New York, NY – January 11, 2016 — ICR, one of the largest and fastest growing strategic communications and advisory firms in North America, today announced the appointments of Rob Sharp, Co-CEO and owner, Ramy Brook and Joseph B. Kennedy, Managing Partner, Crystal Lake Capital, as the first members of ICR’s newly created advisory board.
“ICR’s advisory board will be a tremendous asset as we continue on our impressive growth trajectory and expand into new client services,” said Tom Ryan, CEO, ICR. “By leveraging the insights of leaders from a variety of sectors, including private equity and investment banking, we will further strengthen ICR’s offerings and deepen our network of relationships. We are thrilled to welcome Rob and Joe as founding members of our advisory board and look forward adding other distinguished individuals in the months and years ahead.”
As Co-CEO of Ramy Brook, Mr. Sharp leads one of the nation’s fastest growing contemporary fashion companies. He previously served as a private equity investor for 20 years, most recently as a Senior Partner and member of the Management Committee of MidOcean Partners. Prior to his role with MidOcean, Mr. Sharp was a partner at Investcorp International. He started his career in the mergers and acquisitions group at Drexel Burnham Lambert, and was later an investment banker at Bankers Trust. Mr. Sharp is a leader in the area of consumer investing, with a large network of executive relationships across all areas of the consumer landscape. He is especially known for investing in iconic brands, and has experience in virtually all areas of consumer products production, innovation, sales, marketing, distribution and channels, both domestically and globally.
Mr. Sharp received his MBA from Columbia University where he was a Samuel Bronfman Fellow, and graduated Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Union College.
Mr. Kennedy founded and serves as Managing Partner at Crystal Lake Capital, a real estate development firm specializing in building, financing and managing high-end, single and multi-family homes. Prior to establishing his own firm, Mr. Kennedy enjoyed more than 20 years in investment banking, building a leading franchise advising executives on mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financings, recapitalizations and other corporate finance matters. As a Partner at Moelis & Company, Joe helped launch the firm’s IPO advisory business. Mr. Kennedy also served as Head of Retail Investment Banking at Wachovia Corporation and Co-Head of Retail Investment Banking and Sector Head for Restaurants at Bank of America. Prior to Bank of America, he worked at Merrill Lynch and Chemical Banking Corporation.
Mr. Kennedy holds a B.S. from the College of Business Administration at Fordham University and an MBA from the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Rochester.
About ICR
Established in 1998, ICR partners with companies to optimize transactions and execute strategic communications programs that achieve business goals, build credibility and enhance long-term enterprise value. The firm’s highly differentiated service model, which pairs capital markets veterans with senior communications professionals, brings deep sector knowledge and relationships to more than 500 clients in approximately 20 industries. Today, ICR is one of the largest and most experienced independent communications and advisory firms in North America maintaining offices in New York, Norwalk, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco and Beijing.
Learn more at www.icrinc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @ICRPR.
Media Contact:
Bo Park
646.277.1222
bo.park@icrinc.com
