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Yellowstone Capital
Yellowstone Capital was established in 1993 by Omar A. Sawaf. He previously served as president of the U.S. subsidiary of Capital Guidance, a global investment...
Yellowstone Capital
Yellowstone Capital was established in 1993 by Omar A. Sawaf. He previously served as president of the U.S. subsidiary of Capital Guidance, a global investment group active in real estate, trade and private equity. The office manages the Sawaf family's capital and operates from Houston with an additional presence in New York. The firm deploys capital through buyouts, growth equity and venture investments. Asset classes include private equity, mezzanine finance and direct company stakes. Confirmed positions involve branded food companies such as Chung's Gourmet Foods. Deals target North America and South America. The approach favors management teams that commit equity alongside the firm and avoids rigid fund lifecycles. Team includes Sami Sawaf as managing partner, Randy Burns as partner and Rick Harris as operating partner. The office maintains the Sawaf Family U.S. Trust and real estate holdings including The Montebello in Houston. Omar A. Sawaf remains senior advisor. No recent operational events disclosed in the prior 24 months. Yellowstone uses its own capital exclusively for investments and incorporates outside capital only strategically. This structure allows rapid decision-making without limited partner approvals or fixed fund terms. The model ties investment outcomes directly to the founding family's balance sheet and operating partners drawn from portfolio companies.
General information
Firm type
Single Family Office
Year founded
1993
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Houston
Corporate office
Houston, TX, United States
Additional offices
New York
Principals
Sami Sawaf
Managing Partner
Randy Burns
Partner
Rick Harris
Operating Partner
Omar A. Sawaf
Senior Advisor
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Yellowstone Capital?
Sami Sawaf serves as managing partner and oversees all operations and strategic initiatives. Omar A. Sawaf acts as senior advisor. Randy Burns and Rick Harris support deal execution and portfolio operations.
How does Yellowstone Capital source proprietary deal flow?
The firm relies on existing management teams and industry operating partners. It also draws on relationships from Omar A. Sawaf's prior work at Capital Guidance and the Baker Institute Roundtable.
Is Yellowstone Capital structured as a single family office or does it operate more like a venture firm?
It functions as a single family office that also executes private equity transactions. The office uses its own capital for both majority buyouts and minority venture investments.
Does Yellowstone Capital participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
Yellowstone makes direct investments in companies. It employs its own capital and strategically includes others on a deal-by-deal basis rather than committing to external funds.
What investment stages does Yellowstone Capital typically target?
The firm targets management buyouts, recapitalizations, succession situations and early-stage venture investments. Target companies generally generate $10-50 million in revenue.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
Wealth originated from Omar A. Sawaf's prior leadership at Capital Guidance in real estate, international trade and private equity.
What is Yellowstone Capital's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?
The firm acts as lead investor and prefers to sponsor management teams directly. It maintains flexibility to structure transactions without external fund constraints.
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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