Capitol Meridian Partners has tapped former US Secretary of the Navy Ryan McCarthy as its eighth operating partner. McCarthy, a former Army Ranger and ex-Lockheed Martin executive, will guide the firm on defense market trends, investment opportunities, and portfolio company value creation. The appointment signals CMP's push deeper into defense-related private equity deals.

Ryan McCarthy brings rare crossover experience: public-sector leadership running the Navy alongside corporate strategy at Lockheed Martin. His role centers on executive mentorship and spotting growth areas within the defense industrial base. For CMP, adding a former cabinet-level official strengthens its ability to win deals tied to government contractors and national security assets.

Defense-focused PE funds have faced regulatory scrutiny over the past two years as foreign investment rules tighten. McCarthy's government background positions him to navigate that landscape. This move marks CMP's deliberate strategy to build operating expertise around a sector where deal flow is accelerating.