Our culture and team set us apart

Our culture and team set us apart

Andy Cantwell

As CEO and Managing Partner of Carlson Private Capital, Andy Cantwell is responsible for the firm’s overall strategy, investment portfolio and ongoing management.

Andy and Taylor Moore launched the Carlson Private Capital platform for the Carlson family in late 2018. He has spent approximately thirty years as an investor in the private investment industry; primarily focused on private equity and family capital investing. Prior to leading Carlson Private Capital, Andy was Partner at Norwest Equity Partners, a middle market private equity firm headquartered in Minneapolis. Andy has worked closely with founders, management teams and served on numerous boards of private companies across a variety of industries including industrial, distribution, consumer, building products, and business and tech-enabled services. Andy worked earlier in his career at Northwestern Mutual Capital and ABN AMRO Bank. Andy graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received his M.B.A from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Early jobs and what did you learn most/like best? Paperboy, dishwasher, retail, cleaning golf clubs/picking the driving range. You name it, I probably did it. You learn that every job is important and, no matter the job, that showing up (preferably on time) and putting a smile on your face, building relationships and “doing the hard work” are the keys to success. Doesn’t matter if it’s washing dishes or investing capital.

Where did you grow up? I lived in a small farm town (at least back then; now your it’s your classic suburb), Waunakee, Wisconsin. No stop lights then and only the Waun-a-Bowl, O’Malley’s Farm Café, and a Hardee’s restaurant. My family moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin before my freshman year in high school. Both great places to grow up, test the boundaries of youth, and keep you humble.

Perfect Saturday? Anywhere with my family and five children as those are the most cherished times for me. To be specific though, likely in Madison for a beautiful fall football Saturday capped off with a late afternoon Spotty Cow, or two, on the Memorial Union Terrace after a Badger victory.

What word best defines you? Passionate

What life event best defines you? Losing my father to a sudden heart attack at age 17. He was my mentor and instilled in me a positive attitude no matter what and still gives me the motivation to try to be the best dad and person I can be.

History with your own family businesses? My great, great grandfather who immigrated from Ireland started the Cantwell Printing Company in Madison, Wisconsin in 1867 (after fighting in the Civil War) that was in our family for multiple generations. Sadly, the family lost the business (and almost everything) in the 1950’s and my father and his nine siblings grew up in dire financial straits. I still hear the stories about the business to this day from my uncles and aunts. My older brother owns a bar/restaurant in Madison called the Oakcrest Tavern; always voted a top Fish Fry in Madison (check it out!).

Most influential person to you — personally and professionally? Personally, my dad. Professionally, John Lindahl, the founder of Norwest Equity Partners. He was a great mentor and embodies to me what it means to be a successful business person but an even better, or more successful, person.

What experience or thoughts translate best to a family/founder business? I think an ability to relate. Not only to the owners but also to the employees and their families. My parents worked two jobs; I was a 1980’s “latch key” kid. My dad was a traveling, route-based salesman and my mom was an assembly-line factory worker and retail clerk. I was fortunate to be the first one in my family to graduate from a four-year college and I paid my own way. I think I understand it’s about the people, their families and communities, not just about quarterly financials.

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