Gary Furst

Bio

Gary has thirty years experience leading small businesses and has an extensive background with brand management, product innovation, manufacturing, outsourcing, and retail channel strategies. As CEO, he has built and sold two enterprises to Fortune 500 companies at significant gains to shareholders. Prior to co-founding GEI, Gary was CEO of Weston Nurseries, a leading nursery grower, retailer, wholesaler, and landscaper designer. Gary was the first outsider to run the 80-year-old family business and he led a turnaround that resulted in significantly improved operating cash flow and increased revenue. Previously, Gary served as CEO of Kryptonite, the preeminent global producer of portable security products, where he was the first outsider to run the 25 year-old family business and led a strategic transition that resulted in a sale to Ingersoll Rand for more than 12 times the value of the business when he joined. Gary began his career at American Brush Company, a leading manufacturer of paint applicator products, where he was the fourth generation owner. As CEO, he oversaw significant top-line and bottom-line growth, and ultimately sold the firm to The Stanley Works Company, where he stayed on for three years as President of the paint applicator division. Gary has served as a director for numerous business concerns and has been awarded an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for Consumer Products. Gary earned his B.A. from Clark University and is a graduate of Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program.