Craig Nikrant

Craig joined Gryphon in 2018 as an Exclusive Executive Advisor after the successful sale of Washing Systems, a former Gryphon portfolio company where he was CEO. He led the development of Gryphon’s thesis in specialty materials and chemicals, and in  2020, Craig became a full-time Operating Partner with the Heritage Fund Group. In this role, he works closely with management teams of the fund’s portfolio companies to maximize short and long-term operating and financial performance. He also assists Gryphon deal teams in identifying, evaluating and executing investments. Current Gryphon portfolio company board appointments include Kano Laboratories, Pacur, Techmer PM and Vivify Specialty Ingredients.

Craig has 40 years of experience leading high performance teams driving growth and organizational effectiveness across commercial, technology and manufacturing functions for global specialty materials companies.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

• Washing Systems, CEO & board Member – Led and facilitated an expedited sale of this Gryphon portfolio company with a successful close in August of 2018 to Kao International, a $13 billion Japanese public company.
• PolyOne, Senior Vice President, Executive Officer, and President of the Global Specialty Engineered Materials Division – Led the reportable operating segment of the world’s leading formulator of specialty materials, doubling the size of the business to 1,100 employees and 18 sites around the world and transformed it into a high-margin specialty formulator of advanced materials. Executed seven acquisitions during his tenure and launched the move into composites.
• General Electric Company – Spent 17 years in various leadership positions at GE Plastics, including General Manager of the Specialty Film and Sheet business, leading the global commercial effectiveness effort and becoming certified as a Six Sigma master black belt. Over his tenure, Craig also held a variety of cross-functional roles in marketing, commercial leadership and manufacturing.
• 3M Company, Account Manager – Began career in the Industrial Specialties Division of 3M.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

B.S., Business Administration, Bowling Green State University
Graduate, GE Crotonville Management Institute

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Ohio, board Member 2007 – 2016
Greater Cleveland Sports Commission Trustee, nonprofit leveraging sports for the economic benefit of Greater Cleveland, Ohio, 2016 -2019

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Craig loves reading, history and 70s rock and roll. Ron Chernow and David McCullough are his favorite authors. When not playing golf, he and his wife Debbie love spending time with their two daughters and grandchildren.