Melford Carter brings 30 years of leadership experience across venture capital, private equity, institutional investing, and corporate growth, including overseeing multi-billion-dollar investment programs and leading major corporate transformations.

Until his retirement in 2025, Mr. Carter served as a Principal with the Private Markets group at GCM Grosvenor, an asset management firm with over $75 billion in assets under management focused on alternative investments. He directed the firm’s regionally targeted investment practice balancing the needs and contractual terms of multiple constituencies with headline risk and return objectives. He also ran the Private Markets venture and growth vertical where market analyses, sourcing, underwriting and client communication came together.

Mr. Carter has held seats on more than 50 LP Advisory Committees and monitored an additional 40 funds on behalf of clients across the country.

Prior to joining GCM Grosvenor, Mr. Carter was Senior Vice President of Membership Services at the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce. There, he rightsized operations, built quality networking events, applied business practices to daily operations, and supported regional economic development.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Carter co-founded Denali Incorporated, where he served as Vice President of Business Development. He helped build the company into the world’s largest engineered fiberglass-reinforced products manufacturer and was part of the team that successfully led its IPO. During his time there, revenues grew from $40 million to over $220 million, and EBITDA improved from a $3 million loss to $24 million in profits. He also served as Senior Marketing Officer and Business Development Lead for EnviroTech, a Baker Hughes company, where he participated in over $1.4 billion in completed acquisitions and divestitures.

Mr. Carter earned a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and International Business with High Honors from The University of Texas at Austin. He also completed the Advanced Program in International Management at Copenhagen Business School and has active Series 7 and 63 licenses.

As an aligned Senior Advisor, Mr. Carter supports Star Mountain Capital with private markets expertise, strategic relationships, and investment insights to help the firm and its portfolio investments create long-term value in the lower middle-market.