LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Gores Group (“Gores”), a leading private equity firm focused on acquiring controlling interests in mature and growing businesses, today announced that Lewis L. (Lee) Bird III has joined the firm as a Managing Director.
Bird, who will based in Los Angeles, will be Gores’ operations group practice leader for the consumer and retail industry. He will work closely with Jeff Schwartz, Managing Director of the M&A group, to lead the firm’s consumer and retail efforts, and will be responsible for portfolio company oversight and leading operational due diligence efforts.
“Lee Bird’s experience in the consumer and retail sectors will provide The Gores Group with an expanded level of expertise. We see many potential opportunities in that sector and think his being on the team will be a significant asset as we look for, acquire and operate more consumer and retail companies,” said Mark Stone, senior managing director of The Gores Group. “We are very pleased to have him join our team.”
Prior to joining Gores, Bird was group president at Nike, leading Nike’s portfolio of Affiliate brands (which included Bauer Hockey, Cole Haan, Converse, Hurley, Starter, and Umbro), Nike’s M&A efforts, and operating as a member of Nike’s executive committee. Previously he was a senior officer at Gap Inc., where he served in multiple executive roles including Chief Operating Officer of Gap’s flagship brand, and Chief Financial Officer of Old Navy. He also served as Vice President of Finance and Operations for Gateway’s Consumer Division and in numerous leadership roles in finance, operations and strategy with Honeywell, and Ford Motor Company.
Bird earned a B.S. in Finance from Ithaca College, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from the M.B.A. program at the Olin Graduate School of Management at Babson College.
About The Gores Group, LLC
The Gores Group, LLC is a private equity firm focused on acquiring controlling interests in mature and growing businesses which can benefit from the firm's operating experience and flexible capital base. The firm combines the operational expertise and detailed due diligence capabilities of a strategic buyer with the seasoned M&A team of a traditional financial buyer. The Gores Group, which was founded in 1987 by Alec E. Gores, has become a leading investor having demonstrated over time a reliable track record of creating substantial value in its portfolio companies alongside management. The firm's current private equity fund has committed equity capital of more than $4 billion. Headquartered in Los Angeles, The Gores Group maintains offices in Boulder, CO, and London. For more information, please visit www.gores.com.