From VMI to Private Equity: Warner Collier ’24

This article is part of The Next Step series. While the four years at VMI are designed for cadets to push themselves academically, physically, and mentally to tackle the demands of life at a premiere military college, they also prepare cadets for life after graduation. Whether that life be one in the military or one in the private sector, VMI faculty and staff provide guidance to cadets along their journeys. One department specifically dedicated to that endeavor of post-Institute success is the Office of Career Services. In The Next Step series, we highlight cadets preparing to enter the workforce after graduation, as well as those still in the midst of their cadetship preparing for internships over the summer. 

Business and computer science were two industries that Warner Collier ’24 saw opportunity in. Coming to Virginia Military Institute, he wanted to cast as wide of a net as possible, which brought him to major in economics and business, with concentrations in decision analytics and financial analysis, along with computer science and cybersecurity minors.  

“As I progressed through rat year, I knew I wanted to work in finance after joining the Cadet Investment Group,” he said. “I did more research on careers in finance and gravitated towards private equity.”

Hailing from Midlothian, Virginia, recent graduate Collier is now set to work for Civitas Growth Partners as an analyst.  

“I will be involved in all aspects of the deal sourcing process,” he said. “This will include identifying and reaching out to potential investment opportunities. Also, I will analyze company financials, KPIs, build out financial models, and communicate key insights. Lastly, I will sit in on portfolio company board meetings and monitor the financial and operating performance of the portfolio companies.” 

Coincidentally, Collier said this was the first job he applied for.   

 ”I wanted to work for an organization which aligns with my moral values. For the same reason I chose VMI, I wanted to be a part of a firm which believes in doing things the right way,” he said.  

Working for a small company like Civitas was what was most attractive to Collier. He said it would allow him to have more learning opportunities and contributions.  

“I was drawn to private equity as I enjoy analyzing companies, figuring out what makes them work, and implementing strategies which yield real results,” he said.  

He believes that having VMI on his resume aided him in landing this job.  

“The number one reason Civitas hired me is because they know they can trust me. The foundation of VMI, honor, is the competitive edge I have over others,” he said.  

VMI has taught him to be comfortable in the uncomfortable. 

“VMI puts you in high stress situations which give you valuable tools that translate to the workplace. I’m confident in my abilities and work ethic due to VMI,” he said.