Consumer/Specialty Retail: Executive Advisors
James Berk - CEO, Participant Media
Jim is CEO of Los Angeles-based Participant Media, an entertainment company focused on socially relevant,
commercially viable feature films, documentaries and television. He formerly served as Chairman and CEO of
Gryphon Colleges Corporation. Under his leadership, Gryphon acquired National Career Education, allowing
for the establishment of platform services and branding which lead to multiple add-on acquisitions.
Jim’s prior experience includes serving as President and CEO and Board Director for Fairfield
Communities, Inc., the nation’s largest independent vacation ownership and resort companies and
President and CEO of Hard Rock Cafe International.
John Bowlin - Former President & CEO, SAB Miller & Kraft Foods International
John currently serves as a director of various privately held companies and is a member of both the audit
committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee for Spectrum Brands where he has served as
a director since 2004. In 2007, John was appointed Chairman of the Board of Spectrum. John served as
President and CEO of SABMiller PLC and held several senior executive positions at Phillip Morris Companies,
Inc., including CEO of Miller Brewing Company; President and CEO of Kraft Foods International; and President
and COO of Kraft North American; and President of Oscar Meyer Food Corporation. Additional industry
experience includes various positions at General Foods Corporation.
Elizabeth Culligan - Former President & COO, A&P Grocery Stores
Elizabeth led A&P, an $11 billion supermarket chain with operations in 15 states in the United States
and Canada. The company’s 700 stores operated under a mix of trade names including A&P,
Waldbaum’s, Food Emporium, Super Foodmart, SuperFresh, Farmer Jack, Kohl’s, Sav-a-Center, Food
Basics, Dominion and the Barn. At A&P, she oversaw all operating functions, regional and store
operations, merchandising, marketing and strategy, supply chain and logistics and real estate development
and covered 80,000 full and part time employees.
David Kantor - Former Senior Partner, Booz & Co.
David is principal and founder of dkantorassociates, llc, a firm that provides counseling services to
senior management on strategy and organization and acts as advisor to private equity and technology start-ups
focused on consumer goods and services. Since founding the firm in 2005, he has worked with the senior
management teams of several of the large foods, packaged goods and agribusiness companies; provided strategic
direction, portfolio consulting, acquisition support and identification of senior operating management for
Gryphon Investors.
Leslie Moeller - Managing Partner, Booz & Co.
Les leads Booz & Co.’s North American Consumer, Media and Retail Market Practice. Previously, he
led the firm’s global sales and marketing service offering. His primary area of expertise is helping
firms develop new business models to drive growth and reduce cost. A noted authority, Les is the author of
“The Better Half:
The Artful Science of ROI Marketing,” which appeared in Booz & Co.’s strategy+business
magazine and served as the catalyst for his book,
The Four Pillars of Profit-Driven Marketing, published in 2009 by McGraw-Hill.
Nick White - President & ECO, White & Associates
Nick is founder of White & Associates, an international retail solutions firm focused on strategy,
partnerships, logistics and concepts. Prior to founding his firm, Nick held numerous executive and management
level positions with Wal*Mart Stores, Inc., including Executive Vice President and General Manager of the
Supercenter division; Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sam’s Wholesale Club. He serves
as a director of Gold Toe Corporation, Oneida Ltd. and Playtex Products, Inc. White & Associates has
worked with several emerging and industry leading retailers and suppliers providing insight into operations
and improved efficiencies.
- Proactive Initiatives & Sectors of Interest:
- Auto After-Market Products
- Household Products
- Multi-Site Retail or Services
- Refreshment Beverages
- Packaged Food
- Personal Care/OTC
- Private Label CPG

With the head, foreclaws, and wings of an eagle and the torso of a lion, the gryphon is a mythical animal that protects hidden treasures while symbolizing strength and vigilance.

