Executive moves, week of July 20, 2009

Ex-Dow Jones CEO Zannino lands at CCMP Capital

CCMP Capital Advisors is bulking up its expertise in the media and retailing sectors, adding Richard Zannino to the staff as a managing director and member of its investment committee.

Zannino’s most recent post was as CEO of Dow Jones & Co., publisher of the Wall Street Journal. Zannino left Dow Jones in January 2008 after the completion of News Corp.’s $5 billion acquisition of the company. Prior to joining Dow Jones in 2001, Zannino was an executive vice president with fashion retailer Liz Claiborne, executive vice president and CFO of industrial products maker General Signal, and executive vice president and CFO of department store operator Saks Fifth Avenue.

“This is another major milestone in the execution of our plan to add seasoned operating professionals to our senior management team,” said Greg Brenneman, chairman of CCMP Capital, in a statement addressing Zannino’s hiring. “Our operating talent is a key differentiator for CCMP and will prove increasingly important in generating outsized returns for our investors.”

New York-based CCMP Capital was founded in 2006 when it spun out from JPMorgan Chase & Co. The firm closed on a $3.4 billion buyout fund in late 2007. Its portfolio includes movie theater operator AMC Entertainment; Aramark, a Philadelphia-based provider of food and uniform services; National Surgical Care, a Chicago-based operator of surgery centers; Quiznos Sub, a Denver quick-service restaurant chain; and drug developer Warner Chilcott. —Michael Baron

Roark adds Hill

Geoff Hill has agreed to join Roark Capital Partners as a vice president, effective Jan. 1, 2010 . Hill is currently president of Cinnabon Inc., where he will remain throughout 2009 to help company president Gary Bales during the transition. Cinnabon is part of Focus Brands, a Roark Capital portfolio company.

Insight promotes Kerlin

Insight Equity has promoted Eliot Kerlin from vice president to principal. He joined the Southlake, Texas-based firm in 2005, and he manages its investment in Cleveland, Ohio-based Atwood Mobile Products, a maker of auto parts and components.

Advent taps Indian investor

P. Jayendra Nayak

has joined Advent International as an operating partner focused on Indian investment opportunities. He is the former chairman and CEO of Axis Bank.

CDR hires advisor

Paul Pressler

has joined Clayton Dubilier & Rice as an advisor. He previously was president and CEO of Gap Inc., and before that spent 15 years with The Walt Disney Co.

High Road boosts staff


High Road Capital Partners
has promoted Ben Schnakenberg and Adi Blum each to the position of vice president. Schnakenberg joined last year as an associate from LaSalle Bank, while Blum was with Citigroup Global Markets.

Covington adds to health care team

Steven Mermelstein

and David Wood have joined the health care team of the investment bank Covington Associates as a managing director and vice president, respectively. They previously were with Ferghana Partners.