Scott Lazar brings more than 25 years of experience in growth, cost cutting and process improvement with Fortune 100, entrepreneurial, private equity and venture capital backed companies. As an executive, entrepreneur and advisor, Lazar has consistently created new value for stakeholders.

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Following marketing and sales roles of increasing responsibility at Kraft, Nabisco, ConAgra and Kellogg, Lazar began applying these skills to creating entirely new businesses.   As EVP at River West Brands, he reintroduced previously discontinued brands from Nabisco, Gillette and Mead Johnson through new start-ups or via strategic partnerships with companies such as AriZona Beverage, Big Lots! and American Hotel Register.

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Lazar first developed the SIMPLIMENTAL™ concept a decade ago and formally applied the principles to the launch of Reserve Brands Inc.  As CEO, Lazar raised millions in venture capital for the national re-launch of the former Anheuser-Busch EAGLE™ Snacks brand, leveraging strategic relationships with national partners to achieve large-company results from just a handful of employees before the business was successfully sold.

 

Lazar later joined Dale & Thomas Popcorn Company as CEO, leading the turnaround of this 150+ person company backed by Goldman Sachs partners.  Lazar used the SIMPLIMENTAL™ framework and analytical process to streamline company divisions, product lines and customers while expanding the topline to deliver the company’s first ever profitable quarter.

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As Managing Partner of Hired Gun Advisors, Lazar often uses the SIMPLIMENTAL™ approach to advise C-level and other executives on strategy, M&A, organizational effectiveness, innovation and business development backed by a track record of superior growth through outside partnerships including licensing, co-manufacturing and joint ventures.  Lazar has also conducted commercial due diligence for dozens of M&A deals.

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Lazar is passionate about improving businesses through better choices and is often sought out for his expertise. Lazar has been an expert panelist for the Fortune/CNN/Money.com’s "Makeover Your Business" series, has been interviewed by the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune and has authored several articles for Private Label Buyer magazine. 

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Lazar received a Marketing degree from the University of Connecticut, an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management and has been a frequent guest lecturer at Olin Business School at Washington University.