CORPORATE
Board of Directors
Scott Griffiths - Chairman
Mr. Griffiths has been creating, building, and re-engineering successful brands in the beverage, sports, leisure, technology, hospitality and entertainment industries for 20 years. He has managed and directed marketing and branding assignments for many Fortune 500 companies, as well as entrepreneurial and investment-backed companies. He has led or participated in more than 10 start-ups. He created and developed the Rhino Chasers microbrewed beer named after the 'big wave riders.' The company expanded nationally and a Rhino Chasers brewpub was opened at Los Angeles Airport. The Rhino Chasers brand was sold to Gallo in 1997. In 2001, Mr. Griffiths, created a new concept, 18/8, an upscale chain of men's hair and grooming centers positioned as "The Re-invention of the Barbershop." The brand continues to expand nationally.
After attending Chapman University, Mr. Griffiths graduated with honors as a scholarship student from Art Center College of Design, where he later served as President of the Alumni Board and on the Board of Trustees. He received his MBA from the UCLA Anderson School. Mr. Griffiths is a member of the Harvard Business School Association of Orange County, where he helps direct the marketing of the annual Entrepreneurs Conference. He has served as marketing advisor to the UCLA Anderson Economic Forecast. He is a member of the Pasadena Angels.
Chris Alpers
Mr. Alpers has been involved in international finance and commercial real estate for over 20 years. He spent 10 years as Senior Vice President of Bertelsmann, Inc. in New York City with responsibility for corporate development. In 1995 he founded the Trans-Atlantic Group, Inc., an investment and advisory firm. He has advised foreign clients on U.S real estate transactions and managed investment portfolios that include real estate holdings, international investments, and early-stage companies. Mr. Alpers graduated from the University of Hamburg in Germany with a graduate degree in Finance and also received his MBA from Stanford University in 1985. He is a member of both Tech Coast Angels and Keiretsu Forum organizations.
Russell L. Hanlin
Mr. Hanlin has served as a Director since May 2004. He brings to the Company decades of experience in the global beverage industry. Prior to joining Progressive Brands, Mr. Hanlin was elected President Emeritus of Sunkist Growers, Inc. in November 1998. Sunkist is an agricultural marketing cooperative representing more than 6,000 citrus growers in California and Arizona. Mr. Hanlin served as President and CEO of Sunkist for more than 20 years, growing the company to annual revenues of over $2 billion with business operations in over 60 countries. Mr. Hanlin was appointed to four United States Presidential commissions on matters related to export, trade negotiation and executive exchange. Currently, Mr. Hanlin serves as Vice Chairman of S.E. Corporation, a company developing a 600-acre multi-use project in Corona, California. Mr. Hanlin also serves on the Board of Directors of the Old Pasadena Management District, Rose Bowl Advisory Committee, Board of Trustees for Woodbury University and the Executive Committee of the Japan America Society.
Robert Brasch
Mr. Brasch, a Director of Progressive Brands since May 2004, has over 30 years of domestic and international business and banking experience. He began his career in commercial banking with Union Bank of California as an Asian-area administrator and progressed to senior vice president. In 1983, he became founding President and CEO of the World Trade Bank. In 1987, Mr. Brasch founded Pacific Partners, Inc. where he continues today as CEO and President. Pacific Partners identifies, develops, and implements strategic alliances between Japanese and American companies. He was instrumental in organizing am/pm Japan, a Japanese convenience store chain with annual sales exceeding $2 billion and over 1,300 locations. After serving on am/pm Japan's Board of Directors for 14 years, he was made Director Emeritus when the company was sold. He serves on the Advisory Board of The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Los Angeles, which is a Japanese government-related organization that promotes trade and investments.