Neal K Aronson

Aronson founded Roark in 2001. In addition to his responsibilities as Managing Partner, he is most actively involved in Roark's investments in FOCUS Brands, Primrose, Corner Bakery, CKE, Batteries Plus, and Arby's. Prior to founding Roark, Aronson was Co-Founder and CFO of U.S. Franchise Systems ("USFS"). Aronson helped transform USFS from one brand with 22 hotels in nine states to three brands with more than 500 hotels in 50 states and five countries, making USFS the tenth largest hotel company in the United States. Prior to founding USFS, Aronson was a Principal of Odyssey Partners, L.P., a private investment partnership founded by Jack Nash and Leon Levy. Prior to Odyssey, Aronson was a Principal and General Partner at Acadia Partners, L.P. (now Oak Hill Partners), and subsequently a Managing Director of its successor company Rosecliff Inc. Aronson began his career in the corporate finance department at Drexel, Burnham, Lambert Incorporated. Aronson received a B.A. from Lehigh University.