company has been investing in north american private equity for over 35 years . kelso benefits from a successful investment track record a long tenured and stable investing team a reputation as a preferred partner to management teams and strategics and a significant alignment of interest with all of our partners . since 1980 kelso has raised a total of nine private equity funds representing 11.2 billion of capital and has made over 115 investments over 90 of which have been exited . kelso was founded in 1971 by louis kelso commonly referred to as the inventor of the employee stock ownership plan or esop . the tenets of kelso s esop heritage including a significant alignment of interest and history of partnership remain key components of the firm s strategy and differentiation . just as the esop represented a solution which aligned management labor and shareholder interests kelso today seeks to partner and create a strong alignment of interest with outstanding management teams corporate and operating partners and investors who are seeking a value added partner . contact print kelso brochure this web site does not constitute an offer of securities or investment advisory services to any person . copyright 2016 by kelso & company .