BNET Industries

Last Fiscal Year Sales:$1.5B
  • Private
  • US
Dow Jones Description

In partnership with management, Fox Paine specializes in providing solutions and capital for management buyouts, public-to-private transactions and growth capital investments. We participate exclusively in friendly, cooperative transactions with the aim of creating tangible value for all parties involved. Founded in 1997, our firm currently manages more than $1.5 billion, and our partner companies operate in over 30 countries. Central to the way we do business is the belief that problem-solving, hard work and long term partnerships produce opportunity and, ultimately, return on capital. Rather than being daunted by multi-faceted and complex deals, we thrive on situations that require in-depth due diligence, thoughtful analysis and creative thinking to address issues and implement solutions. We draw on our team?s deep and diverse industry expertise and an extensive network of global contacts. Our objective is to identify investment opportunities that will?with patience and innovative problem-solving?yield superior, risk-adjusted returns. We believe a strong, interactive, ongoing relationship with management, predicated on a thorough understanding of each business, is essential to realizing the full potential of each investment. We take pride in the analysis we make prior to our investments, and in our commitment to build upon relationships established during the diligence process. ...

Number of Employees 10
Contact Information

950 Tower Ln Ste 1150

Foster City, California 94404

www.foxpaine.co...

(650) 235-2075

NAICS Code Securities Brokerage: 523120

Decision Makers

Name (plus bio) Position
Saul A. Fox CEO
Amy E. Ghisletta Chief Financial Officer
Seth J. Gersch COO
Robert M. Meyer Vice President of Finance
Kevin M. Schwartz Managing Director
Bruno Ferrari Operating Director
Jack Anton Operating Director
Jay Pulaski Director, Finance
Stephan Kessel Operating Director
Zina Vaysman Treasurer & Controller
Angelos J Dassios Principal
Ayush Singhania Associate
Brian D Rossing Associate
Brian J Smith Associate
Christopher Ruettgers Principal
Delara Zarrabi Associate
Erik M Glover Principal
Raphael L. de Balmann Principal
Sohail Shahrasebi Associate

Board of Directors

Name (plus bio) Position
W. Dexter Paine Chairman
Robert Haddock Board of Directors

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC CEO Current
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Chief Executive Current
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Founder Current
University of Pennsylvania Law School Board of Overseers Current
United America Indemnity, Ltd. Chairman Current
United National Group Ltd. Chairman Current
Cradle Holdings Inc. Director Current
Fred Meyer, Inc. Director Current
WJ Communications Incorporated Director Current
Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. Director Current
Motel 6 Director Current
American Forest Products LLC Director Current
Byram Healthcare Centers, Inc. Director Current
United America Indemnity, Ltd. CEO Former
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. partner Former
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Team Member Former
Latham & Watkins management Former
Seminis Inc. Former
Cradle Holdings Inc. Chairman Former
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Director Former
United National Group Ltd. Director Former
University of Pennsylvania Law School J.D Former
Temple University B.S. in Communications Former

Ms. Ghisletta was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley (B.S., Business Administration, 1988). After graduating from UC Berkeley, Ms. Ghisletta joined Deloitte & Touche, LLP in their San Francisco audit practice where she served financial services clients, including securities broker/dealers, investment partnerships and asset management companies. In 1997, Ms. Ghisletta joined Tucker Anthony Sutro (TAS), Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. During her five years with TAS, Ms. Ghisletta served as a Financial Analyst for their Equity Capital Markets Division and, most recently, as Chief Financial Officer for TAS' asset management subsidiary, as well as Vice President in their Corporate Financial Analysis and Reporting group. Ms. Ghisletta is a Certified Public Accountant and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Chief Financial Officer Current
Paine & Partners Chief Operating Officer Current
California Society of Certified Public Accountants Board of Directors Current
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Member Current
California Society of Certified Public Accountants Member Current
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu audit practice Former
University of California, Berkeley B.S. in Business Administration Former
University of California B.S. in Business Administration Former

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC COO Current
Superior Bancorp Managing Director Former
Superior Bancorp General Partner Former
Pace University Former

Mr. Meyer was raised outside of Monterey, California. He is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University (B.S., Business Administration, 1993) and Golden Gate University (M.S., Taxation, 2001). After graduation from Cal Poly, Mr. Meyer joined a regional public accounting firm on the Monterey Peninsula where he provided audit and tax compliance services to a variety of industries. In 1996, Mr. Meyer joined the San Francisco Bay Area public accounting firm Jones, Schiller & Company, LLP where in addition to advising the predecessor firm since its inception, he provided audit and tax services as a partner focused primarily on tax compliance and planning. Mr. Meyer joined the predecessor firm in 2005 as the Vice President of Finance, and in 2008 was named Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Meyer is a Certified Public Accountant and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Organization Position Status
Paine & Partners Chief Financial Officer Current
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Vice President of Finance Current
Mikunda, Cottrell & Co., Inc. Principal, Tax Department Current
Alaska Society of Certified Public Accountants Board of Directors Current
California Society of Certified Public Accountants Board of Directors Current
The Salvation Army Board of Directors Current
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Member Current
California Society of Certified Public Accountants Member Current
California Polytechnic State University M.S., Taxation Former
Golden Gate University M.S. Former
California Polytechnic State University B.S. Former
The Cal Poly Co Former
University of San Francisco Former

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Managing Director Current
Paine & Partners Partner Current
Icicle Seafoods, Inc. Board of Directors Current
Seminis Inc. Director Current
American Industrial Partners Team Member Former
Fremont Partners Team Member Former
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. financial analyst Former
Goldman, Sachs & Co. Financial Analyst Former
University of Illinois B.S. in Accountancy Former
Seminis Inc. member Former

Bruno Ferrari was born and raised in Mexico City. He received his B.S. from the Escuela Libre de Derecho in Mexico City, his M.S. with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Law, from the Laternance University in Rome, Italy, and a B.S. in Canonic Law and a Ph.D in Law from the Roman Academic Center of the Holy Cross in Rome. For over 15 years, he has enjoyed a successful career in a variety of industries and geographies with a focus on Agribusiness, transforming at-risk companies into thriving enterprises by focusing on the development of human capital. Dr. Ferrari previously served as the President and CEO of Seminis, Inc., a portfolio investment company of Fox Paine. Dr. Ferrari helped Seminis grow from a small company into the world's largest developer, producer and marketer of vegetable seeds through both organic growth initiatives and numerous mergers and acquisitions. Prior to his time at Seminis, Dr. Ferrari spent eight years in a variety of corporate positions at Grupo Pulsar, which was one of the largest corporations in Mexico. Dr. Ferrari has published several volumes on Marriage and Family Law. Since 1997, he has contributed columns to several magazines and newspapers, including El Financiero, El Observador, El Norte and 30 Giorni to name a few. He has also participated in several Executive Development programs at Harvard, Stanford University, and The Wharton School of Business, among others. He is a founding member of Mexicanos Primero, an organization determined to change the face of education in Mexico, and is on the board of the Fundacion Televisa. He is also a member of the Private Sector Committee of CGIAR, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research of the World Bank. He has been a member of the International Seed Federation and the American Seed Trade Association. He was on the board of the Instituto de Fomento e Investigacion Educativa and Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon and founded DUXX, Escuela de Graduados en Liderazgo Empresarial. Dr. Ferrari has had the opportunity to live in Brazil, Spain, France, Italy and the United States. He speaks five languages and conducts business in several countries. He resides in California with his wife and four sons.

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Operating Director Current
The World Bank Current
Seminis Inc. Producer Former
Universidad Autonoma Former
American Seed Trade Association Member Former

Mr. Anton was raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (B.S., Chemistry). Mr. Anton has enjoyed a successful career as an operating executive and private investor in the food, consumer products and specialty ingredient industries. Mr. Anton began his career with Ralston Purina and later joined Nabisco Brands Corporation, spending nearly 20 years in various management and executive roles between the two companies. In 1983, Mr. Anton left Nabisco and founded Carlin Foods Corporation, a national food ingredient company serving the dairy, baking and food service industries, where he served as Chairman and co-owner from 1983 to 1990; and from 1990 to 1992 as Chairman of Carlin Investment Corporation, which was created to invest in food and specialty chemical firms. In 1992, Mr. Anton led the acquisition of Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. As Chairman, CEO and co-owner of Ghirardelli, Mr. Anton was responsible for revitalizing the company's brand, marketing programs and growth prior to transitioning Ghiradelli to its new ownership. In 2001, Mr. Anton joined Fremont Partners, a private equity management firm, as Senior Advisory Director, where he was instrumental in the acquisition and successful divestiture of Specialty Brands Inc. Mr. Anton served as an infantry officer in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star for valor during combat operations. He serves on the CNF Inc. Board of Directors; the Advisory Boards of Notre Dame's College of Science and the University of San Francisco's Business School; as a Trustee to the Schools of the Sacred Heart, San Francisco; and as a past Trustee to the Allendale Association, a Chicago-based school for abused children. He is also a member of the World Presidents Organization.

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Operating Director Current
San Francisco Trustee Current
Con-Way Inc. Director Current
Wire Rope Corporation of America, Inc. Board of Directors Current
Basic American Foods, Inc. Board of Directors Current
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Board of Directors Current
Fremont Partners Senior Advisory Director Former
Specialty Brands, Inc. Senior Advisory Director Former
University of Notre Dame B.S., Chemistry Former

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Director, Finance Current
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Assistant Vice President Former
Rsm McGladrey, Inc. Former
Fairfield University Former

Stephan Kessel was raised in Aachen, Germany. He is a graduate of the Rheinisch Westfalische Technische Hochschule (University) of Aachen (Doctor's degree, Chemistry). Mr. Kessel has enjoyed a successful career as an operating executive and advisor for value-added industrial and manufacturing companies, with specific expertise in the automotive sector. Mr. Kessel began his career in a research and development capacity with Continental AG, the leading supplier of tires, brake and chassis systems to the automotive industry. In 1995, Mr. Kessel assumed responsibility of Continental's OEM tires business, successfully turning around its performance. In 1997 he became a Member of the Executive board and succeeded in leading the turnaround of Continental's truck tire business after 12 years of reported losses. Mr. Kessel became CEO of Continental in 1999. As CEO, he was responsible for the acquisition of the automotive electronic division TEMIC, the creation of a JV with Yokohama Tires and the turnaround of Contental's ContiTrade division.

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Operating Director Current
Continental Member of the Executive Board Former

Zina Vaysman is a graduate of Odessa University (B.S. Business Administration). Prior to joining Fox Paine in 2009, Ms. Vaysman was Chief Financial Officer of Guzik Technical Enterprises, Inc. Ms. Vaysman is a Certified Public Accountant and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Treasurer & Controller Current
California Society of Certified Public Accountants Board of Directors Current

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Principal Current
Paine & Partners Current
United National Group Ltd. Director Current
WJ Communications Incorporated Board of Directors Current
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Vice President Former
Goldman, Sachs & Co. Financial Analyst Former
United America Indemnity, Ltd. Board of Directors Former
Dartmouth College A.B. In Applied Mathematics Former

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Associate Current
Credit Suisse Analyst Former
University of California, Berkeley Former

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Associate Current
Nomura Securities Co, Ltd. interned Former
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. analyst Former
Claremont McKenna College B.A. in Economics and Government Former

Mr. Smith was raised in Dallas, Texas. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin (B.B.A., Finance, Cum Laude, 2003). During college, Mr. Smith served as an intern at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. in the Natural Resources group of the Investment Banking Division. After graduation in 2003, Mr. Smith joined Greenhill & Co., Inc. as an Analyst focusing on mergers & acquisitions and restructuring transactions, as well as investments for the firm's private equity fund. In 2005, Mr. Smith joined Fox Paine and is focused on new investment opportunities.

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Associate Current
Greenhill & Co, Inc. Analyst Former
The University of Texas B.B.A., Finance Former
The University of Texas at Austin Former

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Principal Current
Byram Healthcare Centers, Inc. Board of Directors Current
Icicle Seafoods, Inc. Board of Directors Current
Paine & Partners Director Current
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Vice President Former
Ernst & Young Mergers & Acquisitions office Former
College of the Holy Cross B.A., History Former

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Associate Current

Mr. Glover was raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, 2002). After graduation in 2002, Mr. Glover joined Goldman, Sachs & Co. as an Analyst in the Industrials and Natural Resources group of the Investment Banking Division. While there, he focused on mergers & acquisitions and strategic advisory for energy, power and chemicals companies. In 2004, Mr. Glover joined Fox Paine. His current and historic investment responsibilities include VCST Industrial Products BVBA, Erno Laszlo Inc., L'Artisan Parfumeur and Penhaligon's LTD.

Organization Position Status
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. interned Former
Goldman, Sachs & Co. Former
Massachusetts Institute of Technology B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Former

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Principal Current
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Vice President Former
The Blackstone Group L.P. analyst Former
Stanford Graduate School of Business MBA Former
Harvard University AB, Social Studies Former

Organization Position Status
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Associate Current
WJ Communications Incorporated Current
New York University B.S. In Finance and Economics, Cum Laude Former

Organization Position Status
Paine Corporation Co-Founder Current
Paine & Partners Partner Current
University of California guest lecturer Current
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Chairman Current
WAV, Inc. Chairman of The Board Current
Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. Director Current
Byram Healthcare Centers, Inc. Director Current
Capital Z Board of Directors Current
United America Indemnity, Ltd. Board of Directors Current
Wire Rope Corporation of America, Inc. Board of Directors Current
Fox Paine & Company, LLC President Former
WJ Communications Incorporated Chairman Current
Robertson, Stephens & Company General Partner Former
Kohlberg & Company, L.L.C. Senior Partner Former
Bankers Trust Company Inc. Structured Finance Group Former
Fox Paine & Company, LLC co-found Former
Kohlberg & Company, L.L.C. Team Member Former
Berkeley Haas School of Business Board Member Former
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Board of Directors Former
WJ Communications Incorporated Board of Directors Former
Williams College B.A. In Economics Former

Mr. Haddock is a graduate of Fordham University (B.A. English, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1967), the University of Wisconsin (M.A. Political Science, 1968), and Stanford University (J.D., 1972, M.B.A., 1978). After graduating from Stanford, Mr. Haddock worked for two years at Itel Corporation, where he arranged international financings for the acquisition and lease of commercial aircraft. In 1980, Mr. Haddock joined the hospitality group of Ramada Inc. and in 1987 was named Chief Financial Officer.

Organization Position Status
Paine & Partners Operating Director Current
Fox Paine & Company, LLC Board of Directors Current
Itel Corporation Former
Fordham University Former