# Transom Capital Group

Transom Capital Group is an Asset Manager based in El Segundo, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Asset Manager
- **Headquarters:** El Segundo, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Los Angeles, CA, United States
- **Founded:** 2008
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** transomcap.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/transom-capital-group

## Regulatory record

- **CRD number:** 170459
- **SEC file number:** 801-110356
- **Registration status:** APPROVED
- **Latest Form ADV filing:** 2026-05-20T05:00:00.000Z
- **Reports private funds:** Yes
- **Private funds reported:** 0
- **IAPD record:** https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/170459

## About

Transom Capital Group is a leading operationally focused private equity firm that invests in companies in the lower-middle market. Our functional expertise, access to capital, and proven ARMOR Value Creation Process combine with management’s industry expertise to create improved operational efficiency, significant top-line growth, cultural transformation and overall distinctive outcomes.

## Sectors

- Enterprise Software
- Industrial Tech
- Consumer
- Business Services

## People

- Russ Roenick — Co-Founder and Managing Partner
- Ken Firtel — Co-Founder and Managing Partner

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Transom Capital Group?

Co-founders Russ Roenick and Ken Firtel lead the firm as managing partners and make all final investment decisions. Both previously worked at large institutional investment firms before launching Transom in 2008. The investment committee also draws on senior members of the firm's operations group, reflecting the hybrid dealmaker-operator structure.

### How does Transom actually implement operational improvements at portfolio companies?

Transom maintains a salaried Buyside Operations Group rather than relying on a loose network of external operating advisors. Team members take interim C-suite roles, lead restructurings and deploy the firm's ARMOR Value Creation Framework across acquisitions. This dedicated staffing model lets the firm pursue deals requiring immediate operational intervention that other sponsors avoid.

### What types of sellers does Transom typically buy from?

The firm targets corporate orphans, divestitures from larger companies, founder successions and stressed balance-sheet situations. Sellers often include public companies shedding non-core divisions, retiring family-business owners and lenders looking for a sponsor with operational turnaround capability rather than financial engineering.

### Does Transom participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

Transom operates exclusively as a direct private equity buyer, running commingled blind-pool funds. The firm does not act as a limited partner in other sponsors' vehicles or run a fund-of-funds program. Institutional allocators gain exposure only through primary commitments to its flagship buyout funds.

### Which sectors does Transom avoid or de-emphasize?

The firm maintains a generalist mandate within its core areas — enterprise software, industrial technology, consumer and business services — but consistently avoids regulated healthcare, financial services, upstream energy and real estate. Its operating playbook favors sectors with recurring revenue, fragmented ownership and clear operational levers.

### How should an allocator think about Transom's operational model versus a traditional middle-market buyout fund?

The key distinction is staffing: Transom's operators are W-2 employees, not consultants, and they sit inside the general partnership rather than serving as external advisors. This structure means the firm carries higher fixed costs but can intervene faster and deeper when a portfolio company needs executive-level turnaround work — a tradeoff that shows up most clearly in carve-outs and distressed-operator deals.

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- [Transmedia Capital](https://altss.com/profile/transmedia-capital)
- [Trans-Pacific Technology Fund](https://altss.com/profile/trans-pacific-technology-fund)

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

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