New York, New York, United States
Dynamic, accomplished, high energy, high EQ, and visionary leader with a proven record of transforming and scaling businesses and driving them to successful high growth financial outcomes with best-in-class profitability and shareholder returns. Strategist, brand builder, market positioning, operator, and financial expert, and an exceptional coach and mentor with a keen eye for identifying future leaders capable of driving exponential growth. Deal maker with extensive capital markets and IPO expertise, and wide-ranging M&A proficiency, including on the international stage. Long history of advocating for cultural and geographic diversity and facile in global relationship building. Blending the academic with the practical, in concert with a strong enterprising spirit and eagerness to continue to help businesses scale and achieve their potential, I bring superior judgment, mastery of complex and delicate situations, and the courage and wisdom to inspire teams and organizations to innovate, disrupt their space, and reach their north star. My career includes Strategic, Operating, and Financial leadership and Board roles at several of the world’s most iconic brands – including Tiffany & Co., Vitamin Shoppe, and Equinox Holdings, where my contributions to the collective effort led to the successful growth and transformation of these renowned lifestyle brands.
Operating Partner with the Benvolio Group, a PE firm that invests primarily in disruptive consumer concepts. Coach, mentor, and advise portfolio leadership teams by leveraging expertise in corporate development, organizational development, strategy, brand building, operations, administration, and finance to drive growth, profitability, and value. Serves on the Board of Directors of several portfolio companies, including Malk Organics, Seraphina Therapeutics, healthybaby, MindBodyGreen, and Whitmans NYC. • Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Retooled corporate strategy, branding, and market positioning – Improved sales/marketing effectiveness, stabilized financial position, rationalized product array and workforce, reduced cost structures, optimized supply chain, and prepared business for eventual sale. • Routinely filter and assess incoming opportunities and proposed transactions • Develop, design and refine business models, dashboards, KPI’s, CIM’s and internal/external facing materials for various portfolio businesses • Creates company visioning, mission statements, goals, strategies and tactics and sets market positioning for scale and growth
SELECTED MILESTONES AND HIGHLIGHTS • Led acquisition and grew SoulCycle from 5 locations in 2011 to 70 locations in 2016 with EBITDA of $57M • Raised $200M of debt capital to acquire remaining ownership in 2015/16 and negotiated terms of founder’s retirement • Led 2016 spin-off from Equinox to facilitate SoulCycle’s distinct needs for growth and independence • Strategically directed and architected multi-year business plan to independently scale SoulCycle from its current 70 locations to 200+ locations inclusive of Canada and UK • Played lead role on Board of Directors and served as CFO until recent retirement
SELECTED MILESTONES AND HIGHLIGHTS • Grew consolidated (Equinox, SoulCycle & Blink) revenues and EBITDA from $160M to $850M and $45M to $200M, between 2005 and 2015 • Quadrupled Equinox locations from 23 in 2005 to 85 in 2015 and increased membership from 80,000 to 300,000 • Led the negotiations and acquisitions of the Sports Club/LA businesses in 2011 and 2014 • Led deal team, negotiated terms, acquired a majority share of SoulCycle in 2011 and actively served on its Board and as its de facto CFO • Leader of green field project that conceived the long range plan and launched the Blink Fitness brand in 2011 as the “cleanest and friendliest affordable gym concept in North America.” Currently, 50 company-owned locations, over 100,000 members and franchising to begin in 2017 • Raised/refinanced aggregate of $3B in high yield, mezzanine and revolver debt in numerous/complex transactions, and successfully guided business through the great 2008/2009 recession • Partnered with President to lead total technology transformation shifting infrastructure from strictly bricks and mortar based to an innovative “always on” lifestyle offering enabled by technology and content. Named one of Fast Company’s most innovative companies in Fitness
SELECTED MILESTONES AND HIGHLIGHTS • Grew Vitamin Shoppe revenues from $90M (15 New York locations) to $300M (in over 100 locations in 10 states) • Instrumental in developing the strategy and growing the revenues of this retail/catalog/web business from $90M (15 New York locations) to $300M (over 100 locations in 10 states), while driving 15% increases in comparable store sales each year • Developed and launched VitaminShoppe.com as a new sales channel and spun off and led successful IPO of VitaminShoppe.com in 1999