“Investing is not just capital…it’s conviction, creativity, and connection.”
Herbert W. Jackson is a seasoned investment professional with over 25 years of success in sourcing, structuring, and executing high-value transactions across industrials, business services, and consumer sectors. As the Managing Principal of J Conduit Advisory, Herb specializes in originating proprietary opportunities for growth equity sponsors and special situations investors, leveraging decades of CEO, founder, and boardroom relationships to navigate complex investment decisions with precision and insight.
Herb’s career is marked by a relentless pursuit of value creation, both in public markets and private transactions. He is known for developing original investment theses and delivering actionable strategies that result in outsized returns. His foundational years at Davis Funds and later co-management of Avanti Partners, LP, a top-quartile hedge fund, established his reputation as a contrarian investor with a deep appreciation for undervalued assets and underappreciated growth potential. Under his stewardship, client accounts delivered a 16.88% IRR from 1985 to mid-1996, consistently outperforming the S&P 500—despite being conservatively allocated.
Herb’s investment acumen shines most notably through his track record in special situations investing, where he consistently exceeded a 25% IRR. Notable wins include orchestrating early investments and exits in companies like Electronics Corp. of America, MNC Financial, Timberland, Cree, and Hurco Companies. These cases highlight his ability to identify pivotal inflection points, conduct rigorous due diligence, and time exits with precision—often returning 3x–13x invested capital for his stakeholders.
As an Industrial Advisor to Blackstone Tactical Opportunities since 2016 and Trilantic North America since 2011, Herb has been instrumental in identifying and shaping billion-dollar opportunities. From introducing Owens & Minor to Blackstone during a deep value compression, to leading strategic engagements involving Tredegar Corporation, Albemarle, C.F. Sauer, and others, his ability to build trust at the C-suite level and align capital with corporate vision is unparalleled. His contributions have helped these firms achieve substantial IRR milestones and long-term strategic value.
Herb’s approach to M&A and investment origination is steeped in relationship building. His deep bench of CEO and boardroom contacts, built over decades of trust and transparency, allows him to move faster than traditional market channels. He doesn’t just find deals—he creates them by connecting vision with capital, often ahead of the market curve.
Beyond deal origination, Herb has served as a strategic advisor and board member, including his role with the City of Richmond’s Industrial Development Authority, where he supported public-private economic development initiatives. He is often sought after by firms looking for not just investment, but strategic transformation—especially those navigating succession planning, carve-outs, or turnaround situations.
Herb’s career began at the intersection of finance and strategy, graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BS in Business Administration. He deepened his global business understanding through the UNC-Toronto Exchange Program, and remains CFA Level 1 certified. His background reflects both rigorous financial training and entrepreneurial agility, a combination that enables him to thrive in both boardrooms and on the ground with operators.
Internationally, Herb has worked on transactions involving Australia and maintains an informed perspective on global market trends, though he is selective about sectors—avoiding software and early-stage startups in favor of businesses with $10M+ in revenue and tangible value creation potential.
Known for his humility, candor, and strategic discipline, Herb Jackson brings the kind of insight and integrity that makes him a trusted advisor to private equity firms, boards, and founders alike. Whether operating independently through J Conduit or in close alignment with sponsors like Blackstone or Trilantic, Herb is a force multiplier in deal strategy, transformation, and long-term value creation.
Character:
Herb operates with a strong sense of integrity, accountability, and loyalty to partners and clients. His long-term relationships with CEOs and boards reflect his consistent character and commitment to building trust.
Knowledge:
He brings exceptional knowledge of financial markets, corporate strategy, capital structures, and industry cycles. His analytical rigor and contrarian mindset have consistently driven high-IRR performance and special situations success.
Strategic:
Herb is a visionary deal architect who understands how to align capital with long-term business transformation. His ability to source and shape off-market deals provides a competitive edge to investment partners.
Communication:
Herb is known for his clear, direct, and persuasive communication style. He builds consensus quickly, translates complex investment theses into actionable insights, and forges alignment across stakeholders with ease.
J Conduit Advisory:
