Led by a world-class leadership team of
proven CEOs and consumer leaders
Jim Kilts Founding Partner 50+ years of experience
Founded Centerview Capital 2006
Jim Kilts is a renowned leader in the consumer industry, with over 50 years of experience leading a range of companies and iconic brands. Prior to founding Centerview Capital in 2006, he served as Chairman, CEO and President of The Gillette Company, where he successfully reinvigorated the business and oversaw its sale to The Procter & Gamble Company, subsequently becoming Vice Chairman of the merged company’s board. Before Jim joined The Gillette Company, the company’s sales had been flat for four years, and it had missed earnings estimates for 14 consecutive quarters. Jim took steps to rebuild the management team, cut costs and reinvest the savings in innovation and marketing. During his tenure as CEO, the company rejoined the top ranks of consumer products companies with sales increasing an average of 9% each year. The Gillette Company’s share price appreciated 110% during this time period, while the S&P 500 declined 3%. The Harvard Business Review cited Jim’s leadership as the driving force behind Gillette’s turnaround. Prior to The Gillette Company, Jim served as President and CEO of The Nabisco Company leading up to its acquisition by The Philip Morris Companies. Before joining Nabisco, Jim was an Executive Vice President of The Philip Morris Companies and headed the Worldwide Food group, where he was responsible for integrating Kraft and General Foods and for shaping the group’s domestic and international strategy. Earlier executive leadership roles include President of Kraft USA and Oscar Mayer. Jim began his career with General Foods Corporation.
Owing to Jim’s successes across the consumer industry, numerous companies seek his business expertise and advice. Jim currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Simply Good Foods Company and Advantage Solutions. He also serves as a director of Ole Smoky, Viatris and Harvest Hill Beverage Company. He formerly served as a director of Nielsen Holdings PLC (as Chairman), MetLife, Pfizer, Unifi, Big Heart Pet Brands (as Chairman), MeadWestvaco, The New York Times Company, May Department Stores, Whirlpool Corporation, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (as Chairman) and Delta Airlines. He is also a former member of Citigroup’s International Advisory Board. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Knox College and an MBA degree from the University of Chicago.
Dave West Partner 35+ years of experience
At Centerview Capital Since 2016
Dave West is an established leader in the consumer industry, with over 35 years of experience leading a range of companies and well-known brands. Prior to joining Centerview Capital in 2016, he served as CEO and President of Big Heart Pet Brands (formerly Del Monte Foods), where he repositioned the business to focus on growth and innovation, enhanced distribution and developed a marketing culture to focus on brands and products. Following the sale of Big Heart Pet Brands to The J. M. Smucker Company, Dave became President of Big Heart Pet Food and Snacks. Prior to joining Big Heart Pet Brands, he served as CEO and President of The Hershey Company. Under Dave’s leadership, The Hershey Company was recognized as one of the World’s 100 Most Innovative Companies by Forbes Magazine and experienced strong growth and shareholder returns. The company’s share price appreciated 68% during this time period, while the S&P 500 was flat. Prior to joining The Hershey Company, he spent 14 years with The Nabisco Company, where he worked closely with Jim during Jim’s tenure as CEO.
He currently serves as a director of The Simply Good Foods Company, Advantage Solutions, Freshpet and Harvest Hill Beverage Company, and has formerly served as a director of The Hershey Company, Del Monte Foods, Big Heart Pet Brands and The J.M. Smucker Company. Dave holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bucknell University.
Joe Scalzo Partner 35+ years of experience
At Centerview Capital Since 2024
Joe Scalzo is an experienced executive in the consumer industry, with over 35 years of experience at leading a range of companies and well-known brands. Prior to joining Centerview Capital in 2024, he served as the CEO and President of The Simply Good Foods Company. Under Joe’s leadership, the company seized the mega trend consumer moment of healthy eating and capitalized on the global movement toward e-commerce, expanding product offerings and channel diversification to meet consumers’ evolving preferences. During this time, the company grew net sales organically and by acquisition from $369mm in fiscal year 2016, the last fiscal year prior to the company’s listing on Nasdaq, to nearly $1.2bn in fiscal year 2022, delivering a compound annual growth rate of approximately 21%. Joe also served as CEO and President of Atkins Nutritionals until its acquisition and formation of The Simply Good Foods Company in 2017. Prior to that, Joe served as a senior executive in various roles at Dean Foods, including as President and COO, as well as President and CEO of WhiteWave Foods. He is credited at Dean for leading the transformation of its WhiteWave Foods Company, which began as three separate businesses, into a winning consumer foods company. Prior to that, Joe held executive roles at The Gillette Company, where he worked closely with Jim during Jim’s tenure as CEO and spearheaded the successful three-year turnaround of the company’s one billion dollar global personal care business, and The Coca Cola Company. Joe began his career at Procter & Gamble.
He currently serves as a director of Treehouse Foods, Freshpet and Harvest Hill Beverage Company, and has formerly served as a director of The Simply Good Foods Company (as Executive Vice Chairman), HNI Corporation, Earthbound Farms and Focus Brands. Joe holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame.
Brian Ratzan Partner 25+ years of experience
At Centerview Capital Since 2014
Brian Ratzan has over 25 years of private equity investing experience, investing in a variety of businesses and brands. Prior to joining Centerview Capital in 2014, he was a Partner and Head of U.S. Private Equity at Pamplona Capital Management. Before joining Pamplona, he was a Managing Director and Head of Consumer at Vestar Capital Partners. Earlier in his career, he also worked at ‘21’ International Holdings, a private investment firm, and in the investment banking group at Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette.
He currently serves as a director of The Simply Good Foods Company, Advantage Solutions and Harvest Hill Beverage Company, and has formerly served as a director of Del Monte Foods, The Sun Products Corporation (formerly known as Huish Detergents) and Birds Eye Foods. Brian holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and an MBA degree from Harvard Business School.
Max Papkov Partner 15+ years of experience
At Centerview Capital Since 2011
Max Papkov has over 15 years of investing experience. Prior to joining Centerview Capital in 2011, he was a member of the Centerview Partners investment banking team. Earlier in his career, he was a member of the mergers and acquisitions group of Merrill Lynch. Over the course of his investing career, Max has been intricately involved in numerous consumer-oriented companies, including Harvest Hill Beverage Company, The Simply Good Foods Company, Advantage Solutions, Big Heart Pet Brands, Del Monte Foods, Richelieu Foods, Ole Smoky and The Nielsen Company.
He has formerly served as a director of Richelieu Foods and Ole Smoky. Max holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Rutgers University.