Steve Young Email & Phone Number

Vail, Colorado, Us

As Managing Partner, Steve leads the investment portfolio at Manna Tree, and is a member of both its Executive and Investment Committees. Manna Tree invests across the consumer health and wellness ecosystem and has invested in industry-leading companies like Vital Farms, Health-Ade, Good Culture, Gotham Greens, True Food Kitchen and TruFood Manufacturing. Steve serves directly on the Board of five of Manna Tree's investments. Manna Tree is a global private equity firm empowering consumers to live better, longer. The firm strategically invests in the consumer sector, particularly within the health and wellness ecosystem, focusing on growth-stage and buyout opportunities. Manna Tree has made investments in 13 companies to date: Health-Ade, Gotham Greens, Vital Farms, Good Culture, Verde Farms, True Food Kitchen, TruFood Manufacturing, MycoTechnology, Nutriati, Urban Remedy, The New Primal, Infinant Health and Cheetah.

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

Bellisio Food Company is a $700+ million frozen foods company, operating in the branded, co-manufacturing, private label and foodservice spaces. The company is uniquely positioned in the category, with signature brands like Michelina's and relationships with companies like Walmart, Kroger, Panda Express, Nestle and McCormick Foods. It operates in the United States and Canada, and has presence across all key retail channels. Bellisio was acquired in 2018 by CP Foods, based in Bangkok, Thailand, and will be used as a platform for additional acquisitions and scale in North America. Specific accountabilities include:Responsible to Board of Directors for delivering on key performance metrics, including topline growth, margins and EBITDA. Promoted in 2022 to lead both Bellisio Brands and sister "B2B" co-manufacturing and private label-focused companies (Overhill Farms and Frozen Specialties Inc) that with merged with it for both scale and competitive advantage. Rapidly accelerate both topline growth and profits via deeper retailer and co-manufacturing partnerships, brand-building and innovation (licensing, new categories, health/wellness, etc.).Oversee Bellisio supply chain and four manufacturing facilities, including one of the largest in America, based in Jackson, OH.Transform the team and business to set the stage for additional business growth opportunities.Evaluate and lead future acquisition opportunities for CP Foods in North America.

Boulder, Colorado, Us

Sunrise Strategic Partners, based in Boulder, CO, provides growth capital and operating expertise to emerging brands in the consumer products/food space, with strong proofs-of-concept and sales velocities of approximately $10-20+ million in revenue. Sunrise was founded by Steve Hughes, founder of Boulder Brands, and Trilantic North America, a leading private equity firm. Specific accountabilities include:Accountable to investors for ensuring that Sunrise investments deliver on business and financial objectives, and that steps are taken to restructure or rapidly adjust if changes are needed to generate expected returns. Advise Sunrise portfolio companies and founders on day-to-day business operations, providing “been there, done that” operating expertise to scale businesses in a manner that will maximize both marketplace impact and enterprise value.Served as “acting CEO” or Executive Board Chair on two separate portfolio companies, guiding them through new leadership and/or business model changes.o Kill Cliff Clean Energy Drinks ($15 million in annual sales, growing at a 100%+ rate)o Coolhaus Ice Cream ($15 million in annual sales, growing at a 20%+ rate)Served on the Board of Directors for Vital Farms ($195 million in annual sales), and helped to steward it to an IPO filing in July 2020 (delivering a 7x ROI for Sunrise)Serve as Board Member/Advisor on Little Secrets Confections ($10 million) and Kodiak Cakes ($140 million)Source new investments for Sunrise, based on consumer and marketplace dynamics, with an eye on consumer trends and/or large segments where a “2.0” idea is needed to re-ignite category growth. Conduct due diligence on potential new investments, focused on business operations, existing management team assessment and value creation/scale opportunities

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

Served as chief General Mills lead and general manager for Annie's, a natural/organic company that General Mills acquired in 2014. On-track to double the business size in less than three years, and grew household penetration by over 50%, the fastest growth any food brand in 2016. Responsible for guiding commercial activities (including sales, marketing, innovation and supply chain) and for leading the overall integration into General Mills, including systems infrastructure, personnel and operating model ("Get Annie's the big company capabilities it needs but preserve its independence"). Fully accountable, along with Annie's' CEO, for both in-market and P&L performance vs. targets. In addition, led business planning, capabilities development and go-to-market strategy for General Mills' total $700+ million natural/organic portfolio. Jointly accountable with operating units for overall top- and bottom-line performance. Lead long term portfolio planning in the natural/organic space, including brand priorities, investment strategy and assessment of new business opportunities. Serve as marketing point for M&A activity for Epic Provisions, a high-growth meat snacking business that General Mills acquired in 2016.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

General management/ P&L responsibility for Yoplait's $1.0+ billion portfolio of established adult and kid products. Successfully led a business turnaround on Yoplait's adult yogurt portfolio, making bold moves to renovate Yoplait's flagship product to address changing consumer food values (removal of high fructose corn syrup, sugar reduction). Driven by these changes, grew Yoplait Original, +14% in 2013-14 -- reversing 4 years of consecutive decline. Returned the Yoplait Kid portfolio to growth after 3+ years of declining sales.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

Promoted in 2009 to provide marketing leadership for CPW's broader $2.0 billion business in over 120 countries. Drove double digit $ growth during my tenure. Responsible for CPW's emerging market strategy and expansion -- the central point in how we introduced cereal to new cultures and consumers -- much like natural/organic start-ups are doing today in the United States

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

Cereal Partners Worldwide is a global joint venture between General Mills and Nestle based in Switzerland. Relocated overseas by General Mills to lead the integration of an acquisition of the Uncle Toby's brand -- which is Australia's second largest cereal/snacks business. Responsibilities included marketing and full P&L accountability. Grew its largest business - Uncle Toby's Oats - by over 50% in three years. Managed through the integration with no unplanned team turnover for three years.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

Responsible for Cascadian Farm and Muir Glen, two pioneering organic businesses that were General Mills' initial entry into Natural/Organic food.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

Channel Development -- including Wal-Mart and Costco New Product Development

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

Assignments:Big G Kid CerealsBig G New Cereal DevelopmentBetty Crocker Main Meals

Los Angeles, California, Us

Marketing Consultant for Season Ticket Holder Acquisition.

Foster City, California, Us

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Economics, Marketing

Bs, Business Administration