Alan Bernon

'76, B.B.A.
Partner – Sequel Holdings

Alan J. Bernon is a founding investor and a Member of Advisory Board at Sequel Holdings, L.P., a Dallas based private equity firm. He recently resigned as Director of Dean Foods Company, in Dallas, Texas. Sequel Holdings was responsible for over 115 acquisitions made by Dean Foods and related companies during the past 15 years with a combined enterprise value of approximately $7 billion.

Mr. Bernon and his brother built their family business, Garelick Farms, from approximately $100 million in sales in 1985 to almost $400 million when they sold the business along with their plastics company, Franklin Plastics, to Suiza Foods in 1997. In 2001, Suiza purchased Dean Foods, and Alan Bernon became COO of the Northeast Region.  As the Chief Operating Officer, he was responsible for the region’s growth from close to $300 million in sales in 1997 to approximately $1.5 billion in 2003.

Alan Bernon was originally elected to Dean Food’s Board of Directors in connection with their acquisition of The Garelick Companies in 1997.  He had retained his position at Garelick Farms as the President from 1985 to 2008.

Dean Foods is the leading US producer of fluid milk and dairy products. Its retail and foodservice dairy products are sold under more than 50 regional, private-label, and national brand names, including Borden, Pet, Country Fresh, and Meadow Gold. In addition, the company manufactures coffee creamers, dips and yogurt, ice cream, and specialty dairy products (lactose-free milk, soy milk, flavored milks). Dean Foods also operates Horizon Organic, Rachel's Organic, and WhiteWave Foods. The company has an alliance with Land O'Lakes to market value-added dairy products under their brand, and, through licensing agreements, produces Hershey's flavored milks.  In addition, Dean owns approximately 25% of Consolidated Containers (plastic beverage packaging), which supplies Dean with plastic bottles and bottle components, and is one of the US's largest makers of rigid plastic containers. The company's Dairy Group operates some 100 manufacturing sites in 35 US states.

Mr. Bernon received a B.B.A Degree in Finance from Hofstra University, and is currently a member of the University's Board of Trustees and Executive Committee for The Campaign for Hofstra University. He also serves as Trustee of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, The Fessenden School, and The Wang Center for the Performing Arts.  He is a past Board member of the Milk Industry Foundation.