Team
Josh Collins
Josh has over 30 years of experience in various leadership positions in corporate, private equity, and military organizations. Prior to re-joining Collins Willmott & Co. in 2020, Josh was the Chief Executive Officer of Blount International (formerly NYSE:BLT), a global manufacturing company and a leader in the outdoor power equipment and agricultural equipment sectors, from 2009 to 2020. Josh served on Blount’s board of directors from 2005 to 2020 and served as Chairman of the board of directors from 2010 to 2016, during which period Blount was a publicly traded company.
Prior to joining Blount, Josh co-founded Collins Willmott & Co., a New York based private equity firm, in 2008. At Collins Willmott & Co., he was involved in the formation and investment of two funds, CW Gas Partners, L.P. and CW Gas Partners II, L.P., both focused on investments in the oil and gas exploration and production sector.
Previously, Josh was a Managing Director of Lehman Brothers and a partner of Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking Partners IV L.P. and Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking Partners III L.P. He was also a member of the investment team for Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking Partners II, L.P. Josh’s responsibilities included the sourcing, execution, monitoring, and monetization of fund investments and assisting his partners in making fund investment, disposition, and management decisions. While at Lehman Brothers, Josh played a key role in investments in the industrial, consumer products, media, and energy & natural resources sectors.
Josh has served on numerous corporate boards, including Blount International (formerly NYSE:BLT), Pacific Energy (formerly NYSE: PPX), Evergreen Copyright Acquisitions, Cross Holdings, Superior Highwall Miners, Enduring Resources, Mediterranean Resources, Eagle Energy, and Antero Resources.
Prior to embarking on his corporate career, Josh served from 1987 to 1994 as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps, achieving the rank of captain. He is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm and was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon and Navy Commendation Medal, among other awards and medals.
Josh earned a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A from the Harvard Business School.
David Willmott
David has over 25 years of corporate management, finance, and private equity investing experience. Prior to re-joining Collins Willmott & Co. in 2020, he was the President, Chief Operating Officer, and member of the board of directors of Blount International (formerly NYSE:BLT), a global manufacturing company and a leader in the outdoor power equipment and agricultural equipment sectors, from 2011 to 2020. He previously served as Senior Vice President – Corporate Development and Strategy at Blount International from 2009 to 2011 and led four acquisitions that accelerated the growth of the company.
Prior to joining Blount, David co-founded Collins Willmott & Co., a New York based private equity firm, in 2008. At Collins Willmott & Co., he was involved in the formation and investment of two funds, CW Gas Partners, L.P. and CW Gas Partners II, L.P., both focused on investments in the oil and gas exploration and production sector.
Previously, David was a Managing Director of Lehman Brothers and a partner of Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking Partners IV L.P. and Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking Partners III L.P. He was also a member of the investment team for Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking Partners II L.P. David’s responsibilities included the sourcing, execution, monitoring, and monetization of fund investments and assisting his partners in making fund investment, disposition, and management decisions. While at Lehman Brothers, David played a key role in investments in the industrial, consumer products, media, financial services, and energy services sectors.
David was a financial analyst in the Investment Banking Division of Merrill Lynch & Co. from 1992 to 1995 where he supported the execution of debt and equity financings and M&A advisory assignments.
David has served on numerous corporate boards, including Blount International (formerly NYSE:BLT), Evergreen Copyright Acquisitions, Cross Holdings, Superior Highwall Miners, The Hunter Fan Company, and CP Kelco.
David is a former trustee of the Portland Art Museum, a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council at the University of Memphis - Fogelman College of Business, and Co-Chair of the Williams College Alumni Fund. David earned a B.A. in History from Williams College and an M.B.A from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
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