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. Frank has spent ten years in private equity, originating and completing ten major transactions as well as working in an advisory capacity.
  • 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. This was a prior portfolio company of the principals of Bunker Hill Capital while at BancBoston Capital.
  • 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 GibsonHomans. Currently, Don is actively involved in a business he co-founded, Mac Business Advisors, Inc. In addition, he serves on a number of Executive Advisory Boards including Bunker Hill Capital, Global Business Resource Center, Emerging Markets Council, Fuel Sports Management and Kipper Tool Company.
  • William R. Pesch has over 30 years of experience in senior leadership positions in such firms as McBride Electric, Driessen Aircraft Interiors, Anacomp, Inc., Maytag, and Siemens Building Technologies. An accomplished CEO of four businesses with revenues from $50 million to $200 million, Bill has brought his extensive operational, financial, marketing, and sales leadership experience to a number of international markets in a variety of industries, including energy management, industrial manufacturing and consumer durables.
  • Bruce E. Ryan is the former Chairman and CEO of Maxcess International and has over 32 years of experience in the industrial products sector. He currently sits on the boards of several industrial products companies. 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 managed businesses in Europe and Asia as well as in the U.S. Bruce recently co-founded URCOMM, a privately funded group committed to the full scale commercialization of technologies based on university research. Maxcess was a prior portfolio company of the principals of Bunker Hill Capital while at BancBoston Capital.

Business Services Sector

  • Charles D. Baker, Jr. has spent the past 25 years in leadership positions in the public and private sectors. In the 1990s, he held Cabinet posts under Massachusetts Governors Bill Weld and Paul Cellucci and received the National Governor's Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 1998. He left to become the CEO of Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates and went on to become the CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Under his leadership, HPHC was selected by US News and World Report as the #1 health plan in the country for six years in a row. Charlie left HPHC in the summer of 2009 to run for Governor but lost in 2010 to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. Charlie currently serves as an Executive In Residence at General Catalyst Partners, a Cambridge-based venture capital firm, providing guidance and expertise to mid-market health care companies.
  • 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. Jim is currently the CEO of SunbriteTV, a Bunker Hill Capital portfolio company. Previously Jim 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 also recently served as 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.
  • David A. Minella is the CEO and Director of Aligned Asset Managers, a portfolio company of GTCR, that is a financial services holding company focused on investments in the asset management industry. He was formerly Chairman and CEO of Prospect Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, and the former President and CEO of Value Asset Management, a prior portfolio company of the principals of Bunker Hill Capital while at BancBoston Capital. 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 currently sits on the board of directors of Bunker Hill Capital portfolio company Specialty Brands Holdings and serves as the Executive Chairman of Papa Gino’s/D’Angelo. Tom has over 25 years of experience in the retail and foodservice industries with a focus on finance and operations through execution of strategic planning. Tom currently is a Board member of two public and three private companies. Prior to joining Papa Gino’s/D’Angelo, Tom held executive positions at Morse Shoe, Inc., PepsiCo, Inc. and Arthur Young and Co.
  • 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 35 years of experience working with companies to address the prevention of lifestyle-related illnesses of employees.

Consumer Products Sector

  • Michael Bernstein is the Vice-Chairman of Polyconcept Group, the global leader in the promotional products industry. Michael has spent 14 years in the promotional products industry, including having served as CEO of Global Promo Group, a prior portfolio company of the principals of Bunker Hill Capital while at BancBoston Capital. 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 has 30 years experience of restructuring public and private companies. Chuck most recently was President and CEO of Spirit Finance where he was responsible for its restructuring. He is an Independent Director for Intrawest Holdings, Kerzner International, Bunker Hill Capital portfolio company Specialty Brands Holdings and Capmark Financial Group. Previously, Chuck was an Independent Director for General Growth Properties during their restructuring, was President and CEO of Conseco Finance through their bankruptcy and sale, and held executive management positions with 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. He has advised funds in North America, Europe, India, Asia, Latin America, Africa and Australia. Hugh’s experience covers portfolio strategy, growth strategies, consumer and industrial marketing and sales, manufacturing cost reduction and distribution cost reduction.
  • 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 30 years representing financial sponsors and financial institutions in buyout transactions and related financings.