AUA Private Equity Partners has appointed Esperanza Carrion, a former marketing executive with Goya Foods, as a new Operating Executive focusing on consumer, food and beverage companies and Hispanic-oriented business opportunities.
Ms. Carrion brings diverse experience in global and multicultural marketing. Ms. Carrion established her marketing career with Colgate Palmolive Philippines and has held the position of Marketing Director for The Coca-Cola Company, Kraft Foods International, Sara Lee Corporation and Goya Foods. She is currently the Marketing Director at Professional Disposable International where she oversees the marketing function of its B2B operations. Ms. Carrion is a specialist in marketing and branding and has exceptional understanding and expertise in marketing products to the Hispanic community in the United States.
“I am ecstatic to have Esperanza join our Operating Executive Board and feel fortunate to be able to have the opportunity to work with her once again. I have known and worked with Esperanza for close to 15 years, having recruited her to the marketing department at Goya Foods. She is one of the top marketing executives in the industry who understands the Hispanic community and how to market to its unique and diverse populations,” said Andy Unanue, Managing Partner of AUA Equity.
AUA Private Equity Partners makes equity investments in companies in the consumer, media and business services sectors with a particular focus on Hispanic-oriented companies and family-owned businesses located in the United States. The new firm plans to invest $10 to $30 million of equity in companies that generate $3 million to $15 million in EBITDA. AUA Equity makes control and significant minority investments in a variety of transactions and structures including: traditional leveraged buyouts; growth equity; recapitalizations; and roll-up strategies. The firm is based in New York, NY (www.auaequity.com).
“Andy Unanue and his family are pioneers in the food industry and at meeting the needs of the US Hispanic marketplace. In addition, the combination of Andy’s investment acumen and his operating expertise makes him one of the foremost executives who have successfully mastered the marketing and selling of consumer products to Hispanics. I am extremely excited to be re-united with Andy and have the opportunity to continue to expand my horizons by joining his private equity team as an Operating Executive.”
