Expert Details
Sustainable Food, CPG and Impact Investing
ID: 738050
Illinois, USA
As both an entrepreneur and a PE/angel investor, Expert has helped to scale many companies including Boca Burger, Simple Mills, Shenandoah Growers, Snaxsational Brands, Tiesta Tea, Employer, Renwal Mills and Spero Foods.
Entrepreneur and private equity investor offering 30 years of experience building successful companies and management teams and guiding them through organic growth, acquisitions, and capital market transactions. Master networker with deep relationships throughout the food, agriculture and M&A industries and leading deal sourcing partner for past 4 years. Passionate about mitigating climate change by creating a more sustainable food system. Blended career realized IRR of over 22% over 20+ years from a range of successful private equity and angel investments including Boca Burger, Simple Mills (angel), May & Speh and SP Industries. Industry thought leader and speaker focused on the future of food and sustainable food & agriculture.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1990 | Degree: MBA | Subject: Finance, Marketing | Institution: Northwestern University |
| Year: 1985 | Degree: BS | Subject: Accountancy | Institution: University of Illinois |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2020 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: CoFounder and CEO | Department: Management |
Responsibilities:Plant-based food company creating frozen products from whole food ingredients. Since launch in 2020, not available in over 1,700 retail doors and have about $800,000 of run rate revenue. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2022 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Operating Partner | Department: Private Equity |
Responsibilities:Joined as an Operating Partner and member of the Investment Committee after they held a first closing on their second fund.The Fund focuses on investing in companies that are taking animals out of the supply chain for food, beauty and fashion companies. Assist in evaluating all investments in the fund and help to source, negotiate and execute on investments in US companies. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2015 to 2020 | Employer: Advantage Capital | Title: Principal | Department: Advantage Capital Agribusiness Partners Fund |
Responsibilities:Was a member of a 3 person team that invested in food and agriculture companies in rural America.Led the fund's largest investment in Shenandoah Growers, one of the largest indoor agriculture companies in the US. Sat on the board for 3.5 years, grew the company from $35 million to over $120 million in revenue. Led investments in other companies including Navitas Organics, Snaxsational Brands and Farmhouse Culture. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2012 to 2015 | Employer: Okeefe and Company | Title: Managing Director | Department: Consulting |
Responsibilities:Consultant helping companies with business transformation and turnarounds. Focused on the food and agriculture industries completing projects for large scale farms, grain elevators, seed companies, small groceries and food processors. |
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