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Conyers Park III Acquisition Corp. ("Conyers Park III") was a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Conyers Park III was primarily focused on effecting a business combination in the consumer sector and consumer-related businesses in which its principals have historically created significant stockholder value.

Conyers Park III redeemed all of its outstanding shares that were included in its initial public offering on August 11, 2023.

A uniquely-positioned consumer investment platform...

We believe that the experience and capabilities of our management team will make us an attractive partner to potential target businesses, enhance our ability to complete a successful business combination, and bring value to the business post-business combination. Not only does our management team bring a combination of operating, investing, financial and transactional experience, but also has worked closely together in the past at multiple consumer companies, creating value for shareholders.

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...with an experienced point of view

World-class management team with significant SPAC experience, a pedigree in the consumer space and a history of successful transactions with ongoing involvement in the strategy, operations and governance of the de-SPACs.

Our team

Our team

Conyers Park III principals have collectively created approximately $50 billion in shareholder value throughout their combined 100+ year careers in the consumer industry.

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James M. Kilts

Special Advisor to the Board

James M. Kilts, Special Advisor to the Board, is a renowned leader in the consumer industry, with over 40 years of experience leading a range of companies and iconic brands. Mr. Kilts served as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of The Gillette Company, or Gillette, from 2001 until it merged with The Procter & Gamble Company in 2005; at that time he became Vice Chairman of the Board of The Procter & Gamble Company. Before Mr. Kilts joined Gillette, the company’s sales had been flat for four years, and it had missed earnings estimates for 14 consecutive quarters. Mr. Kilts took steps to rebuild the management team, cut costs and reinvest the savings in innovation and marketing. During his tenure as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kilts oversaw the creation of approximately $30 billion in equity value for Gillette’s public shareholders, with Gillette’s share price appreciating 110% while the S&P 500 declined 3% over the same time period. Under Mr. Kilts’ leadership, Gillette rejoined the top ranks of consumer products companies as sales increased an average of 9% each year. The Harvard Business Review cited Mr. Kilts’ leadership as the driving force behind Gillette’s turnaround. Prior to Gillette, Mr. Kilts served as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Nabisco Company, or Nabisco, from 1998 until its acquisition by The Philip Morris Companies in 2000. Before joining Nabisco, Mr. Kilts was an Executive Vice President of The Philip Morris Companies from 1994 to 1997 and headed the Worldwide Food group. In that role, Mr. Kilts was responsible for integrating Kraft and General Foods and for shaping the group’s domestic and international strategy. Mr. Kilts had previously served as President of Kraft USA and Oscar Mayer. More recently, Mr. Kilts served as Chairman of the Board of Nielsen Holdings PLC from 2011 to 2014 while it was under private ownership. During this time Mr. Kilts worked closely with management to defend key existing customers and win new business. During their investment period, the investor group’s equity value creation was nearly $7 billion.

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Dave J. West

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

David J. West, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, is an established leader in the consumer industry, with over 30 years of experience leading a range of companies and well-known brands. Mr. West served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Big Heart Pet Brands (formerly Del Monte Foods) from 2011 to 2015. Mr. West worked closely with Mr. Kilts during this time period, as Mr. Kilts was Chairman of the Board of Big Heart Pet Brands. Mr. West repositioned the business to focus on growth and innovation, enhance distribution and develop a marketing culture to focus on brands and products. The J. M. Smucker Company purchased Big Heart Pet Brands in March 2015. During his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Big Heart Pet Brands, Mr. West oversaw the creation of approximately $2 billion of equity value for investors. Prior to joining Big Heart Pet Brands, Mr. West served as the Chief Executive Officer, President and a director of The Hershey Company, or Hershey, from 2007 to 2011. Under Mr. West’s leadership, Hershey experienced net sales and profit growth and strong shareholder returns, and was recognized as one of the World’s 100 Most Innovative Companies by Forbes Magazine in 2011. The success created by Mr. West’s leadership at Hershey led to more than $5 billion of equity value creation for shareholders during his tenure. Hershey’s share price appreciated 68% during this time period, while the S&P 500 was flat. Prior to joining Hershey in 2001, Mr. West spent 14 years with Nabisco, where he worked closely with Mr. Kilts during Mr. Kilts’ tenure as Chief Executive Officer.

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Brian K. Ratzan

Chief Financial Officer and Director

Brian K. Ratzan, our Chief Financial Officer and Director, has over 25 years of private equity investing experience and SPAC investing experience, investing in a variety of businesses and brands. Mr. Ratzan has served as a Partner at Centerview Capital Consumer since 2014. Previously, Mr. Ratzan was Partner and Head of U.S. Private Equity at Pamplona Capital Management from 2012 to 2014. Prior to joining Pamplona, he was Managing Director and Head of Consumer at Vestar Capital Partners, which he joined in 1998. Mr. Ratzan also previously worked in the Investment Banking Group at Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette. Over the course of his investing career, Mr. Ratzan has been intricately involved in numerous consumer-oriented companies, including The Simply Good Food Company, Advantage Solutions, Del Monte Foods, The Sun Products Corporation (formerly known as Huish Detergents, Inc.) and Birds Eye Foods, Inc. Mr. Ratzan holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School.

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Max Papkov

Vice President of Strategy and Director

Max Papkov, our Vice President of Strategy and a Director Nominee, has over 15 years of private equity investing, SPAC investing experience and investment banking experience. Mr. Papkov is a Partner at Centerview Capital Consumer, which he joined in 2011. Prior to joining Centerview Capital Consumer, Mr. Papkov was a member of the Centerview Partners investment banking team from 2009 to 2011. Earlier in his career, Mr. Papkov was also a member of the mergers and acquisitions group of Merrill Lynch. Over the course of his investing career, Mr. Papkov has been intricately involved in numerous consumer-oriented companies, including The Simply Good Foods Company, Advantage Solutions, Big Heart Pet Brands, Del Monte Foods, Richelieu Foods, Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine and The Nielsen Company. Mr. Papkov received a B.S. in Finance from Rutgers University.

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