Colonial Group (Demere Family Office)

Investor profile

Colonial Group (Demere Family Office) is a Savannah, Georgia-based single-family office. Established in 1921, the firm invests and manages the wealth of the Demere family, a fourth-generation entrepreneurial family whose business origins trace to founder Raymond M. Demere's creation of American Oil Company, later renamed Colonial Oil. Under the leadership of President & CEO Christian B. Demere and Chairman Robert H. Demere Jr., Colonial Group functions as the family's primary operating and investment vehicle. Core subsidiaries of the group include Colonial Oil Industries, Colonial Terminals, Colonial Chemical Solutions, Colonial Energy, Savannah Yacht Center, and Aqua Smart. Wealth is compounded through direct ownership, strategic real estate development along the Savannah River, and acquisition-driven subsidiary expansion. Colonial Group's investment strategy is centered around direct investments across multiple sectors, including energy infrastructure, logistics, chemicals, maritime services, and specialized industrial real estate, reflecting a control-oriented private equity style. Geographic emphasis is North America, particularly the Southeastern and Eastern United States. Growth is driven by expansions, bolt-on acquisitions, and greenfield development projects, suggesting disciplined underwriting, operational due diligence, and in-house market research grounded in industry expertise. The investment philosophy reflects multigenerational capital preservation, conservative leverage, operational excellence, and community alignment in Savannah and regional markets, positioning Colonial Group as a vertically integrated, direct-deal family investment platform.