Gridiron Capital Enhances Centers of Excellence with the Addition of Sean Crane as Operating Partner
Crane’s Operational Expertise and Leadership Will Bolster Gridiron’s Success in Creating High-Performance Teams Across the Portfolio
NEW CANAAN, CT, April 12, 2023 – Gridiron Capital, LLC (“Gridiron Capital”), an investment firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams, is pleased to announce that Sean Crane has joined the team as Gridiron’s newest Operating Partner. Crane’s 28 years of experience as a seasoned executive will further strengthen Gridiron’s Centers of Excellence capabilities and add value to the firm’s Thematic Areas of Expertise sourcing strategy.
Before becoming an Operating Partner, Crane was the CEO of Gridiron’s Portfolio Company, The Lattice Companies. Previously, Crane served as Interim President and CEO, EVP and COO and Interim CFO at The Fresh Market. His diverse experience across operations, merchandising, marketing, strategy, store development & maintenance, finance, and accounting functions will be a great resource to management teams across Gridiron’s company partnerships.
Tom Burger, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Gridiron Capital said, “We are excited to have Sean join Gridiron Capital’s accomplished team of Operating Partners. We have enjoyed working with Sean and have great respect for him. Sean will be a strong asset to Gridiron’s Centers of Excellence and contribute additional expertise to our focus on working with our portfolio companies to enhance their High-Performance Teams. Gridiron is dedicated to building out its internal capabilities to support our existing portfolio and solidify the firm as the partner of choice for business owners and management teams.”
Kevin Jackson, Managing Partner added, “Sean has deep experience and a proven track record of building high-performance teams across branded consumer and tech-enabled services industries. We have worked alongside him for many years, and we greatly appreciate Sean’s significant contributions to The Lattice Companies. We are confident he will bring immediate value across the portfolio.”
About Gridiron Capital
Gridiron Capital is an investment firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams and creating value by building middle-market companies into industry-leaders in branded consumer, B2B and B2C services, and niche industrial segments in the United States and Canada. They help transform growing companies by winning together through hard work, partnerships grounded in shared values, and a unique culture that comes from hands-on experience building and running businesses. As a team led by former operators and entrepreneurs, we know what it takes to run successful businesses on a day-to-day basis. Additional information is available on the company’s website: www.gridironcapital.com.
About The Lattice Companies
The Lattice Companies is a leading tech-enabled commerce enablement platform serving independent dealers operating in around-the-home categories including residential services, appliances, furniture, bedding, and consumer electronics. By leveraging the aggregate scale of its large and growing membership and deep relationships with OEM brand partners and third-party business service providers, The Lattice Companies enables higher quality connectivity and sales volume for all network participants. SMB owners seek out The Lattice Companies to help achieve scale benefits and access a suite of integrated digital and business services, and brand partners and business services providers seek out The Lattice Companies to better access and serve the highly profitable independent channel. By serving multiple constituents at scale, the Lattice Companies enables SMBs to thrive.
Contacts
Gridiron Capital, LLC
Thomas A. Burger Jr., Co-Founder and Managing Partner
tburger@gridironcapital.com