by Bob Gershberg, CEO/Managing Partner, Wray Executive Search
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones during these uncertain times, and like so many, we are shattered by the magnitude of this crisis as we learn more each day about the impacts COVID-19 is having on our communities.
We understand many may be feeling isolated as public health officials encourage us to distance ourselves from others and community events are canceled. The spread of this virus across our nation has caused the general shut down of public life. Schools are closed, sports and entertainment venues are shuttered. Restaurants are restricted to delivery or takeout. Bars and clubs are closed. The economic impact of these closures will be devastating to the industries’ stakeholders.
"Life in the country is going to be different for the next few months — how different and how long is hard to say."
~ Jeremy Konyndyk, senior policy fellow at the Center for Global Development
ExecutiveChat
Featuring Mike Schall, Managing Director of FocalPoint Partners
by Rebecca Patt, Senior Vice President of Development, Wray Executive Search
Mike Schall is a CPG food industry veteran leader who joined the F&B investment banking sector in 2020 with FocalPoint Partners. FocalPoint is an independent investment bank specializing in mergers and acquisitions, private placements, financial restructurings, and special situation transactions, with offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Shanghai. Previously, he spent ten years with Whole Foods Market as a product development advisor and then team member, where he led the innovative plant-based Engine 2 Plant-Strong brand and then became Senior Principal of Global Growth and Business Development. Mike grew up in the restaurant business and has been a C-level leader and board member across multiple segments of the CPG food business for over than 30 years. I spoke with Mike on March 13, 2020.
Mike, this interview finds us in a global crisis. I would like to address current events and how they are impacting you, your community, and your business.
The last several weeks, and most importantly the last week, has been very tumultuous and very turbulent for life in general, and the speed at which information or misinformation is guiding consumer decisions, specifically how and where we go, what we eat and what we touch is really impacting our world like never before.
