Team

Craig Rydin

Operating Partner

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Craig has over 40 years of operating experience in the consumer and retail sector.

Prior to LNK, for 12 years Craig was Chairman and CEO of Yankee Candle Company, a leading candle and home fragrance business, where he increased market capitalization by over $1 billion, more than doubled wholesale points of distribution to over 20,000 doors, and opened over 300 new retail stores. Yankee Candle has a nationwide base of over 500 company-owned retail stores, a vibrant and growing catalog and online business, an expanding North American wholesale customer network, and international distribution.

Before Yankee Candle, Craig was a 23-year veteran of Campbell Soup Company, where he held positions of increasing responsibility, including President of Godiva Chocolatier Worldwide, where he delivered sales growth of 19% CAGR and EBIT growth of 31% CAGR.

Craig is currently the Chairman of the University System of New Hampshire Endowment and has served on the Board of Directors of PVH (NYSE: PVH), Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG), Yankee Candle, Fitness Connection, and Au Bon Pain. Craig received a BA from the University of New Hampshire and an MBA from Sacred Heart University.