University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Ithaca College

Operating Partner at The Riverside Company

CCFF develops, manufactures and supplies custom value-added fruit and flavor ingredients to multiple industries and customers

California Custom Fruits & Flavors, Inc.

Executive Chairman

Sokol Custom Food Ingredients develops unique and quality food formulations for retail, industrial and foodservice industries worldwide. Sokol is a multifaceted food company focused on long-lasting strategic partnerships. Sokol’s team of formulation experts develops customized products and packaging solutions to enable customers the ability to tap into current market trends and get to market quickly.

Sokol and Company

Independent Board Role  

Riverside is a global PE firm that invests primarily in privately held mid-size growth-oriented businesses and has a current portfolio of more than 130 companies. As an Operating Partner, I served as Board Chairman for multiple portfolio companies (CEO reported directly to me) and focused on creating value and positioning companies for successful exits. For example, at the Parker Food Group (PFG), I assumed the Chairman role in June 2019 when the company’s valuation was below the original purchase price. By more effectively utilizing the Board, implementing a series of strategic modifications, strengthening organizational capabilities, significantly optimizing our go-to-market approach and fully integrating and then activating a large strategic add-on acquisition, PFG was profitable sold to Investindustrial (August 2022) generating an outstanding Cash-on-Cash and IRR return.

Other Executive Chairman Roles at The Riverside Company include:  Momentum Textiles & Wallcoverings 2020 – 2023, Nustef Baking 2019 – 2023, Parker Food Group 2019 – 2022, Yum Earth 2018 – 2019, and LILLEbaby 2018 – 2019.

The Riverside Company

Operating Partner

Chairman, Advisory Board of Directors
EBP Supply Solutions
Milford CT

EBP was a privately-owned distribution partner that provided a broad range of essential supplies and services to a variety of commercial organizations throughout the eastern and domestic U.S. until it was profitable sold to Imperial Dade in July 2021.

Chairman | Independent Board Director | Board Member | Advisory Board Member

Independent Board Role

Recruited to turnaround this declining and under-performing business. Together with leadership team, transformed Zotos into a well-managed and rapidly-growing Professional Beauty Company. Zotos, just prior to its sale, was a $250M fully-integrated, global, and independent subsidiary of Shiseido. The company manufactures, markets and sells primarily professional hair products worldwide (750+ employees in 5 offices in North America and Europe, 3 distribution facilities, and a manufacturing plant in New York).  

To maximize shareholder value, led a strategic assessment of the business, managed internal core team and external consulting resources, and presented final options to Shiseido leadership. Managed sale and due diligence effort resulting in a reported $485M sale to Henkel (for a premium multiple) in December 2017.

Key financial performance results during tenure: 

• Executed turnaround of an under-performing business with 3-year sales and profit declines of -15% and -23%, respectively

• Transformed Zotos from a marginally profitable $150M company into a $250M+ profitable company that consistently exceeded industry growth norms (sales grew 67%; profits tripled)

• Achieved 4 consecutive record sales and profit years (2014-2017) since company founding in 1929 

Acquired and divested to enhance market position: 
 
• Led acquisition and integration of LinQed2U (Belgian company) to expand the direct sales operations (2015); reacquired distribution rights from Sabre (former UK distributor) to streamline sales process 
 
• Divested under-performing distributors to bolster global sales network and establish, then expand, the direct sales operation

CONTRIBUTION VALUE
Turnarounds | Transformations | Net Operating Margin Improvements | Strategic M&A + Integration | Strategic Divestiture | Global Sales Expansion

SKILLS FOCUS
Operations Improvement Plans | Turnarounds | Restructuring | Go-to-Market Strategy | Team Building | Growth Management | Financial Controls

Zotos International (subsidiary of Shiseido)

President and CEO

$400MM, Private equity-owned (Vestar Capital Partners) international manufacturer and marketer of personal care appliances. Remington was profitably sold to Spectrum Brands in Q4 2003.

Recruited to revitalize marketing function. Initially charged with turning around the core U.S. Shaving & Grooming (S&G) business which had experienced 10-year sales and profit declines. Promoted to VP and corporate officer. 

• Delivered sales CAGR increases of 21.6% (from $76 to $245 million) and 29.7% EBITDA ($11.3 to $53.7) from 1997 – 2003 in the core S&G business.  
• Co-led integration of the marketing organizations. Established clear objectives, merger principles, and cost and revenue synergies. Project yielded a 30% headcount reduction.  

CONTRIBUTION VALUE
Turnarounds | Transformations | Operations + Marketing Alignment | EBITDA Improvements | Organizational Restructuring Cost Reductions

SKILLS FOCUS
Operational Improvement Plans| Turnarounds | Restructuring | Go-to-Market Strategy | Team Building | Growth Management | Financial Controls | Strategic M&A + Integration | Manufacturing Process Upgrading + Production Efficiencies

Remington Products

VP Marketing, Corporate Officer

NOVA Chemicals

Business Director, Plastics Division

Doubled market share to 12% for this worldwide leader in providing investment services by creating and executing a comprehensive marketing plan to revitalize the previously declining international equity business. 

CONTRIBUTION VALUE
Turnaround | Market Share Growth

SKILLS FOCUS
Strategic Marketing Plans | Pricing Strategies | New Product Service Launch | Strategic Sales Plans

Fidelity Investments

Director of Marketing – International Funds

Received foundational brand management training and experience as Brand Manager – Oxydol Detergent, ABM – Tide Detergent, BA – Ivory Liquid.

CONTRIBUTION VALUE
Increased Marketing Share | Market Expansion

SKILLS FOCUS
Brand Management | Strategic Marketing Plan Development + Execution | Market Research | Business Analysis | Marketing Team Management

Procter & Gamble

Brand Manager

Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC) was/is a worldwide leader in providing audit and assurance, tax and advisory services. Planned, supervised and executed audits of client’s financial statements and analyzed company operations and business strategies. Successfully completed all four sections of the CPA exam on the first sitting.

CONTRIBUTION VALUE
On-budget Work Performance

SKILLS FOCUS
Financial Audits | Operations Assessments | Business Strategy Analysis | Project Management

Ron Krassin