A founding partner of NCP, Jim Little has 30 years of hands-on experience managing and investing in entrepreneurial companies. Jim started his career by building Complete Health Services, a managed health care company, from a startup to its sale to UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH). Complete Health grew to be the largest independent health plan in the Southeast.
Jim has also invested in, and been actively involved in, a number of companies which have created thousands of jobs and provided significant returns to their shareholders. His entrepreneurial management and investment experience includes a number of successful companies in the healthcare, financial and technology sectors, including Revnet Systems (sold to MessageMedia [NASDAQ: MESG]), HospiScript (sold to Catalyst Health Solutions [NASDAQ: CHSI]), Cogent Partners (sold to Greenhill & Co. [NYSE: GHL]), ARX Holding Corp. (sold to The Progressive Corporation [NYSE: PGR]), Hospice Partners of America (sold to Addus HomeCare, Inc. [NASDAQ: ADUS]) and THMED (sold to Doximity [NYSE: DOCS]). Jim currently serves on the Boards of Care Services, GeoVera, FireRock, ControlCase, Sprout, Empirian Health and Southern Bank Company. Jim has a BS in Engineering from Auburn University.
Of the five NCP Values, which is your favorite one? Why?
My favorite NCP value is #5: Focus on excellence and get great results.
NCP exists because it achieves great results for our LPs and management team partners. Great results don’t come easily, but we work hard and commit to excellence both at NCP and at our portfolio companies. At NCP, we must remain active in sourcing new opportunities, thoughtful about the opportunities in which we invest, diligent in our evaluation of those opportunities and constantly focused on adding value to our companies. Our companies must provide great value to clients, which is done through innovation and a commitment to excellence.
What are some words of wisdom you live by?
- You are defined by how you handle your challenges.
- Your greatest freedom is your ability to express yourself.
- It is your decision whether you lead or follow. Which one is it going to be?
What fact about you might people be surprised to learn?
I am an eternal optimist. While private equity work often requires me to use my critical thinking skills and say “no” more than “yes,” I am confident that most things are possible through hard work and ingenuity.