Jared Cohen, a former senior partner at Fortress Investment Group, has joined Star Mountain Capital as a managing director. He will focus on sourcing and managing private market investments on the U.S. West Coast.
Cohen brings more than 25 years of experience in private credit, special situations, and private equity. His background includes leadership roles in investment firms and operational experience in the lower middle-market sector. At Fortress, Cohen served as a partner and managing director in the Credit Funds division, where he worked on investment strategies, restructurings, and insolvency proceedings. Prior to Fortress, he held roles at Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley, specializing in leveraged finance and special situations investing.
Star Mountain Capital, a private investment firm with more than $4 billion in assets under management, focuses on lower middle-market businesses through direct investments and secondary acquisitions. Brett Hickey, the firm’s founder and CEO, said Cohen’s expertise in market cycles and operational leadership aligns with the firm’s investment strategies.
“Jared is a dynamic investment professional with extensive hands-on experience,” Hickey said. “We believe his background and values make him a strong addition to our team as we expand our local market presence.”
Cohen has also been involved in private equity transactions, including leading a consolidation effort in the express car wash sector that resulted in a successful sale to a Goldman Sachs entity. He serves on the board of Big Heart Ranch, a nonprofit wellness center and animal sanctuary.
A graduate of UCLA with honors in economics, Cohen also studied at the London School of Economics. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society Los Angeles.
Star Mountain Capital, founded in 2010, has completed more than 300 direct investments and 50 secondary deals in the lower middle market. The firm has been recognized for its growth and workplace culture by Inc. 5000, Crain’s New York Business, and Pensions & Investments.
