Primary Job Title Board of Director Primary Organization 
PVH
Location Hartford, Connecticut, United States Regions East Coast, New England, Northeastern US Gender Male
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Mr. Craig W. Rydin serves as an Operating Partner at LNK Partners. Mr. Rydin is working with and providing perspective to existing LNK portfolio companies, as well as helping to evaluate and pursue new investment opportunities for the LNK Partners. He served as the Chief Executive Officer at Yankee Holding Corp. from April 2001 to October 2009 and
President since April 2001. Mr. Rydin has extensive experience with premium branded consumer product companies, knowledge and experience in the candle and home fragrance industry, consumer package goods and retail, and has general business and financial acumen.
Prior to joining LNK, Mr. Rydin served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. of Yankee Holding Corp. from April 2001 to October 2009. He was with Yankee Candle for 12 years 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.
Prior to joining Yankee Holding in April 2001, he served as the Global President of Away From Home food services division at Campbell Soup Company since 1998 and as the President at Godiva Chocolatiers division of Campbell from 1996 to 1998. Mr. Rydin was a 23-year veteran of Campbell Soup Company, where he held positions of increasing responsibility. He delivered sales growth of 19% CAGR and EBIT growth of 31% CAGR. At Campbell's, Mr. Rydin began in marketing and grew to Vice President and General Manager of its Pepperidge Farm frozen foods, bakery, and biscuit brands. He was an Officer of Campbell's for his last six years with the organization. Prior to that, Mr. Rydin held a number of senior management positions at Pepperidge Farm, Inc.
Prior to Campbell's, he was in sales and marketing management at Liggett Group. He holds 40 years of operating experience. He serves as the Chairman of the Board of YCC Holdings LLC. He has been an Executive Chairman at Yankee Holding Corp. since October 2009 and served as its Chairman of the Board since February 2003. He served as the Executive Chairman of The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. since February 2003. He has been a Director of Yankee Holding Corp. since April 2001; priceline.com Incorporated since January 26, 2005; and PVH Corp. since September 21, 2006. He serves as a Director of Au Bon Pain, American Heart Association, Fitness Connection, and University of New Hampshire. Mr. Rydin serves as a Member of Executive Panel of Consumer Growth Partners, LLC. He served as a Director of The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. since April 2001 and Superba, Inc. Mr. Rydin received a Bachelor of Arts from University of New Hampshire and earned an MBA from Sacred Heart University.
