David Darragh Email & Phone Number

New Orleans, Louisiana, Us

My “Second Mountain”.Revenues in 2022 increased nearly 50% and patient care increased 40%. First quarter 2023 saw revenues increase 120% with an increase in patient care by over 40%. This has been accomplished through a reorganization, strategic review and focus on areas of greatest impact, fundamental change in how revenue is raised, new unique partnerships, increased marketing and outreach efforts, and board engagement.Founded by Steve Gleason in 2011, the mission is to improve life for people living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the only national organization focused on the care of ALS patients. This is accomplished through a suite of services involving equipment, technology, voice banking, home automation, caregiver services, policy, and adventure travel.Strong relationships with equipment manufacturers and technology companies such as Microsoft, Google, Comcast, Apple have influenced and driven unique innovative solutions benefiting not only the ALS community but also those suffering from other neurodegenerative diseases.Advocacy efforts are also a focus area to gain coverage for the cost of essential items needed by those with extreme disabilities.The objective is to provide services, at no cost to the patient, to over 80% of those living with ALS in the U.S. by 2027, from the current 15%-20%. www.teamgleason.org

New Orleans, Louisiana, Us

LongueVue Capital (LVC) is a private equity firm focused on lower middle market control equity and debt investments. Act as Operating Partner. Interim CEO of portfolio company.Role is assisting LVC team source, evaluate and execute new food and beverage opportunities. Work closely with management teams post-closing in various roles to drive long-term value through strategic and operational initiatives. www.lvcpartners.com.

Atlanta, Georgia, Us

Appointed Director of Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, New Orleans branch in January 2019 for two, three-year terms, covering Louisiana, Mississippi, parts of Alabama and Florida. www.atlantafed.org.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Us

LongueVue Capital private equity backed portfolio company, Pod Pack International, a contract manufacturer specializing in packing coffee and tea in a variety of single serve formats, serving a diverse set of channels including contract managed services, office coffee services, hospitality, and retail. Grew topline and bottom line by more than 20%. www.podpack.com.

New Orleans, La, Us

More than doubled revenue from $200MM to $500MM and earnings through geographic expansion, new product development, co-manufacturing partnerships, and acquisitions.Focus was growth of multi generation family owned business across all trade channels of the company’s iconic brands including Luzianne Tea, Blue Plate Mayonnaise, New England, French Market and CDM Coffees, La Martinique Salad Dressings, Tiger Sauce, Wick Fowler and Carroll Shelby Chili Kits, and Swans Down Cake Flour.Flipped the culture involving over 600 employees to one that is now high performance, values oriented with focus on transparency, curiosity, debate, shifting the spotlight, etc.Business drifting to majority private label with no articulated strategy to do so was changed to consumer focus, bringing greater margins and control.Shut down two underperforming facilities. Acquired two coffee companies, French Market brand in 2008 and the New England Coffee Company in 2013 for $100 million and is now the company’s largest brand. Reily Foods is also a contract packer for retail and foodservice customers. Negotiated complex co-manufacturing contracts with Keurig, Walmart, others.www.reilyfoods.com.

Hunt Valley, Maryland, Us

Promoted to General Manager and then President of Zatarain’s after its sale to McCormick.Expanded the product line to include frozen meals, microwaveable shelf stable meals, additional boxed rice mix meals, condiments, spices and seasonings.Led the company through 2005 Katrina, having developed and executing the company’s first disaster preparedness and recovery plan, despite the company’s founding in 1889 in an area prone to major storms. Required relocating production to Texas, an agreement established as part of the disaster preparedness plan. Worked with Louisiana State officials to restage finished goods inventory out of state. 100,000 ready-to-eat meals were contributed to first responders and military personnel to seal the agreement.Rebuilt the New Orleans facility while filling hiring needs and creating a housing park for employees who lost everything.Never missed an order during this time of major disruption and executed a national launch of a line of ready-to-eat meals.Locating, leading and motivating the employees during this challenging time was a priority.Received high praise from McCormick for achieving successful outcomes in the face of extreme difficulty, particularly for saving an acquisition which, at the time, was McCormick’s largest.

Hunt Valley, Maryland, Us

Zatarain's, Inc. Grew the business 5-fold, from a regional player to a national brand with revenues from $35MM to $180MM. Led the Marketing, Innovation and National Expansion efforts of New Orleans-based Zatarain's, then a Citicorp Venture Capital portfolio company. Sold to McCormick which at the time was McCormick’s largest acquisition.

Vevey, Ch

Chef America, Inc. Grew brand from $100MM to $500MM in less than 5 years. Managed marketing, growth and new product development for Hot Pockets, Lean Pockets and Croissant Pockets brand stuffed sandwiches. Chef America sold to Nestle for $2.6B.

Modesto, California, Us

International marketing responsibilities included South and Central America, Caribbean and Canada.

Purchase, New York, Us

Quaker Oats. Among 5 undergraduates selected nationally for the specialized Undergraduate Marketing Associate program.Spent first 6 months rotating through Sales, Finance & Accounting, Research & Development, and Manufacturing divisions. Marketing Associate in Pet Foods division before being promoted to Assistant Marketing Manager in the Cereals and Grains Division.

Master Of Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, Organizational Behavior

Ba, English Literature/Honors Writing Fiction And Biochemistry

English Literature

Education record