Profile of J.F. Lehman & Company

Despite the wide net cast by our investigative resources (!), it is in fact possible for a relevant investment firm to go unnoticed and not have a dedicated Player Profile on this site. That situation has come to end for defense industry investor J.F. Lehman & Company.

Founded in 1992 by former Secretary of the Navy Dr. John F. Lehman, the firm “has pursued an exclusive and consistent focus on investing in lower middle market companies in the defense, aerospace and maritime industries and the technologies that originate from them.” They have invested $1.6B to date (according to their website) and have offices in DC and London.
 
Dr. Lehman came to found is firm after leading the aerospace & defense advisory practice at PaineWebber, and before the Secretary of the Navy post he was President of a consulting firm called Abington Corporation, which served the aerospace industry. Other prominent members of the team include Tig Krekel, former CEO of Hughes Space and Communications, and ex President of Boeing Satellite Systems. Retired General John P. Abizaid sits on the executive board, along with a fairly impressive list of others.
 
Some portfolio highlights:

(Yes, I did choose DVG as a highlighted portfolio company because of their very cool, and totally unrelated name).