OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (June 11, 2025) – Acorn Capital Management (“Acorn”), a private equity firm focused on aerospace, defense, intelligence, and space sectors, announced the successful closing of a single-asset continuation fund to extend and deepen its partnership with Sentry Aerospares. Kline Hill Partners and LSV Advisors co-led the transaction. Additional financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Sentry Aerospares is a global leader in the distribution of high-value, hard-to-find commercial aircraft rotable components. In addition to providing a liquidity option to existing investors, the transaction secures additional capital commitments from new investors to augment and enhance Sentry’s growth strategies – both organic and M&A.
“We are thrilled to have completed this continuation fund transaction which not only provided existing investors with liquidity at a solid return profile but also affords Acorn the opportunity to extend and deepen its relationship with the Sentry management team and founders, each of whom remain significant shareholders,” commented Rick Nagel, Acorn’s managing partner.
The continuation fund transaction follows Acorn’s original investment in Aerospares 2000 in December 2019 and its July 2022 merger with Sentry Aerospace, which rebranded as Sentry Aerospares in October 2022. Since then, the business has more than doubled and established itself as the leading independent stocking distributor of high-value, minimum equipment list rotables, with transatlantic stocking locations, and a client base of over 600 globally, including airlines, lessors, cargo operators, and MROs. Sentry is recognized for its leadership position in rapid Aircraft on Ground (“AOG”) support and unmatched inventory availability.
“The continuation fund transaction reflects our deep conviction in the value Sentry Aerospares brings to the global aviation aftermarket,” said Greg Agnew,partner at Acorn. “We are proud to continue our partnership with the management team and founders and look forward to accelerating Sentry’s already impressive momentum through strategic investment and expansion.”
The new capital will support Sentry’s global growth strategy, including further inventory expansion, technology upgrades, and potential acquisitions that enhance its supply chain resilience and customer service capabilities.
“We are still only scratching the surface on the commercial synergies and accelerated growth opportunities resulting from the merger,” commented Adam Nemenyi and Tony DiSimone, the founders of Aerospares 2000 and Sentry Aerospace, respectively. “The new capital commitments received from investors provide a strong foundation for continued momentum.”
David Swanson, managing director at Kline Hill, said, “We are pleased to partner with the Acorn and Sentry Aerospares teams. We immediately recognized the differentiation in Sentry Aerospares’ business model and look forward to supporting the company in the next chapter of its growth.”
UBS Investment Bank served as financial advisor to Acorn Capital Management and Proskauer Rose LLP acted as primary legal counsel on the transaction. Sentry Aerospares received legal advice from Hill Dickinson LLP and Hartzog Conger Cason LLP.
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About Acorn Capital Management
Acorn Capital Management is a middle-market private equity firm focused exclusively on Aerospace, Defense, Space, and Intelligence. Acorn invests solely in operating companies that strive to enhance global mobility and protect national interests. Acorn has a formidable reputation in the industry and is recognized for its deep understanding of the Aerospace and Defense markets. With operational expertise and its ability to lead and manage investments through variable economic and industry cycles, Acorn works in tandem with management to build its portfolio companies into significant market leaders. For more information, please visit www.acorncapitalmanagement.com
About Kline Hill Partners
Founded in 2015, Kline Hill Partners is an investment firm focused on the private equity secondary market, with industry-leading capabilities in the small-deal space. With over $5.4 billion in assets under management, Kline Hill’s funds are backed by a blue-chip investor base that includes endowments, foundations, family offices, and other institutional investors. Together, Kline Hill’s secondary strategies make up a platform designed to serve the entirety of the small-deal secondary market, with capabilities spanning LP fund transfers, GP-led transactions, and secondary direct transactions. For more information, please visit www.klinehill.com.
About LSV Advisors, LLC
Founded in 2005, LSV is a New York-based special situations secondaries manager, registered with the SEC, with approximately $3.2 billion in assets and commitments under management on behalf of institutional, family office and other clients worldwide. LSV provides fund managers and investors with a wide variety of restructuring and liquidity solutions across all types of alternative investment funds. Additional information about LSV may be obtained at www.lsvfinancial.com and on the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website maintained by the SEC (http://www.adviserinfo.sec.gov).
About Sentry Aerospares
Sentry Aerospares is an award-winning company specializing in providing rotable spares support to airlines worldwide. We consistently provide superior customer support, a comprehensive stockholding of the most demanded and hard-to-find parts and a responsive 24/7 AOG (Aircraft on Ground) service. Our focus on quality permeates every facet of our organization. For more information, please visit www.sentry.aero
For Acorn:
Media Contact:
Sabrina Turner
(601) 664-2010
sabrina@cirlot.com
Investor Contact:
Brandon Bradford
(917) 224-8399
bbradford@acorncm.com
For Kline Hill Partners:
Kelly Holman
Stanton
(646) 502-3509
KHolman@Stantonprm.com
