Jim Gladney founded Liberty Capital Partners in 1994. He is an experienced private equity investor, venture capitalist and CEO who has spent the past 25 years starting up, buying, and building a broad array of over 50 companies domestically and internationally. His industry experience includes hospitality, business services, distribution, real estate & construction, software, franchising, manufacturing and media. He has served for 15 years as the CEO of operating companies and 10 years as the Managing Partner of private equity firms. Mr. Gladney has served on the Boards of Directors of over 25 companies and chaired numerous boards, audit committees, compensation committees and executive committees. He is a recognized expert in the areas of Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Finance, Corporate Advisory, Strategic Planning, Industry Consolidations, Franchising, Real Estate Development, Negotiation, Public Relations and Sales & Marketing.
Mr. Gladney served as the Managing Partner of Park Avenue Equity Partners, a NYC based private equity firm specializing in acquiring middle market companies.
Mr. Gladney was Chairman and CEO of Boston based All Seasons Services, Inc., a leading provider of vending, dining and office refreshment services with over 2000 employees. Mr. Gladney led a management group that acquired All Seasons. Mr. Gladney and his management team then acquired 36 additional companies in the industry executing a successful consolidation strategy. They grew the business from $80 million in revenue to over $200 million and sold the company to a private equity firm, thereby generating a sevenfold return for investors.
Mr. Gladney was Chairman and CEO of Federal Investment Co., Inc. in Providence, RI. Under his leadership, the diversified real estate development company grew to become New England's largest homebuilder, winning the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blue Chip Enterprise Award. Federal Investment Co., Inc. was engaged in the acquisition, design, permitting, development, construction, marketing and management of residential communities and commercial developments across New England. Mr. Gladney has developed significant expertise in leading the permitting process of large and complex real estate development projects while fostering positive relationships with the numerous constituencies involved.
Merrill Lynch and Ernst & Young has named Mr. Gladney a nominee for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award on three separate occasions. Inc. magazine twice named his real estate development company to the Inc. 500 list of the fastest growing privately held companies in the country. Mr. Gladney was selected by the Boston Business Journal for its inaugural “40 Under 40” designation which recognizes the accomplishments of the best and brightest business people under the age of 40.
Mr. Gladney has served as an investor and board member of numerous successful companies conducting business domestically and internationally and currently serves on the boards of RentBits, Liberty Staffing, Armstrong Franklin, Spada Media, and ASP Fire & Specialty Products.
Mr. Gladney is active in several charitable, civic and religious organizations. He has been a lifelong parishioner at St. Luke's Church in Barrington, RI and served for many years on the Parish Council, Finance Committee, Building Committee and other church and school committees. He established the scholarship fund at St. Luke's School. He co-founded and led the St. Luke’s Men's Bible Study and Fellowship Group.. He is a Founding Member of the Providence Chapter of Legatus, a Catholic CEO group and serves on the Legatus International Board of Governors. Mr. Gladney served on the Board of Regents for the Portsmouth Abbey School, a Benedictine Catholic Boarding School and established a scholarship fund for students interested in religious vocations. He served on the Town of Barrington Committee to assess the use of wind turbines as an alternative energy source. He is a member of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society of the United Way. He served on the Brockton Hospital Foundation Board of Directors.
Mr. Gladney has been married for 22 years and has four children. He is an avid golfer and licensed pilot.
Mr. Gladney graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1985 with a B.S. degree in Finance.
