Jason Caldwell Brings Deep Aviation Distribution and Leadership Experience
Thad Fortin Also Joins Board of Directors
FORT WORTH, Texas, April 23, 2018 -- Graco Supply Company ("Graco"), a portfolio company of CM Equity Partners (“CMEP”), announced that it has recently appointed Jason Caldwell as President and CEO and a member of Graco’s Board of Directors. In addition, Graco has announced the appointment of Thad Fortin as a consultant and member of the Board of Directors.
“We are excited to have Jason, a distinguished aviation distribution executive with over 20 years of experience, as the leader of Graco,” stated Mark Carmen, Chairman of Graco and a Senior Advisor to CMEP. He continued, “Jason’s experience is directly related to the areas of growth we are pursuing for Graco and is focused on broadening our key supplier partnerships and customer relationships.”
Mr. Caldwell spent 20 years at Wencor Group functioning in various roles and responsibilities in sales and marketing, finally as Vice President of Sales, responsible for activities in North and Latin America. In 2004, he became the President of Dixie Aerospace, a market leader in bearings distribution and PMA development. In 2010, he was appointed Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing for Wencor Group, where he built a cohesive sales and marketing team and was able to exceed revenue and gross margin plans. He also led the mergers and acquisitions team through 12 acquisitions, five stand-alone companies, and seven product line-related. Mr. Caldwell was part of the executive team that managed the sale of Wencor Group from Odyssey Investment Partners to Warburg Pincus in 2014. He was appointed President of Distribution in 2016, with responsibility for all aspects of Wencor Group’s parts distribution business.
Thad Fortin Joins Board
Graco also announced that it has appointed Thad Fortin as a Consultant and a member of Graco’s Board of Directors. Mr. Fortin is the former owner and CEO of Haas Group International, which he built into one of the leading businesses in aviation chemical management services. Jason Caldwell, CEO of Graco, stated, “I’m thrilled to join a great team at Graco. Adding Thad as a partner and board member enhances my confidence that we will be successful. Thad’s experience in aviation chemicals will be invaluable as we focus on growing the business.” About Graco Supply Company Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Graco is a leading value-added distributor of chemicals, specialty materials, consumables and related services to the aerospace and defense industries. Graco's extensive product line card consists of paints and other coatings, sealants, adhesives, surface treatments, composite materials and other shop consumables used in the manufacture and maintenance, repair, and overhaul of commercial, business and military aircraft. Graco also provides value-added services including custom repackaging, temperature-sensitive material handling, tinting and supply chain management capabilities. For additional information on Graco Supply, please visit www.gracosupply.com.