ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -- Barjan LLC, a distributor of consumer products to travel centers, truck stops and convenience stores, announced that Charles A. Sciandra has been named chief executive officer and will join the board of directors effective immediately. Sciandra will replace the company 's current CEO Mark Essig, who will remain a member of Barjan 's board of directors.
With 30 years of distribution industry experience, Sciandra has led a number of market-leading organizations throughout his career. Most recently, Sciandra was president and CEO of Pitco Foods, a wholesale food distributor [image-nocss] to retail and food service operators. His other industry experience includes time spent as the president of Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, as well as various senior management positions with Smart & Final/American Foodservice, Unifax/US Foodservice and Maines Paper and Foodservice.
He also founded CAS Strategic Consulting, a consulting group for venture capital acquisition integration and national chain logistics and supply chain support.
In his new role at Barjan, Sciandra will continue to drive the growth of Barjan 's distribution network, which supplies more than 8,000 individual products to major national and regional travel centers across North America. Building on the momentum of the recently signed long-term agreement with Travel Centers of America to supply goods and services to both TA and Petro travel centers, he will focus his efforts on continuing the expansion of the business.
“Barjan 's superior service and quality products have distinguished it as the premier distributor of consumer products to the travel-center industry,” said Sciandra. “I look forward to working closely with Barjan 's management team, extensive network of suppliers and strong customer base as we continue to enhance the company 's growth capabilities and value-add distribution services.”
Barjan was acquired in January 2006 by Monomoy Capital Partners, L.P., a New York-based private-equity fund that makes controlling investments in middle market companies.
“With our operational and financial support, Monomoy partners with the management teams of our portfolio companies to encourage meaningful growth and create stronger businesses,” said Daniel Collin, a Monomoy principal. “We 're grateful to Mark for his superb leadership and the value he created in the Barjan brand, and for his continued service as a board member. As we enter this new phase, we are confident that Charlie 's skills, derived from his extensive distribution background, will be a perfect complement to our continued efforts to grow and enhance Barjan.”
With facilities in Rock Island and East Moline, Ill., Reno, Nev., and Atlanta, Barjan LLC is the largest distributor of non-food general merchandise to truck stops and travel centers across America. Monomoy Capital Partners L.P. is a $280 million private-equity fund that makes controlling investments in middle market companies.
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