Mary Aronson Email & Phone Number

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Worked extensively with Gryphon Investors, a leading private equity firm, to provide acquisition and sales due diligence for the principals of Gryphon regarding their acquisition of The Original Cakerie and the forming of Dessert Holdings which includes The Original Cakerie, Lawler's Desserts, and Atlanta Cheesecake Company. In June 2021, Bain Capital Equity acquired Desserts Holdings. Currently responsible for national organization focused on developing and supporting relationships with major strategic retailers and grocery chains to enhance their dessert solutions with premium offerings from The Original Cakerie, Lawler's Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company, Steven Charles, Diane's Fine Desserts and Kenny's Great Pies.Responsible for developing and executing mass and club channel strategy and managing a staff of national account director and retailer merchandising managers.

San Francisco , Ca

Gryphon Investors is a leading private equity firm with approximately $1.8 billion of cumulative equity investments in middle market companies with experienced management.Responsible for advising Gryphon Consumer Brands Team during due diligence period leading up to the majority investment of The Original Cakerie(TOC) in December 2015.Duties included performing Market Study, Competitive Analysis, Organization Review, Prepared Retail Go to Market Strategy and First 100 Days Retail Work Plan, Input on Key Initiatives, Target Case and Investment Thesis

Reported to SVP, Sales; managed national organization of 55 and over $260M sales to strategic retail accounts including –Walmart, Sam’s Club, Albertsons/Safeway, Delhaize, Kroger, Publix, SUPERVALU, and Target. Led the research/development team for the delivery of $30M plus in new products. Developed three year "what success looks like" plan to gain full company alignment with top accounts resulting in transitioning the Walmart and Sam’s Club accounts to a Bentonville based Vice President. Ensured all products, programs and promotions recommended are strategically managed with a lens on consumer insights and category performance trends.

Minnetonka, Mn

Managed national organization of 30 and sales plan for national big box retail and grocery chains. Led efforts to drive one CSM company across business entities, while maintaining identity. Executed channel strategy utilizing the components of category management.

Minnetonka, Mn

Managed national sales organization of 25 and sales plan for national accounts for big box retailers. Launched three bakery programs. Partnered with Marketing to develop fact based selling materials. Built and structured sales team.

Edina, Minnesota

Managed sales territory across 11 food categories and three temperature classes, staff of seven, including national account managers, sales operations and communications team and food brokers for each account.

Edina, Minnesota

Managed direct account calls for national big box retailers and grocery chains.

Green Bay, Wi

$4B privately held dairy company, largest manufacturer of cheese. Managed $30M territory; accounts included SUPERVALU, Nash Finch, and Crystal Farms.

Minneapolis, Mn

Manufacturer and distributor of cheese, butter, eggs, and other refrigerated dairy products delivered through warehouses and store door contributing sales to the $1.5B plus Michael Foods Company.Was previously Senior Regional Sales Manager, Inside Sales Manager, and Inside Sales Supervisor from 1983-1989 prior to becoming Director Inside Sales