](https://altss.com/profile/the-alternative)
- [The Delta](https://altss.com/profile/the-delta)

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

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