Leadership

"Leadership is about recognizing that there’s greatness in everyone, and your job is to create an environment where that greatness can emerge” - Bill Campbell

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OUR LEADERS

The Team Behind the Playbook

Justin Dye​

Founder &  Dye Capital CEO

Justin brings 25+ years of experience in strategic management, M&A, operations, private equity, and corporate finance. He has held senior roles at Cerberus Capital Management, General Electric, and Arthur Andersen LLP. As a leader, he’s known for driving growth through disciplined execution and has overseen tens of billions in acquisitions, divestitures, and real estate transactions.

Ken Diehl

Partner & Dye Capital President

Ken has 30+ years leading retail operations, marketing, merchandising, and strategic pricing. His career spans Kroger, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, A&P, Strack & Van Til, and Leslie’s Pool Supplies. Today, he serves as a Dye Capital Partner and CEO of Bloom MT, where he builds operator cultures that move metrics and scale businesses in competitive markets.

David Schaffner

Partner & Dye Capital CFO

Dave brings 20+ years of retail leadership across operations, merchandising, pricing, analytics/BI, compliance, and finance. At Leslie’s Pool Supplies, he was Director of Enterprise Analytics and played a key role in the company’s IPO, earnings releases, real estate expansion, and predictive analytics. He specializes in turning data discipline into repeatable operating cadence.

Brian Wells

Operating Partner & CMMO

Brian brings 30+ years of retail experience with executive leadership across operations, merchandising, supply chain, and logistics. Known for driving growth and operational excellence, he has led teams across multiple regions and formats, bringing a broad perspective on retail execution and strategy.

Vikas Ranganth

Operating Partner & CSCO

Vikas advanced from Supply Chain Analytics Manager to Senior Director at Leslie’s, leading initiatives that improved supply chain visibility, strengthened eCommerce strategy, and delivered meaningful operational and financial gains. Earlier roles at Sapta Technologies and Infosys built his foundation in software development and process automation, enabling data-driven solutions and efficiency improvements across global operations.

Sachin Kolgaonkar

Operating Partner & CIO

Sachin brings 20+ years of leadership in supply chain, process improvement, technology, analytics, merchandising, and operations across industries. He’s known for leading high-performing teams that unlock scalability and efficiency through systems discipline and continuous improvement.

Pratik Iyer

Vice President Data & Supply Chain

Pratik built a career spanning analytics, business intelligence, predictive modeling, marketing, and software engineering. He progressed from BI Analyst to Director of Analytics & BI at Leslie’s, where he led data architecture and analytics strategy to drive business insights and decision-making. Earlier roles at Accenture, Haier, Güdel, and Arizona State University established his foundation in software development, database management, teaching, and process optimization.

Sean Collins

Vice President Revenue

Seasoned protein specialist with 30+ years of international experience in retail, procurement, and sales. Proven expertise in global sourcing, supplier development, category growth, and strategic partnerships. Recognized for delivering high-quality protein programs, optimizing supply chains, and driving sustainable, profitable growth across diverse international markets.

Cheryl Doustan ​

Executive Admin

Cheryl is the Chief of Staff who ensures clarity, alignment, and culture across the organization. With a background in executive support, operations, and HR, she streamlines priorities and strengthens the cadence of execution, helping leaders and teams stay focused on what matters most.

Maurizio Pisciotta

Analytics & AI

Maurizio has 10+ years of experience in analytics and AI across retail, finance, energy, marketing, and operations. He designs and implements data models that drive measurable business impact, guiding organizations from foundational build-out through adoption of advanced analytics. His focus: making AI operational, not theoretical.

Arun Iyer

Analytics & AI

Arun Iyer is a marketing analytics and CRM professional focused on customer segmentation, predictive modeling, and personalization. He previously led analytics and lifecycle marketing initiatives at Leslie’s, driving measurable revenue growth, and now serves as a Financial Planning and Analysis Manager at Dye Capital & Company. Arun holds an MS in Business Analytics from Arizona State University.

Eli Felderman

Analytics & AI

Elijah Federman is an analyst at Dye Capital and graduated from DePauw University with a degree in economics and minors in finance and accounting. During his time at DePauw, he served as student body president, earned Academic All-District honors, and was actively involved in athletics and campus leadership, graduating cum laude with a strong record of academic and professional achievement.

Justin Dye​

Founder & CEO​

Justin brings 25+ years of experience in strategic management, M&A, operations, private equity, and corporate finance. He has held senior roles at Cerberus Capital Management, General Electric, and Arthur Andersen LLP. As a leader, he’s known for driving growth through disciplined execution and has overseen tens of billions in acquisitions, divestitures, and real estate transactions.

Ken Diehl

Partner

Ken has 30+ years leading retail operations, marketing, merchandising, and strategic pricing. His career spans Kroger, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, A&P, Strack & Van Til, and Leslie’s Pool Supplies. Today, he serves as a Dye Capital Partner and CEO of Bloom MT, where he builds operator cultures that move metrics and scale businesses in competitive markets.

David Schaffner

Partner

Dave brings 20+ years of retail leadership across operations, merchandising, pricing, analytics/BI, compliance, and finance. At Leslie’s Pool Supplies, he was Director of Enterprise Analytics and played a key role in the company’s IPO, earnings releases, real estate expansion, and predictive analytics. He specializes in turning data discipline into repeatable operating cadence.

Cheryl Doustan ​

Chief of Staff​

Cheryl is the Chief of Staff who ensures clarity, alignment, and culture across the organization. With a background in executive support, operations, and HR, she streamlines priorities and strengthens the cadence of execution, helping leaders and teams stay focused on what matters most.

Leadership that builds​

For us, leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about building environments where greatness can emerge.​