Safanad Appoints Gerardo “Gerry” Lopez as a New Operating Partner, Further Enhancing the Firm’s Investment and Operational Capabilities

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Safanad, a principal-led investment company that builds world-class businesses, is pleased to announce that Gerry Lopez has joined the firm as Operating Partner. With four decades of experience driving value creation and building businesses, in his new role, Lopez enhances and will directly support Safanad’s investment and operating capabilities and expertise across its platforms including real estate, digital infrastructure, and education. He will be based in Safanad’s New York City office.

Lopez is a global business executive and transformative CEO and Board Member renowned for building businesses at the highest level across diverse sectors and industries including entertainment, hospitality, multi-unit retail, food and beverage, consumer packaged goods, and supply chain. In addition to his role at Safanad, Lopez currently serves on the Board of Directors of CBRE Group, Newell Brands, MGP Ingredients, and Realty Income Corporation.

Lopez previously served as Head of the Operating Group at SoftBank Investment Advisors, as head of a 34-member team and as Executive-in-Residence. At SoftBank, his group oversaw over 220 portfolio companies, spearheading their growth, expansion and collaboration across portfolio companies for mutual benefit. He was also the President and CEO of AMC Entertainment Holdings, which includes AMC Theatres, the world’s largest movie theater chain. He also served as President and CEO of Extended Stay America, the leading mid-priced extended stay hotel brand in the U.S., with more than 700 hotels. Lopez was previously an EVP at Starbucks, serving as President of the Global Consumer Products Group, where he led the Seattle’s Best Coffee brand and Starbucks Foodservice division. He also held executive roles with Procter & Gamble and Frito Lay (PepsiCo), among other iconic brands. Lopez earned his MBA from Harvard Business School.

Lopez will focus on growing Safanad’s platforms across real estate, digital infrastructure and education. Safanad has built and operated leading platforms in NYC multi-family real estate, U.S. digital infrastructure at Austin-based Element Critical, and international education through Global School Management, one of the largest K-12 education providers in the U.S.

“I am extremely delighted to welcome Gerry, a deeply knowledgeable and experienced operator, to the Safanad team,” commented Christopher Fazekas, Safanad Senior Partner and Head of Strategic Initiatives and Business Development. “Gerry will add value and support the rapid growth of Safanad’s platforms and operating capabilities.”

About Safanad

Safanad is a principal-led investment company that builds world-class businesses. We deliver enduring value by investing with conviction, operating with an athlete’s discipline, and aligning with our management teams and investors to grow great businesses for the long-term. Safanad owns investment and operating platforms in Digital Infrastructure, Education, Healthcare, and Real Estate and we are co-headquartered in New York and Riyadh.

For more information, please visit www.safanad.com.

Safanad
Adam Steinberg
asteinberg@safanad.com