DARRELL VAN LIGTEN

Throughout his 30-year career in general management, strategic planning and marketing, Darrell has led successful growth initiatives in the restaurant, retail and golf management industries.

Prior to founding Floresta Partners, Darrell was President, International of The Wendy’s Company where he led the turnaround of the $500 million Wendy’s system outside of North America. He successfully launched and expanded the Wendy’s brand throughout Latin America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Europe by creating highly-differentiated adaptations of the Wendy’s brand that addressed the cultural sensitivities and consumer needs of each market.

Darrell served as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Operation Services of American Golf Corp. during the turnaround of the largest golf management company. He successfully implemented key strategies such as repositioning private clubs, renovating clubhouses, remerchandising pro shops and developing highly targeted marketing that increased private club membership, member satisfaction, rounds played and event sales, generating a 40% IRR for private equity investors in fewer than three years.

As General Manager, Toybox Group at Toys R Us, Inc., Darrell created the TRU Toybox brand to expand Toys R Us market presence in non-traditional channels using a scalable “shop-in-shop” concept. He rapidly grew TRU Toybox to 2,300 outlets in the grocery and pharmacy channels.

Earlier in his career, Darrell held management positions in marketing and strategic planning at Tricon Global Restaurants (Yum! Brands), Arby’s, Smart & Final, Taco Bell and PepsiCo.

Darrell resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, Ronni, and award-winning dogs, Emmy and Oscar. He is actively involved with German Village Cycling and Full Focus Fitness.

A native of Northern California, Darrell graduated from the Management & Technology Program at the University of Pennsylvania with degrees from both the Wharton School and the Moore School of Electrical Engineering.