Private Equity Guest Services
Resume:
JONATHAN S. SMIGA - page *
Jonathan S. Smiga
***** ********* ****, ********, ** 32776
*************@*****.***
Summary
Senior executive, strategist and investor committed to best-of-class performance and social values. Deep academic and industry roots in hospitality, food and business. Creates or transforms brands and businesses through innovation and impact to the world. Broadly varied experiences from early-stage to billion-dollar consumer facing companies, working with both internal and external stakeholders. Vertical expertise includes nutritional health of people, pets and the planet, food tech, and hospitality. Combines a native understanding of market forces with actionable strategies to create differentiation, and strong economic and consumer value.
Relevant Experience
• Extensive Food and Beverage leadership from restaurant start-ups to 500+ units serving fast casual, casual dining and luxury brands.
• Strategic Innovation leader driving brand evolution and customer engagement from food service to CPG brands including at sector leading brands Olive Garden, Disney, Williams-Sonoma, Illy Espresso, and Robert Mondavi.
• Developed and revolutionized successful programs at scale to drive revenue, mission, and operational excellence for multi-location, billion-dollar brands.
• Deeply rooted restaurant and culinary training in US and Europe.
• Private Equity and Venture Capital partner in better-for-you food and wellness sectors.
• Deeply rooted academic, consulting and business acumen including finance, fund raising, strategy, team building and platform competencies. Specific Roles – Innovation and Strategic Leadership Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Keen Growth Capital 2015-2024
Created this Impact focused venture fund with AUM of $100m. Drove investments in premium foods, food science, and technologies focused on health and wellness. Food tech portfolio performed at a 4x return on invested capital. Recognized leader in Food as Medicine space with a global network.
Managing Partner
Natural Growth Venture 2006-2010
Early-stage venture fund dedicated to the natural health & wellness markets. Knowledge Partner with Kleiner, Perkins’ $900 million Green Growth Fund, Menlo Park, CA. JONATHAN S. SMIGA - page 2
Principal
Smiga Strategic Advisory 2002-2005
Engagements focused on strategic planning, consumer insights, competitive positioning, and acquisitions.
Consumer Insights/Research
- Iconoculture, Inc., Minneapolis – Senior Consumer Strategist for Fortune 1000 companies.
- Technomic, Inc. Chicago — Special Consultant to the President. Provided brand strategy, marketing, program research and implementation. Private Equity
- Marwit Capital, Newport Beach, CA – Advisor on acquisitions, valuation and execution of investments. Portfolio strategy for existing companies including healthcare, retail, organic dairy and nutritional bar business. $300 million fund.
- TSG Consumer Partners, SF, CA – advisor to managing partner on acquisition targets, evaluation and strategy. $1 billion fund.
Food & Restaurant Industry
- The Cheesecake Factory, Inc., Calabasas –Worked with executive team on brand performance, concept and beverage strategies resulting in a $5 million gain in earnings.
- Ciao Bella Gelato Company, New York. Strategic Exit Planning and execution of a $15 million exit to private equity fund.
- Chuao Chocolatier, San Diego. Strategic planning and funding.
- Hawaiian Springs LLC, Honolulu. Business strategy, Asian Expansion and funding/ strategic partnerships.
- Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Inc., Seattle – National Account Advisor. Business strategy, sales team training, key account presentations.
- Constellation Wines, Inc. – Strategic Planning Advisor focused on sales, wine educator training, and consumer insights.
Director of Education; Director of Institutional Advancement The Culinary Institute of America 1985-1991
Executive role in transforming culinary school from “trade” to “professional” status through curricular evolution, expansion of degree offerings and campuses, a capital campaign and numerous industry partnerships. Wrote all coursework for table service, wine, leadership and restaurant design. Oversaw five restaurants including two Mobil 5-star outlets and a large event operation.
Specific Roles – Food Industry and Hospitality
President & CEO Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen 2010-2015
Partner and executive leader for the turn-around of this 40-year-old specialty coffee leader. Reengineered entire enterprise, resulting in revenue growth of 300% to $15 million. Managing Partner
Dept. C Wines LLC 2006 - 2010
JONATHAN S. SMIGA - page 3
Co-Founder of this boutique winery specializing in premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from various single vineyard appellations in California and Oregon. 1,200 cases. Senior Buyer/Merchandise Manager – Multiple Categories Williams-Sonoma 2005 - 2006
Led concept and assortment planning. Oversaw three business sectors and over 1,200 SKUS representing 60% of revenue across 260-stores plus catalog and e-commerce. Founder and COO
The Stand Restaurants 2002 - 2005
Co-founded this multi-unit fast casual LA based in Los Angeles concept. Focused on premium street food menu. Named “Best Cheap Eats in LA” by LA magazine, Esquire and NY Times. GM/VP
Robert Mondavi/Disney 1999 - 2002
Working with the Disney joint venture team, led development of Golden Vine Winery, a $27m JV within California Adventure bringing Napa Valley and Mondavi brand to millions of guests. GVW included a 120-seat luxury restaurant, a 40-seat outdoor terrace menu, a 250-seat outdoor space supporting a specialty/deli operation, a retail store, theater and demonstration vineyard and related consumer education programs. Selected and trained 250 employees including a management team of 20. Awarded highest Guest Satisfaction Scores in Disney Parks and acclaimed in national media as best in class. Strategic Advisor, Regional Vice President
Illy Espresso SPA 1995-1999
Special advisor to the Illy family and this $600 million, 100-year-old leader of Italian coffee including strategic planning, a regional distribution center (SE), and key national account sales.
Director of Sales & New Business
General Mills/Darden Restaurants 1992-1995
Led Olive Garden (700 units+) through a major repositioning. Authored and implemented culinary, wine and service programs and training for over 15,000 employees. 80% increase in operating profit, new growth and improved positioning for this multi-billion-dollar brand. Education
New York University, Stern School of Business 1989 - 1991 MBA –Management and Marketing Concentration
Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration 1980 – 1982 MPS – Hotel Management. Senior Lecturer and Graduate Teaching Assistant New College of Florida 1975 – 1980
BA – Humanities
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