# Brian Kwait

> Brian Kwait is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Odyssey Investment Partners, a New York-based private equity firm focused on industrial and business services companies. An Ohio native and Michigan and Wharton graduate, he worked as an accountant and corporate finance associate before joining Odyssey Partners in 1989 and helping establish Odyssey Investment Partners in 1997. His career includes board roles at packaging, equipment and services businesses and public advocacy for developing investment colleagues through apprenticeship.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at Odyssey Investment Partners
- **Organizations:** Odyssey Investment Partners, Odyssey Partners, Bear, Stearns & Co., Ernst & Whinney
- **Education:** BBA, University of Michigan, MBA, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
- **Known for:** Co-founded Odyssey Investment Partners in 1997., Led Odyssey as CEO when the firm closed its $3.25 billion sixth fund in February 2020; this was a firm fundraising milestone., Served on boards including ProMach, Duravant, Ranpak and Williams Scotsman; listed as a board member at Levata and The Planet Group.

## Career timeline

- **1983** — Graduated from the University of Michigan with a BBA.
- **Before 1988** — Worked as a CPA and senior accountant at Ernst & Whinney.
- **1988** — Earned an MBA from Wharton.
- **1988-1989** — Associate in Bear Stearns’ Corporate Finance Group, working on financings and restructurings.
- **1989-1997** — Principal in Odyssey Partners’ private equity investing group.
- **1997** — Co-founded Odyssey Investment Partners.
- **2004** — As an Odyssey managing principal, commented on the firm’s acquisition of ProMach; subsequently served on its board.
- **2020** — Identified as CEO in the announcement of Odyssey’s $3.25 billion sixth fund.
- **2026** — Announced team promotions and discussed Odyssey’s apprenticeship model.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Odyssey Investment Partners in 1997.
- Led Odyssey as CEO when the firm closed its $3.25 billion sixth fund in February 2020; this was a firm fundraising milestone.
- Served on boards including ProMach, Duravant, Ranpak and Williams Scotsman; listed as a board member at Levata and The Planet Group.

## Latest updates

- **2026-01** — Kwait commented on team promotions including Henry Bendit’s advancement to Managing Principal and reiterated the apprenticeship model.
- **2026-07** — Odyssey, the firm Kwait leads, announced a majority investment in TransPak. The announcement quoted Craig Staub and Jonathan Place, rather than Kwait.
- **2026-09** — Odyssey backed Falcon Gases, which acquired Encore Gas & Supply; Henry Bendit spoke for Odyssey. This is firm news, not a claim of Kwait’s personal deal involvement.

## Links

- Website: https://www.odysseyinvestment.com/team/brian-kwait/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-kwait-60a0ab247/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/brian-kwait
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-09