NEW YORK – J.F. Lehman & Company, a leading middle-market private equity firm focused on the defense, aerospace and maritime sectors, announces the addition of three members to its Operating Executive Board (“OEB”): General John P. Abizaid, U.S. Army (Ret.); Admiral Thomas B. Fargo, U.S. Navy (Ret.) and Admiral Robert E. Kramek, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.). The OEB is a group of 11 seasoned industry and government executives who have significant experience in the firm’s target industries. Through key relationships and sector-specific knowledge, OEB members contribute to sourcing and evaluating transactions, advising on portfolio company strategy and recruiting senior level portfolio company management.
General John P. Abizaid retired from the U.S. Army in May 2007 after a career spanning 34-years of active service. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, General Abizaid rose from infantry platoon leader to become, at the time, the youngest four-star general in the Army. At the time of his retirement he was the longest serving commander of the United States Central Command. General Abizaid studied at the University of Jordan in Amman, holds a master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University and is widely considered to be an expert in the field of Middle Eastern Affairs. General Abizaid is the first Annenberg Distinguished Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University and a member of the Council of Foreign Relations and the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Admiral Thomas B. Fargo joined the private sector after a 35-year career serving the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense. He served as Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command and as the last Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Admiral Fargo’s service included six tours in Washington, DC, in addition to five commands in the Pacific, Indian Ocean and Middle East. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Admiral Fargo currently serves as President and CEO of Hawaii Superferry, Inc. He serves on the Boards of Directors for Hawaiian Electric Industries, United Services Automobile Association and Northrop Grumman Corporation.
Admiral Robert E. Kramek retired from U.S. Coast Guard as a four-star Admiral after 37 years of service. A graduate from the United States Coast Guard Academy, Admiral Kramek rose quickly through the Coast Guard ranks serving in many roles including Commander of the 7th and 13th Coast Guard Districts and Coast Guard Chief of Staff before becoming Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. He pursued advanced studies at the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Alaska and graduated with Highest Distinction from the U.S. Naval War College. After retiring from the U.S. Coast Guard, he joined the American Bureau of Shipping and has served as its President and Chief Operating Officer. He currently serves as President of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and as a Director and Advisor to several public and private corporations.