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John “Jack” Anton

Operating Director

Jack Anton is an Operating Director at Paine Schwartz Partners.

Mr. Anton joined Paine Schwartz Partners as an Operating Director in 2006. He was previously with the Predecessor Firm, which he joined in 2005. He brings over 35 years of experience leading organizations and acting as an investor in the worldwide food, consumer products, and specialty ingredients industries. Most recently, from 2001 through 2004, he was a Senior Advisory Director with Fremont Partners, a private equity firm, where he was instrumental in the acquisition and successful divestiture of Specialty Brands Inc. Prior to Fremont, Mr. Anton was Chairman, CEO, and co-owner of Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. He led the acquisition of Ghirardelli in 1992 and was responsible for revitalizing the company’s brand, marketing programs and growth prior to transitioning Ghirardelli to its new ownership. From 1983 to 1990, Mr. Anton served as Chairman and co-owner of Carlin Foods Corporation, a national food ingredient company serving the dairy, baking and food service industries. From 1990 to 1992, he was Chairman of Carlin Investment Corporation, which was created to invest in food and specialty chemical firms. Prior to forming Carlin Foods, he spent nearly 20 years in management and executive roles at Ralston Purina and Nabisco Brands Corporations.

Mr. Anton is on the board of Lyons Magnus and previously served on the boards of Meadow Foods, Sunrise, and WireCo. He is active on the Advisory Boards of Notre Dame’s College of Science and the University of San Francisco’s Business School. Mr. Anton is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (Bachelor of Science in Chemistry) and was raised in St. Louis, Missouri.