James Winder Bio

Polar Star Capital Partners is a private equity investment firm focused on acquisitions of, and strategic minority investments in, proven privately-held businesses. Founded by James Winder, Polar Star has cultivated significant institutional knowledge of several sectors, and has experience in a broad range of industries and private investment types. Recently, Polar Star Capital Partners acquired Meridian Restaurants Unlimited, a 126 store restaurant franchisee and the 6th largest in the North American Burger King Network. James currently serves as chairman of Meridian's board of directors. James previously served on the board of directors of EPIS, a service provider in the utilities industry and a former investment. James led all aspects of the EPIS acquisition and investment, which generated a gross annual IRR of 103%. Prior to founding Polar Star, James worked with The Cynosure Group, a private equity firm based in Salt Lake City and founded by the very successful Eccles family. At Cynosure, James was instrumental in sourcing, evaluating and managing private equity investments. Previously James worked in the Mergers & Acquisitions group at Oppenheimer & Company in New York City, private equity co-investments at Hamilton Lane in Philadelphia, and was a co-founder of a valuation advisory based in Salt Lake City. Prior to pursuing a career in mergers and acquisitions, James was a sixth generation employee of Winder Farms, a regional family business. He received an MBA degree from Duke University and a B.S. in finance from Brigham Young University, where he was a recipient of multiple scholarships and awards.