Castle Pines Capital Partners

John Lydiard is the Managing Partner of Castle Pines Capital Partners, a dedicated private equity firm focused on acquiring and operating a single privately held U.S.-based company. He is responsible for the identification, acquisition, and operation of the acquired company and brings over ten years of professional experience across various industries, roles, and responsibilities.

John’s background as both an investment professional and investment banker has allowed him to work closely with executive leadership teams at businesses of all sizes and life-cycle stages. While at Charles Thayne Capital in Chicago, John directly contributed to the acquisition of four companies gaining firsthand experience in lower middle market private equity, operations, and value creation.

Prior to joining CTC, John was an investment banker at Goldman Sachs, working in the Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) group in San Francisco. There, he developed deep expertise in mergers and acquisitions, conducting due diligence and working on transactions alongside management teams and third-party advisors, including legal, accounting, and insurance professionals. His extensive experience in M&A advisory further positions him as a reliable and insightful leader within the private equity landscape.

Before attending business school, John served as an analyst in the United States Air Force, where he rose to the rank of Captain. His service instilled a strong sense of discipline, leadership, and commitment—qualities that continue to guide his work in the alternative investment space.

John earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, with concentrations in entrepreneurship, economics, finance, and accounting. He also holds a Master of Science (S.M.) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the Engineering Systems Division and a Bachelor of Science from the United States Air Force Academy. John is also a CFA charterholder.