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Yellow Wood Partners announces senior leadership changes at Paris Presents

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BOSTON — Yellow Wood Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm focused on investing in consumer brands and companies, announced changes to the senior leadership team, effective March 1, at its portfolio company Paris Presents, Inc., a rapidly growing provider of branded cosmetic and bath accessories.

As part of a planned succession, Patrick O’Brien, chief executive officer 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 its portfolio company Freeman Beauty, a leading specialty beauty company with a portfolio of brands across the skin care, hair care, foot care and specialty bath and body categories.

Dana Schmaltz, founding partner of Yellow Wood Partners and chairman of Paris Presents, said, “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.  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.”

O’Brien, said “It’s been an enjoyable run at Paris Presents leading our winning, growth-oriented team. I am thrilled to have an opportunity to continue this partnership in my new role as vice-chairman working with the Yellow Wood Partners team.”  During his six-year tenure as CEO of Paris Presents,  O’Brien helped triple sales, globally expanded the brand, and established Real Techniques as a leader in the Cosmetic Accessories market. He 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 over 25 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, Bill had a highly successful 25 year run at Markwins Beauty, where he drove significant growth through both organic and acquisition activity.  George said, “I am honored to lead the Paris Presents team at this exciting time.  Working with Yellow Wood we have successfully integrated the two companies and we are well positioned to build our brands globally.  I look forward to working with our partners at Yellow Wood to build on the company’s success.”


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