John Appel Email & Phone Number

Helping craft beer and spirits companies throughout the US drive growth and profitability. Activities include: - budgeting and forecasting; - sales data analysis and reporting tools; - key performance indicator dashboards; - product costing; - strategic planning; - project analysis; - financial reporting enhancement; - accounting and ERP system implementation; - key supplier and business partner contract negotiation; - investor relations and reporting; - debt financing and equity capital raising; - merger and acquisition advisory; - internal communication process improvement; - management coaching and mentoring; - employee recruitment and retention; - incentive plan development; and - succession planning.

Rio Grande, New Jersey, Us

Cape May Brewing is one of the largest craft beer breweries in New Jersey, with a 30-barrel production brewery and a highly profitable self-distribution model.Strengthened processes and communication to support rapid growth. Guided development of brewery and distribution KPI tracking systems. Led a strategic planning process that drove enhancements throughout the company. Restructured the chart of accounts and improved the consistency and clarity of financial reporting.

Magnolia Brewing Company is a leading San Francisco craft brewery, operating a 30-barrel production brewery, a 7-barrel small-batch brewery and two restaurants.Grew wholesale beer sales with the launch of packaged beer and led a successful operational turnaround of the restaurant business. Built a high performance culture focused on metrics and profitable growth. Positioned the company to emerge successfully from a Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Kyiv, Ua

GRG is an international quick serve restaurant operator owned primarily by U.S. investors. The company is KFC's largest franchisee in Ukraine, where it operates several high-volume stores in the capital city of Kyiv. Its store portfolio includes the world's largest KFC drive-thru.Led an investor group to fund the company’s start-up. As CFO, established initial finance, accounting and IT teams and optimized the business for profitability in Ukraine's challenging economic environment.

Apta Capital is a private equity firm focused on growth equity investments in companies that can use its combination of operating expertise and flexible capital.Managed firm activities, including recruiting, marketing, business development, and transaction execution. Assembled investment team and capital sources, which include family offices, high net worth individuals and insurance companies.

In Search of Value is a website featuring public company research, analysis and commentary. It is located at www.johnappel.com.Published equity research and analysis, leveraging executive contacts in consumer products, retail, technology, insurance and financial services for investment ideas and unique industry perspective. Numerous accurate assessments and predictions won praise from journalists, investment professionals, and industry leaders.

Senior executive responsible for sourcing and managing private equity investments. Established Emigrant’s “Executive Partner” program. Built Emigrant’s branded consumer products group: brought in three operating partners, and worked with them to originate all of the group’s investments and to develop and execute the value creation strategy for each company. Originated Emigrant’s printing and packaging platform investment. Played an active role on six portfolio company boards.

Advised companies regarding capital raising, acquisitions and valuation. Made private debt and venture capital investments with personal capital, capital from a network of private investors and a small fund. Invested mainly in software and SaaS companies.

Helped form U.S.I. Holdings, which became one of the largest U.S. commercial insurance brokers, and advised the company on more than 40 acquisitions over three years. Participated in purchases and sales of portfolio companies in diverse industries, including consumer products, media, and manufacturing. Raised multiple rounds of equity and debt financing for Saratoga portfolio companies. Taught LBO portion of analyst/associate training program.

General corporate finance and merger & acquisition activities included company sale assignments, debt private placements, fairness opinions, and merger, divestiture, recapitalization, leveraged buyout and dividend policy analyses. Transitioned to Saratoga Partners buyout group in 1991.

Managed Merrill Lynch’s relationships with two cities and other municipal entities. Structured over $2.5 billion of senior managed bond issues. Designed models for debt issues, interest rate swaps and securities portfolios. Developed a strategic planning model for a public utility. Led analyst training seminars.

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Accounting And Finance

Bachelor'S Degree, Business Administration