RON BURKLE

Managing Partner

Yucaipa Cos.

Investor and philanthropist Ron Burkle is managing partner of Yucaipa Cos., an investment firm he founded in 1986 that focuses on the retail, manufacturing, distribution and hospitality industries. The firm, known for its major grocery-chain mergers and acquisitions, has completed deals valued at more than $30 billion. Burkle has served as chairman and controlling shareholder of numerous companies, including Alliance Entertainment, Golden State Foods, Dominick’s, Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Food4Less. Burkle is chairman of the Ronald W. Burkle Foundation, which aims to support the arts, foster workers’ rights and empower underserved communities. He also serves as co-chairman of the Burkle Center for International Relations at UCLA. Burkle lives in Bozeman, Mont., but Yucaipa Cos. is based in Los Angeles.