John Fontana

John Fontana Email and Phone Number

Savannah, GA, US
John Fontana's Location
Savannah, Georgia, United States, United States
About John Fontana

I retired again at the start of September 2024, from RM Lucas, a portco of Artemis Capital after a two-year turnaround working hand in hand with their lead operating partner, Rudi Coetzee. Katie and I sold our home in Chicago, and we are now on the New Hampshire coast and in historic Savannah, GA. I remain on the RM Lucas Board, and I am an Independent Board member of Pangea (a BDCM portco), and Harbinger Group (a SF based modular home builder backed by Silverview Capital). I am actively looking for 1 or 2 new Board seats.I 'retired' in June 2022 from Black Diamond after 6 years as a Sr. MD/Operating Partner, and I took on an Interim CEO role at Legacy Cabinets, a portco owned by BDCM, GoldenTree, and Bank of Ireland for 3 months while a permanent CEO search was run by Spencer Stuart. I am an experienced turnaround and operating CEO, and I have PE experience as well as top tier, partner level strategy consulting experience with a Big 4 firm. I believe leadership and strong, great people go together and when engaged in a business they can truly change an industry. A CEO does not need to be infallible and a turnaround person does not need to raise the dead. But bringing spirit to a team that lacks it, dealing with the utmost integrity, giving an effort that inspires others, communicating clearly and respectfully, knowing what you are doing, having the courage to face issues head on, and when you take a misstep to apologize and do your best to make it right can bring new life to a business.Specialties: Board director in public and private firms, PE Operating partner, turning around troubled portfolio firms. Growing consumer goods brands and companies profitably and sustainably. LEAN manufacturing and operations/Toyota Production System.

John Fontana's Current Company Details
Savannah College of Art and Design

Savannah College Of Art And Design

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Board Director
Savannah, GA, US
John Fontana Work Experience Details
  • Savannah College Of Art And Design
    Savannah College Of Art And Design
    Savannah, Ga, Us
  • Rm Lucas Co
    Board Director/Former Chief Executive Officer
    Rm Lucas Co Sep 2022 - Present
    Alsip, Il, Us
    RM Lucas formulates acrylic, silicone and asphalt elastomers for the roofing and construction industry. Facilities in Chicago, Alsip, Il, Mesa, AZ and Orlando, FL
  • Gst And F_Os
    Independent Board Director Tfl And F_Os
    Gst And F_Os Jun 2021 - Present
    I have two independent Board seats, on GST Autoleather through Black Diamond Capital, and Facotory OS aka Harbinger, a Bay Area builder of modular housing units, through SilverView Capital.
  • Legacy Cabinets Llc
    Interim Ceo Legacy Cabinets Llc
    Legacy Cabinets Llc Jun 2021 - Oct 2022
    I 'retired' in June from Black Diamond after nearly 6 years as a Sr. MD/Op Partner, and took on an Interim CEO role at Legacy Cabinets, a portco owned by BDCM, GoldenTree, and Bank of Ireland for 3 months while a permanent CEO search is run by Spencer Stuart. I also am a Board member of Legacy Cabinets, TFL Chemical Group (Switzerland), and Boomerang Tube LLC. I am actively looking for 2 or 3 new Board seats independent of Black Diamond.
  • Black Diamond Capital Management Llc
    Sr. Managing Director
    Black Diamond Capital Management Llc Sep 2015 - Jun 2021
    I joined BDCM as a Sr. MD and over 6 years I led several turnarounds, restructurings, and exits, including stints as CEO at Boomerang Tube in Liberty Texas and Legacy Cabinets in Eastaboga, AL. I led the exit from Vertellus Chemicals as well as several other successful entries and exits.
  • Yankee Candle Company
    President, Yankee Candle International
    Yankee Candle Company Dec 2010 - May 2014
    South Deerfield, Ma, Us
    After a solid year building up Virginia Candle Company, an opportunity came to me that I could not pass up, leading Yankee Candle's International business from London. I was excited to join the leadership team of the industry's leading company, and having the power of Yankee behind me instead of having to compete with them is a heck of an advantage. In 2011 we grew the division by more than 30%, and expanded into many new markets in Asia, South America and Africa. In 2012 we expanded our UK DC from 40,000 square feet to 160,000, and upgraded our team and our ERP software. Growth was in excess of 20%, with a strong upward momentum. I have moved from London to Bristol to be closer to our UK operations and I am excited at the prospect for a strong 2013 with a lot of infrastructure issues behind us. We continue to introduce Yankee Candle fragrances to whole new groups of customers.
  • Smith Mountain Industries
    Ceo
    Smith Mountain Industries Apr 2009 - May 2010
    As the turnaround CEO of this $50 million manufacturer and wholesaler of candles and other home fragrance products John has dramatically upgraded the sales team and driven LEAN into operations to reduce costs and open new channels and accounts to keep growth above 60% in 2010. I opened P&G as a major new client, negotiated a co-branding agreement with Febreze ©, built a private label program with Target, and grew the WoodWick © brand in the gift channel. I left in May, 2010, when the former CEO and the PE fund decided to change course, reducing costs and apparently quality, eliminating the industry leading sales, brand, production and finance team, and shrink company revenues and profitability to a level more in keeping with a new managment team's aspirations, according to a newspaper account of the change. I remain a shareholder. .
  • Hot Stuff Foods
    Ceo
    Hot Stuff Foods Feb 2007 - Feb 2009
    Sioux Falls, Sd, Us
    CEO of this portfolio firm of Allied Capital (Previous Employer) leading the operational and sales turnaround of Hot Stuff in Sioux Falls, SD. EBITDA went from $7 million in 2008 to a planned $14 million plus in 2009 when I left. I commuted from the Washington DC area.
  • Allied Capital
    Managing Director, Lead Operating Partner
    Allied Capital Jan 2004 - Feb 2007
    Us
    Built and led the operational improvement group at this $4 billion PE/BDC firm. Involved in medical, food, industiral, service and other companies. Helped establish and drive a Shanghai office as a shared sourcing service for Allied portfolio companies. Closed on Allied's first Indian technology investment, as well as was Managing Partner for Allied's German and European investments.
  • Tigris, Inc.
    Partner
    Tigris, Inc. Jan 2002 - Jan 2004
    Joined this $5 million procurement and spend analysis consulting firm to improve sales, operations and position it for sale. The firm was sold to Vertical Net in late 2003 for 2X revenue and a 60% Equity IRR. Extensively leveraged South Asian resources for delivery excellence and cost.
  • Erunway/Vested Development
    President/Coo
    Erunway/Vested Development Jan 2000 - Jan 2002
    Led turnarounds at these offshore software development firms for VC backers. At eRunway led a refocus of the sales force, cut costs and stabilized the 700 seat US/India/Sri Lanka software product development business so the original entrepreneur could re-enter. At Vested, rebuilt the sales force for the US/Moscow based 200 seat software developer and positioned it for successful recapitalization.
  • Gen3 Partners
    Founder/Coo
    Gen3 Partners Jan 1999 - Jan 2000
    Boston, Ma, Us
    Joined the former Treacy & Co. in 1999 as Managing Partner, and with the other partners repositioned the firm as a new economy consulting firm. Helped to raise $27 million from Accel and Dell Ventures, and exited the firm when vested. Firm is successfully engaged in off-shore (Russia) engineering and new product design services.
  • Electrolux, Llc
    President
    Electrolux, Llc Jan 1998 - Jan 1999
    Stockholm, Se
    Participated in the LBO of this $400 million manufacturer and direct seller of vacuum cleaners and related products. Introduced a breakthrough new product within 120 days of closing, re-priced the line, and increased EBITDA run rate from $3 million to $14 million within the first year. Arranged the sale of the brand back to Electrolux (Sweden) for more than the original purchase price of the company. Moved the company to Dallas from Atlanta, and transitioned company leadership to the LBO sponsor's Managing Director as planned.
  • Deloitte & Touche/Braxton Associates
    Partner
    Deloitte & Touche/Braxton Associates Jan 1993 - Jan 1998
    Led a yearlong engagement for KKR in Russia at KaMAZ. Responsible for manufacturing intensive industries, MBA recruiting, and LEAN/Toyota Production System within Braxton.
  • Frito-Lay
    Senior Group Manager
    Frito-Lay Jan 1989 - Jan 1993
    Began work in plant operations, production, warehousing and moved on to multi-plant operating responsibilities, then led the "Clean Sheet" overhaul of Frito's plant and direct store distribution center network. Responsible for CAPEX, productivity and quality improvements in 28 plants.
  • Bain & Co
    Team Leader
    Bain & Co Jan 1986 - Jan 1989
    Worked in M&A and with operations intensive clients, including LBO turnarounds and LEAN/TPS engagements.

John Fontana Skills

Leadership Product Marketing E Commerce International Business Growth Strategies Mergers Executive Management Retail Sales Start Ups Portfolio Management Sourcing Sales Operations Business Development Investments Market Research Team Management Finance Strategic Planning Strategy Sales Management Management Consulting Business Planning Turn Around Management Entrepreneurship Operations Management Marketing New Business Development P&l Management Cross Functional Team Leadership Change Management Product Management Contract Negotiation Market Analysis Procurement Budgets Private Equity Business Strategy Management Product Development Due Diligence Corporate Development Marketing Strategy Venture Capital Mergers And Acquisitions Pricing

John Fontana Education Details

  • The Tuck School Of Business At Dartmouth
    The Tuck School Of Business At Dartmouth
    Accounting
  • Yale University
    Yale University
    Economics And Political Science

Frequently Asked Questions about John Fontana

What company does John Fontana work for?

John Fontana works for Savannah College Of Art And Design

What is John Fontana's role at the current company?

John Fontana's current role is Board Director.

What is John Fontana's email address?

John Fontana's email address is jo****@****ger.com

What is John Fontana's direct phone number?

John Fontana's direct phone number is +4411731*****

What schools did John Fontana attend?

John Fontana attended The Tuck School Of Business At Dartmouth, Yale University.

What skills is John Fontana known for?

John Fontana has skills like Leadership, Product Marketing, E Commerce, International Business, Growth Strategies, Mergers, Executive Management, Retail, Sales, Start Ups, Portfolio Management, Sourcing.

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