PE exit ops in DC

There isn't a huge ecosystem but if you're willing not to get caught up in the prestige game, there are definitely options. Networking will get you much further than waiting for a headhunter to find you on-cycle. Once you get past Carlyle, some of the bigger names include Revolution (Steve Case's group, which has strategies for growth, venture, and seed), Arlington Capital Partners, Sands Capital, and Halifax. Columbia Capital is one of the OGs when it comes to enterprise technology and communications investing. I've heard good things about the team at Enlightenment Capital. Rotunda Capital I believe recently raised its first fund after years as an independent sponsor, so they're in growth mode. Hull Street Energy does some interesting stuff if energy specifically is of interest. The IFC is also a large potential landing spot.

If you expand up to Baltimore, you've got JMI who's done decently and Access Holdings (I'm not familiar with their track record but have seen a VP role on LinkedIn open there for a long time - take that for whatever it's worth). T. Rowe Price is also a more active player in private markets these days. There are also some Richmond and Charlottesville firms that are small but interesting, if you're willing to go that far.

There are a fair number of small venture firms but most of them aren't particularly good or noteworthy, though NEA has an outpost and they're obviously solid. There's also an NEA spinout, Construct Capital, which recently launched and is one to keep an eye on.

If you are willing to consider the fund of funds / advisory / LP route, the DC area has Cambridge Associates, Strategic Investment Group, RockCreek, Brown Advisory, and Accolade - before you even get to the actual LPs (Georgetown, Howard Hughes, Red Cross, Nature Conservancy, Smithsonian, IFC / World Bank to name a few).

This.

Also add EIG to the list as it'samong the larger (infra) funds that's often overlooked in DC.

Pretty familiar with Access Holdings. Good firm but their Associates get pushed pretty hard I've heard. You also have Greenspring Associates which is based in Owings Mills (right outside Baltimore) 

They are solid. Have a close friend who was there and vouched for them hard even now after he's left.