Executive Council

As a subset of the broader Executive Network, we also work with an advisory group of executives in a similar capacity as the Executive Network which constitutes our Executive Council. Members of the Executive Council each take on an active role with Bunker Hill Capital, which provides us with a highly valued resource in executing specific investment strategies with portfolio companies. Below are the Executive Council members by primary industry sector.

Industrial Products Sector

  • Frank J. Feraco is a seasoned operating executive who has over 36 years of experience in manufacturing, including significant experience in turning around troubled operations. Frank has held senior executive positions at Emerson Electric Company, Kohler Company and Textron Industrial Products.
  • Eric E. Klein is the former President and CEO of Component Hardware and has over 34 years of experience in manufacturing and distribution. Eric co-founded Component Hardware in 1981 and successfully implemented a strategy of outsourcing all manufacturing, primarily to the Far East but also domestically.
  • Bruce E. Ryan is the CEO of Maxcess International and has over 32 years of experience in the industrial products sector. He has been the CEO of companies with revenues ranging from $20 million to $300 million and has both grown and downsized businesses. Bruce has direct responsibility for all operational functions of Maxcess and has managed businesses in Europe and Asia as well as in the U.S.

Business Services Sector

  • James R. Buch has over 27 years of experience as CEO of five companies in industries as diverse as service, internet, retail and manufacturing, in both the consumer and business services sectors. Most recently, he was CEO of 3 Day Blinds, Inc. where he turned around a failing business, grew earnings 300% and completed a liquidity event for the shareholders. He is currently an operating advisor to various investment firms and the Josephson Institute of Ethics on growth strategies, turnaround and restructuring matters, CEO coaching and mentoring, management team evaluations and business model assessments.
  • Robert S. Leach is the former President and CEO of Fund I portfolio company Specialty Coating Systems and has over 32 years of experience in manufacturing and business services. Prior to joining Specialty Coating Systems in 2006, Bob held executive positions at The Slater Companies, Toray Plastics (America), GE Plastics and Monsanto Plastics & Resins.
  • David A. Minella is the Chairman and CEO of Prospect Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, and the former President and CEO of Value Asset Management. Dave has over 28 years of executive management experience in the financial services sector. Prior to joining Value Asset Management in 1997, Dave was President and CEO of Liechtenstein Global Trust Asset Management, a $60 billion asset management firm.

Specialty Retail Sector

  • Thomas J. Galligan III is the Executive Chairman of Papa Gino’s/D’Angelo and has over 25 years of experience in the retail and foodservice industries with a focus on finance and operations through execution of strategic planning. Prior to joining Papa Gino’s/D’Angelo, Tom held executive positions at Morse Shoe, PepsiCo and Arthur Young.
  • Gary T. Klencheski is the President, CEO and founder of Fitcorp, New England’s largest and most experienced provider of fitness and health promotion services. Gary has over 33 years of experience working with companies to address the prevention of lifestyle-related illnesses of employees.
  • Fortunato N. Valenti is the CEO of Smith & Wollensky as well as the CEO of Patina Restaurant Group, a family of high-end specialty restaurants. Nick has over 35 years of experience in the restaurant and foodservice industry and serves on the boards of several industry organizations.

Consumer Products Sector

  • Michael Bernstein is the Vice-Chairman of Polyconcept Group, the global leader in the promotional products industry, and has spent 14 years in the promotional products industry. Michael has excellent general management experience with particular expertise in product development and sourcing and has successfully grown businesses both organically and through acquisition.
  • William C. Hale is the founder and President of The Hale Group, a consumer products consulting firm. Bill has worked with companies of all sizes, from large multinational conglomerates to small family-owned businesses, and has led studies on a wide variety of topics including best practice vendor solutions and branded retail distribution strategies.
  • John R. Ranelli is the former CEO of Mikasa, Inc., a leading designer, developer and marketer of branded, premium tabletop products. John has over 34 years of experience in consumer products with particular expertise in branding. Prior to Mikasa, John held executive positions at FGX International, Stride Rite, Deckers Outdoor (TEVA and Ugg), TLC Beatrice and The Timberland Company.

Other Sectors

  • Charles H. Cremens is presently employed by Spirit Finance where he is the Chief Restructuring Officer. He also has been most recently involved with Hoosier Energy, Papa Ginos and General Growth Properties, where he was hired as an Independent Director and/or for strategic crisis management projects. He was the President and CEO of Conseco Finance which he managed through bankruptcy and subsequent liquidation. Chuck has over 25 years experience in the financial services industry, including holding Executive management positions at WMF Group, Beacon Properties, Aetna and Bank of Boston.
  • Fir M. Geenen is a Principal of Harlingwood Investment Partners, which actively engages management, boards of directors and shareholders of its portfolio companies to build a consensus for improving share value. Over the past 30 years, Fir has assisted a number of companies with growth and value creation strategies in a variety of industries including, transportation, financial services, business services, health care, manufacturing and retail.
  • Hugh H. MacArthur is the Head of Global Private Equity at Bain & Company and works with private equity funds on investment deal generation, strategic due diligence and portfolio company improvement. Hugh’s experience covers portfolio strategy, growth strategies, consumer and industrial marketing and sales, manufacturing cost reduction and distribution cost reduction.
  • Donald R. McIlnay has extensive experience in international business development, including opening new markets, establishing distribution channels and building local business models. Don has spent over 35 years in both industrial and consumer markets, including 21 years in general management positions with The Stanley Works, Newell and Gibson-Homans.
  • John M. Ramey is the founder and CEO of Private Equity Capital Corporation ("PECC"), which is a private equity firm focused on sponsoring change of ownership transactions in the middle market. Before founding PECC, John served as a partner at Hammond, Kennedy, Whitney and Company, a private equity firm.
  • Robert M. Wolf, Esq. is a Partner at Bingham McCutchen LLP, where he focuses his practice almost exclusively on leveraged acquisitions, recapitalizations, equity investments and mezzanine financings for a variety of private equity firms and financial institutions. Rob has spent over 25 years representing financial sponsors and financial institutions in buyout transactions and related financings.