Arbor Investments (“Arbor”), a specialized private equity firm focusing exclusively on food, beverage and related industries announced several new hires in the first quarter of 2021.

FUNCTIONAL DISCIPLINE TEAM ADDITIONS

Jim Durkin has joined Arbor as Senior Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain. Durkin most recently led Operations for Blommer Chocolate Company, one of the largest producers of cocoa products in North America. Prior to Blommer Chocolate, Durkin spent 32 years at Kraft Foods in several leadership assignments including the restructuring of Oscar Mayer Integrated Supply Chain and Manufacturing, led the Kraft Cheese & Dairy Integrated Supply Chain organization and managed Global Engineering.

Andrew Perlman has joined Arbor as Associate General Counsel. Perlman most recently was an Associate at Sidley Austin, LLP and previously an Associate at DLA Piper. In both roles, Perlman represented private equity funds, portfolio companies and public and private strategic companies in leveraged buyouts, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and equity investments.

Michael Dorich has joined Arbor as Director of Branding. Dorich brings over 20 years’ experience as an award-winning Creative and Art Director with deep food and beverage expertise working with clients such as Kellogg’s Food Service, Bob Evans, National Pork Board, Campbell’s Food Service, Terlato Wines and Southern Comfort. Dorich most recently was a Creative Director at Schafer Condon Carter.

INVESTMENT TEAM ADDITIONS

Scott Farmer has joined Arbor’s Investment Team as a Vice President. A CFA Charterholder with over a decade of financial experience, Farmer most recently was a Vice President in Bank of America Securities' Investment Banking Group.

Claire Groves has joined Arbor’s Investment Team as an Associate. Previously Groves was an Associate in Bank of America Securities' Investment Banking Group.

Both Farmer and Groves have prior experience in the consumer and retail sector, with a focus on Food and Beverage companies, including advising mid and large cap clients on a full range of M&A, debt and equity financing transactions. Farmer and Groves will join Arbor Investment Partner, Chris Tuffin, in Arbor’s recently expanded New York office.

Commenting on the new additions, Arbor President Carl Allegretti said, "At Arbor, we've always differentiated ourselves with our multidimensional team of in-house functional experts, seasoned operating partners and sector focused investment professionals. It remains a priority to continuously add to these disciplines and we're thrilled to welcome our newest hires."