leadership team

As CEO at ACG Brands, Chris leads the strategic vision and entrepreneurial spirit that extends throughout the company. Prior to joining ACG, Chris served as Chief Commercialization & Strategy Officer for Plano Synergy. Chris came to Plano Synergy by way of Synergy Outdoors, which he co-founded in 2002. Before entering the outdoor industry, Chris spent five years working in strategy and corporate development at Transamerica Corporation and JC Penney. Chris received a BBA in International Business and Finance from Loyola University New Orleans.

As Chief Financial Officer, Mark A. Tripp leads the formulation and execution of the corporate financial strategy, financial reporting, accounting and treasury management. With 25+ years at the financial helm of several middle-market, private equity owned, consumer products companies, Mark is an accomplished strategist and hands-on leader who brings deep business acumen to the role of CFO.

Prior to joining ACG, Mark led financial strategies at Easton-Bell Sports for 15 years, as Chief Financial Officer overseeing strategic growth and acquisitions. Mark later joined Plano Synergy, as CFO, leading the makeover of the business prior to its sale. Most recently, he held the position of CFO at Mechanix Wear glove company, driving financial discipline into their business while organizing their finance and accounting teams to help guide the business forward. Mark holds a masters’ degree in accounting from Clarkson University.

As Chief Operations Officer, Phil is responsible for developing and executing our strategies to deliver our products across the globe to customers and consumers. As our brands and products expand, he leads his team of supply chain and distribution experts to assure we can meet or exceed our customers’ expectations. Phil brings more than 20 years of experience with Overhead Door, Haggar and most recently, AmesburyTruth, an innovative hardware supplier to the window and door industry. His positions have spanned inventory management, logistics, distribution and supply chain. In addition to formal training in six sigma, Phil received his M.B.A. from Texas Christian University, with a focus on evolving corporate strategies to accelerate growth.

As Chief Commercialization Officer, Allen is responsible for the commercialization strategy across all brands and products. Allen ensures our brands deliver authentic products that enhance adventures and everyday life. Allen has more than 20 years working with iconic brands at General Mills, Proctor and Gamble and Pure Fishing. His brand building-passion assures our customers and consumers will benefit from technological advancements, advancing product development through active curiosity and a focus on how to exceed marketplace expectations. Allen holds an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA and a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.

As Chief Strategy Officer, Derek is responsible for establishing and driving the strategic growth initiatives across our business. His financial acumen and broad leadership experiences uniquely qualifies him to identify the opportunities which help ACG achieve its vision and marketplace goals.

Derek spent his early career as an associate partner with Bain and Company where he led mergers, acquisitions, and private equity ventures for clients in the consumer goods and retail industries. He also led commercial excellence and strategy engagements which delivered growth and value creation plans for many consumer goods clients. Additionally, as vice president corporate development and strategy at VISTA Outdoor he helped develop a new business model and strategy resulting in a two-company structure, achieving revenue and growth targets while improving profitability. Derek then served as the President and Chief Integration Officer for Simms Fishing following their acquisition by VISTA, developing a rapid value creation plan while supporting an accelerated integration of the company’s functions into VISTA Outdoor. Derek earned his Bachelor of Business Administration at University of Texas (Austin) and his MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.