Dennis F. O’Brien Joins Gryphon Investors as Operating Partner

Gryphon Investors, a San Francisco-based private equity firm, announced today that Dennis O’Brien will be joining the firm as a Partner effective April 14. He will join Gryphon’s Operations Resources Group headed by Will Lynn, Partner, and will have responsibility for monitoring and helping to improve the performance of a group of Gryphon’s portfolio companies.

Mr. O’Brien, age 50, has 27 years of operating experience in the consumer products industry working for companies including Procter & Gamble, Nestle, Campbell Soup Company and ConAgra. His last position at ConAgra was President and Chief Operating Officer of the company’s $8.5 billion packaged food business. For the past year, he has been CEO of the Penta Water Company, where he will continue on the Board.

Mr. O’Brien started his career in Consumer Promotion and Sales at Procter & Gamble and then progressed up the Brand Marketing ranks at Nestle Foods and Pepperidge Farm/Campbell Soup Co. where he demonstrated an ability to rejuvenate consumer brands. In 1995, he moved into general management leading Campbell’s Vegetable Juice business. He was then SVP-General Manager at Armstrong Industries managing its Consumer and Commercial Floor Products business. After that he joined ConAgra Foods leading and profitably growing businesses of increasingly larger sizes. Mr. O’Brien is on the Board of Senomyx and has a BS degree in Marketing from the University of Connecticut.

David Andrews, Gryphon’s President and Managing General Partner, said, “We are delighted to welcome Dennis to our firm. He has proven skills at improving performance in a broad range of businesses. He adds significant operating experience to our team.”

“Dennis has a superb track record of sales, marketing and general management achievements. He also has a strong history of developing great managers and solid teams, which are critical skills for us,” said Will Lynn.

About Gryphon Investors

Based in San Francisco, Gryphon Investors focuses on leveraged acquisitions of, and growth investments in, middle-market companies in partnership with experienced management. Having managed more than $1 billion of discretionary equity capital, Gryphon has an extensive track record of investing $25 to $75 million of its own capital in companies with sales ranging from $25 to $250 million. Gryphon prioritizes investment opportunities where it can form proactive partnerships with owners and executives to build leading companies, utilizing Gryphon’s capital, professional resources and significant financial and operational expertise. Visit www.gryphoninvestors.com for more information.

Contacts

Lisa Baker

Owen Blicksilver Public Relations, Inc.
516-742-5949
LISA@BLICKSILVERPR.COM