Caleb White

Caleb is a senior strategic and operational executive that has played high impact leadership roles at both privately-held and large public companies in multiple industries and with companies at several different stages of development – from multi-billion dollar BP, to a 500 person aerospace and defense company to a start-up wood pellet operation. The key strengths that have driven his success are his ability to create strategic value as both Board Director and senior executive by identifying investment/acquisition opportunities that critically repositioned Ensign-Bickford for its future; his strong P&L leadership driving performance and accountability through focused KPIs; and his dedication to building a culture of operational excellence across all businesses/functions. Of further value is the perspective he has gained with EBI and BP expanding global businesses in Australia, Europe, China, Brazil, Russia, Mexico and Argentina, and his 15 year Board Director experience in  private companies serving on the Governance (Chair), Audit, Compensation, Investment (Chair), Pension/Retirement & Severance Plans (Chair), and Share Pricing Committees.

Caleb is currently a Board Director at Ensign-Bickford Industries, Inc. (EBI), a privately held portfolio of diversified manufacturing companies providing technology-driven products/services for companies in pet foods, aerospace/defense, life science diagnostics, specialty chemical processing and commercial real estate. He and the Board orchestrated a 2003 divestment that created enormous value (4X jump in share price in 3 years), enabling a meaningful liquidity event for family owners and providing excess capital to build out and diversify the remaining portfolio.  As part of a two part exit strategy, the Company formed an operating JV, and successfully sold the Company at an exit multiple of 1.4X Rev/14X EBITDA after rapid achievement of synergies and heightened cash delivery.  
 

Caleb then served as EBI’s President & CEO where he identified and drove the acquisition of four Aerospace & Defense and pet food palatant “bolt-ons”, spearheaded international expansion, invested $75 million in three new platforms (renewable energy, specialty chemicals and life science diagnostics testing), and created/ implemented the EBI Operating System.  Previously, as COO and CAO, he worked with the CEO and Board to develop the Company's initial strategy focused on acquisitions and portfolio diversity.
 

Prior to joining EBI, Caleb had a 12 year career at BP AMOCO, PLC. in Chicago, IL. and London, England, where at his last position as European Retail Operations – Operational Excellence Program Director he led the rollout of retail site operational excellence program to over 1500 sites in England, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Holland, and Austria.  Previous BP roles included management assignments in operations, strategic planning and business development. He started his career with Bank of America in commercial lending.
 

In addition to his Ensign-Bickford Board work, Caleb is a Director of Axiam Inc. and Brokers International and has regularly participated on  numerous not for profit Boards throughout his career.

Caleb received his Masters in Management (M.B.A.) from Northwestern University/Kellogg Graduate School of Management, and his B.A. in East Asian Studies from Yale University.