Jun 22, 2022   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Sargent and Greenleaf Appoints Mr. Christopher Casazza as Chief Executive Officer and Ms. Raji Shrie as Chief Financial Officer; Promotes Ms. Jennifer Cutting to Chief Operating Officer

OpenGate Capital, a global private equity firm, announced that its portfolio company, Sargent and Greenleaf (“S&G”), has appointed Mr. Christopher Casazza as CEO and Ms. Raji Shrie as CFO while also promoting Ms. Jennifer Cutting from CFO to COO. All three tenured executives bring deep industry expertise and a proven track record in growing and optimizing businesses.

As the new CEO of S&G, Casazza brings more than 20 years of experience driving transformation and innovation in industrial, hardware and security-related businesses, with a focus on quality, customer service, and team productivity. Casazza has previously served in senior leadership roles at Banner Solutions, Stanley Black & Decker, and Ingersoll Rand, leading several priority divisions at those companies, including security technologies and climate control solutions.

“I’m thrilled to join S&G at a time of great opportunity for the company and to lead such a seasoned and dedicated team into our next phase of growth,” said Casazza. “I congratulate Raji and Jennifer on their new roles and look forward to an exciting new chapter ahead, building on S&G’s rich history and deep reserve of institutional expertise while continuing to deliver products that our customers worldwide count on.”

Shrie brings to her role as CFO extensive leadership experience in finance, treasury, risk, legal and compliance, and strategy. With more than two decades of experience, she has served in management positions at industrial, technology, and business services companies globally.

Cutting has been promoted from S&G’s CFO to a newly created position as COO. She joined S&G in March of 2021 with more than 20 years of experience in the decorative hardware industry, and she will continue to oversee the operations of the S&G platform through her demonstrated leadership and vision.

“Over the last year I’ve seen firsthand the incredible pace of innovation at S&G, driven by the strength of our world-class team and network of partners across the globe,” said Cutting. “I’m honored to enter this new role and I look forward to all of the opportunities ahead.”

Casazza, Shrie, and Cutting are based in Sugar Hill, GA, which is home to the newly constructed corporate headquarters of the S&G family of brands portfolio company.

“Christopher, Raji and Jennifer are incredible assets for the company, and they make an excellent team,” said Mike Greaney, Chairman of S&G’s Board of Directors. “I want to thank Jennifer for recently helping to stabilize and lead the organization during this period of transition and congratulate her on becoming the firm’s first COO. I wish all three much success in their new roles.”

S&G was acquired by OpenGate Capital in 2019 and has grown through organic initiatives and add-on acquisitions. The appointment of the C-level management team parallels the significant investments made by OpenGate to modernize and scale the infrastructure and operations of S&G.

About Sargent and Greenleaf

Sargent and Greenleaf (S&G) is a leading manufacturer of high security locks and locking systems that protect people and assets around the world. Over the last 165 years, our high-security locks and industry expertise have earned trust from governments, banks, pharmacies, businesses, and safe owners of all kinds to meet their security needs and counter emerging threats. The S&G portfolio of high-quality electronic and mechanical locks are used in a wide range of applications including gun safes, commercial safes, ATMs, vaults, and highly sensitive SCIF environments. The S&G family of brands offers a unique, comprehensive portfolio of lock and door solutions to serve a wide range of security needs across industries and applications. Through our trusted brands; Delaney Hardware, Sargent & Greenleaf, and Premier Steel Doors & Frames, we offer businesses and homeowners high-quality door hardware and fixtures, commercial grade doors and hardware, and multi-family and residential security solutions. Together, our mission is to make the world more secure today and in the future. To learn more about Sargent and Greenleaf, please visit www.SargentAndGreenleaf.com

About OpenGate Capital

OpenGate Capital is a global private equity firm specializing in the acquisition and operation of businesses to create new value through operational improvements, innovation, and growth. Established in 2005, OpenGate Capital is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with a European office in Paris, France. OpenGate’s professionals possess the critical skills needed to acquire, transition, operate, build, and scale successful businesses. To date, OpenGate Capital has executed 40 platform acquisitions across North America and Europe. To learn more about OpenGate, please visit www.opengatecapital.com.