GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Lacks Enterprises, Inc. announced a change to the make-up and structure of its Board of Directors effective Jan. 1. John Kennedy and Darren R. Jackson have accepted the position of co-chairs of the board. Another change the company announced is the addition of Dan Bowen to the board.
These changes, which are part of the company’s structured succession plan and are being made in conjunction with the movement of Richard Lacks Jr. and Kurt Lacks to co-executive chairs, where they will continue to provide executive oversight.
Ryan Lacks and K.V. Lacks, sons of Richard and Kurt, respectively, will work closely with the board as they are mentored to eventually become the fourth generation of the Lacks family to oversee the management of the company.
“John and Darren’s leadership experience will further advance Lacks’ strength in the automotive industry while helping to guide our efforts as we diversify into other markets,” said Richard Lacks Jr. “Dan Bowen will provide great insight into market segments outside of automotive.”
The non-automotive segment is an area Lacks Enterprises will put a strong emphasis on as it looks to the future.
About John Kennedy
John Kennedy previously served as the president and CEO of Autocam Corporation, which he founded in 1988 and grew organically and through acquisition from $8 million to $400 million in sales. The company, which had 13 facilities in China, Brazil, Europe, and the U.S., was sold to NN Inc. in September 2014.
Currently, John is the president and CEO of Autocam Medical, a contract manufacturer of precision-machined implants and instruments for surgical applications, including bone screws and plates, surgical drivers, drill bits, and other cutting instruments. Since its startup in 2005, Autocam Medical has grown to $150 million in revenue with 500 employees at its facilities in Michigan, Massachusetts, Tennessee, China, and Brazil.
About Darren R. Jackson
Darren R. Jackson has an extensive background in executive leadership for several major publicly held companies. From 2008 until his retirement in 2016, he was president and CEOr of Advance Auto Parts, the second-largest automotive aftermarket parts provider in the U.S. which Forbes recognized as the “Best Managed Company in America” in the retail sector during his tenure.
Prior to Advance Auto Parts, Darren was employed from 2000 through 2007 at Best Buy Co., the specialty retailer of consumer electronics, where he was appointed executive vice-president of finance and CFO in February 2001. He had previously served as vice president and CEO of Nordstrom Full Line Department Stores, Inc. and he held various senior positions, including CFO, with Carson Pirie Scott & Co. a regional retailer where he was employed from 1989 to 1998.
About Dan Bowen
Dan Bowen is the founder and CEO of Dempsey Ventures, LLC, which focuses on investments in medical device companies while also seeking opportunities in other business ventures, including real estate and professional sports. In 2021, Dempsey Ventures sold its majority stake in SunMed Group Holdings, an anesthesia and respiratory platform which includes several medical brands.
Dempsey Ventures excels at acquiring businesses in which it actively participates in the governance, operations, and management. Before it was purchased by Dempsey in 2008, SunMed had been a 30-employee distribution business. Through strategic acquisitions and new product development, Dan and Dempsey Ventures were able to build SunMed into a 3,000-employee global organization with manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Mexico, and China.
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