01 Mar Gardner Standard Welcomes Craig Francisco as Chief Operating Officer

Brooklyn, NY / March 1, 2025  – Gardner Standard is excited to announce that Craig Francisco has joined the team as its Chief Operating Officer. With over 25 years of experience leading high-performing teams and driving operational excellence, Craig brings a wealth of expertise in optimizing core operations, executing strategic growth initiatives, and integrating acquisitions to maximize value.

Before joining Gardner Standard, Craig served as Chief Operating Officer for a private equity-backed life sciences company specializing in laboratory consumables, diagnostics, and niche manufacturing. During his tenure, he oversaw a team of 900 across 12 countries, driving operational excellence, M&A integration, and strategic growth. His deep experience in mergers and acquisitions, coupled with his passion for empowering businesses, aligns with Gardner Standard’s commitment to long-term value creation.

“We are pleased to welcome Craig, who brings a wealth of operational acumen and integration expertise to our team. Our deep value investment strategy is experiencing tremendous growth momentum, and we see a significant opportunity set ahead of us. Craig’s experience will be instrumental in taking our platform to the next level.”

Michael Healy, CEO
Gardner Standard

Craig’s ability to drive results while fostering a people-first culture makes him a strong addition to the Gardner Standard team. “I am honored to join Gardner Standard at this exciting time,” said Craig Francisco. “I look forward to working with the team to adapt, accelerate, and create long-term value for our companies and our people.”