Wes Lucas

Wes joined Gryphon in 2017 and is Co-Head of the Operations Resources Group, an Operating Partner in the Industrial Growth Group and is a member of the Gryphon Management Committee. Wes works closely with the Operations Resources Group functional leaders and Operating Partners to optimize value across Gryphon’s portfolio of companies. In addition, he works with the leadership teams of portfolio companies to maximize short and long-term operating/financial performance and assists Gryphon deal teams in identifying, evaluating and executing investments. Current Gryphon portfolio company board appointments include Pacur, Techmer PM, Transportation Insight and Vessco Water. Wes previously served as director of Potter Global Technologies, Jensen Hughes and WSI.

Wes has over 35 years of experience leading and delivering profitable growth across many different industries and companies. He served as CEO at a Fortune 500 public company, was CEO at three different sponsor-backed middle-market businesses, and founded/held the CEO role at two high-tech startups. He has experience driving commercial, technological and manufacturing growth and organizational effectiveness for large and small companies, in both global and domestic markets.

PAST EXPERIENCE

• SIRVA, President, CEO, and Member of the Board – Drove a successful turnaround and long-term growth at the world’s largest relocation and moving company with approximately 1,500 locations in 170 countries.  
• Sun Chemical, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board – During a five-year tenure, increased net income and cash flow and grew revenue at double the industry rate at the world’s largest specialty chemical company in pigments and inks.  
• BioMass Capital, Co-Founder & CEO – Designed, built, ramped-up, and funded the world’s largest renewable energy biomass plant. Sold to Europe’s largest electric utility.
• OpenWebs, Co-Founder and CEO – Took this software start–up in peer–to–peer, network trading solutions from origination, design, ramp-up and commercial/operational success to a successful merger.
• Quebecor World, President, CEO, and Member of the Board – Led successful work-out, restructuring and reorganization of this publicly traded, second-largest printer in the world.   Kodak Polychrome, Co-Chairman – Steered world’s largest printing media company.
• NOVA Chemicals, President, Styrenics & Corporate EVP – Led spin-off plastics company to position as world’s second-largest stryenics player. Successfully completed IPO.  
• AlliedSignal, Vice-President – Held leadership roles in strategy, M&A and growth initiatives at this Fortune 500 company.
• McKinsey & Company, Consultant – Focused on growth, strategy and operational improvement in a Europe-based role.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

B.S., Finance & Accounting, University of California, Berkeley
M.B.A., Harvard University

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Presbyterian Church, Ruling Elder, Stewardship Chairman and President of the Church

Pepperdine University, Board of Directors

WHEN NOT WORKING

Wes loves spending time in the mountains and being in nature with his family and friends. He is an avid mountaineering skier (competed in two National Championships for Ski Mountaineering), a backcountry skier and climber.