01.15.19
Yellow Wood Partners, the Boston-based private equity firm, has announced today changes to the senior leadership team, effective March 1, at Paris Presents, Inc., a growing provider of branded cosmetic and bath accessories.
As part of a planned succession, Patrick O’Brien, CEO of Paris Presents, will become vice-chairman and will play a key role on the board with a focus on growth initiatives. Bill George, currently CEO of Yellow Wood portfolio company Freeman Beauty, will become CEO of Paris Presents, with responsibility for the combined operation of Paris Presents Inc. and the recently integrated Freeman Beauty business.
Yellow Wood acquired Paris Presents in 2018 and merged it with Freeman Beauty.
“We are fortunate to have been able to work closely with Patrick to consummate our investment in Paris Presents and the integration of Paris Presents and Freeman Beauty. Patrick is a leader in our industry and we appreciate the work he has done over the past six years to build Paris Presents into an industry leader where his insights and contacts will help us grow the Company with additional brand acquisitions,” said Dana Schmaltz, founding partner of Yellow Wood Partners and chairman of Paris Presents. “ Likewise, Bill George has a proven track record of creating value and we are excited to see him assume the role of CEO to help propel Paris Presents to new levels. Having worked closely with Bill, we are confident he has the leadership style and industry knowledge to help as we build Paris Presents through organic growth and additional brands acquisitions to strengthen the platform.”
During his six-year tenure as CEO of Paris PresentsO’Brien helped triple sales, globally expanded the brand, and was named the 2016 EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Consumer and Retail Products in the Midwest Region.
George brings a wealth of experience to his role with 25-plus years of beauty experience. In his current role as CEO of Freeman Beauty, he has jump started both the new product development and customer growth plans as well as worked with Yellow Wood to improve the company’s global supply chain. Prior to Freeman, George had a highly successful 25 year run at Markwins Beauty, where he drove significant growth through both organic and acquisition activity.
As part of a planned succession, Patrick O’Brien, CEO of Paris Presents, will become vice-chairman and will play a key role on the board with a focus on growth initiatives. Bill George, currently CEO of Yellow Wood portfolio company Freeman Beauty, will become CEO of Paris Presents, with responsibility for the combined operation of Paris Presents Inc. and the recently integrated Freeman Beauty business.
Yellow Wood acquired Paris Presents in 2018 and merged it with Freeman Beauty.
“We are fortunate to have been able to work closely with Patrick to consummate our investment in Paris Presents and the integration of Paris Presents and Freeman Beauty. Patrick is a leader in our industry and we appreciate the work he has done over the past six years to build Paris Presents into an industry leader where his insights and contacts will help us grow the Company with additional brand acquisitions,” said Dana Schmaltz, founding partner of Yellow Wood Partners and chairman of Paris Presents. “ Likewise, Bill George has a proven track record of creating value and we are excited to see him assume the role of CEO to help propel Paris Presents to new levels. Having worked closely with Bill, we are confident he has the leadership style and industry knowledge to help as we build Paris Presents through organic growth and additional brands acquisitions to strengthen the platform.”
During his six-year tenure as CEO of Paris PresentsO’Brien helped triple sales, globally expanded the brand, and was named the 2016 EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Consumer and Retail Products in the Midwest Region.
George brings a wealth of experience to his role with 25-plus years of beauty experience. In his current role as CEO of Freeman Beauty, he has jump started both the new product development and customer growth plans as well as worked with Yellow Wood to improve the company’s global supply chain. Prior to Freeman, George had a highly successful 25 year run at Markwins Beauty, where he drove significant growth through both organic and acquisition activity.
