John Blackburn

Managing PArtner

John Blackburn is a co-founder of Coil Partners, having spent his career as an investor, advisor and board member for emerging growth and middle market companies, as well as CEO of two operating companies.    

Prior to co-founding Coil, John was the owner and President of Net Return Capital, acting as an investment banker and principal on private equity, growth equity, and real estate transactions.  Previously he served as the Chief Investment Officer of Westwind Investors, a large private investment firm focused on investing directly in private equity transactions, real estate, and other alternative investments.  John also served as a Senior Managing Director of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, a leading independent manager of alternative investment funds, where he helped to launch Kayne’s real estate investment business.  His experience also includes CEO roles with ExpensAble, an expense management software company, and Le Gourmet Chef, a specialty retailer of kitchenware and gourmet food.  John was previously a General Partner in the venture capital and private equity business with TBM Associates (and its predecessor, Investments Orange Nassau) and ChinaVest in Hong Kong.  John currently serves on the Board of Directors of Legacy Heath Strategies and DataSync Corporation.   

John received a B.S. from Lehigh University, and an MBA with Distinction from the Wharton School.  He was the recipient of the Henry Ford II Scholar award as the first year Wharton MBA student with the most outstanding academic record.  John holds a FINRA Series 7 securities license.