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Team

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Anand Gowda

Anand is the founder of High Bluff. He brings 20 years of experience in transforming brands & companies. Before founding High Bluff, Anand was the president & managing partner of Metropoulos & Company. Previously, Anand founded and led HBK Private Equity, LLC, the private equity arm of HBK Capital Management ($6BN+AUM). Earlier in his career, Anand was a principal with The Carlyle Group. His experience also includes Morgan Stanley, Robertson Stephens & Company, and Price Waterhouse, LLP. Anand graduated from Washington University in St Louis and received his MBA from the University of Illinois.

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Cary Devore

Cary is a senior advisor and board member of High Bluff. He is currently EVP & COO of Utz Quality Foods, LLC, the largest privately-held, branded salty snack food company in the U.S. Prior to Utz, he was a managing director at Metropoulos & Co., working alongside Anand Gowda to make investments in branded food and beverage companies. With Anand, Cary co-founded and helped lead HBK Private Equity, LLC, the private equity arm of HBK Capital Management, and SilverStream Capital, a single-family platform with several billion of assets under management. Earlier in his career, Cary worked for Jordan Industries, Inc., an affiliate of The Jordan Company focused on middle‐market buyouts across multiple sectors. Cary’s experience also includes UBS Investment Bank and Price Waterhouse, LLP. Cary graduated from the University of Illinois, magna cum laude, and received his MBA from the University of Michigan with high honors.

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Coady Smith

Coady is responsible for diligence on new investment opportunities and helping oversee High Bluff's portfolio companies. Prior to joining High Bluff, he held investment positions at Regent, L.P. and Ares Management. His private equity experience has largely centered on consumer facing companies, with extended involvement in 99 Cents Only Stores and The Beautiful Group. Coady began his career as an investment banking analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He graduated from Claremont McKenna College with a master’s degree in Finance and a bachelor’s degree in Economics.

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Ryan Pitt

Ryan is responsible for diligence on new investment opportunities and helping oversee High Bluff's portfolio companies. Prior to joining High Bluff, he held investment positions at Mistral Equity Partners and Goode Partners. While at Mistral, he also worked alongside its affiliated SPACs, including Haymaker Acquisition Corp. III, Tastemaker Acquisition Corp and AF Acquisition Corp. His investing experience has primarily focused on consumer facing companies, with extended involvement in Worldwise, DTLR Villa, Marolina Outdoor, Forman Mills and Strong Roots. Ryan began his career at Citi in its Consumer Products Investment Banking team. He graduated from Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University, with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.

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Jim Summers

Jim is an Operating Partner of High Bluff, and the Executive Chairman of its portfolio company, ARC Burger. Jim has more than three decades of experience in convenience retail, wholesale/retail fuel, restaurant operations, big box retail and the rental industry. Prior to joining High Bluff, Jim served as SVP of U.S. Operations for 7-Eleven, Inc.

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Julie Bayani

Julie manages the day-to-day office operations; including executive support, scheduling, and coordinating travel arrangements. With over 10 years of experience in office management and administrative support, she is passionate about helping organizations run smoothly and efficiently. Prior to joining High Bluff, Julie has served as an executive assistant to companies such as NuVasive and ICW Group.

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