Robert Spellman

Bob brings over 40 years of operational experience, primarily with retail and wholesale businesses, to Fireman Capital Partners as an Operating Partner. Bob served as Chief Financial Officer of Staples, Inc., Star Markets Company, Inc. and The Yankee Candle Company, Inc., and oversaw the Initial Public Offering for both Staples and The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. Bob joined Staples in September 1988; the Company went public in April 1989; he remained active until September 1994. During his tenure, sales increased from less than $100 million to approximately $2 billion. Bob joined Star Markets in September 1994 as Chief Financial Officer and Director, returning to the Company where he had worked before joining Staples. He was part of an investment group that purchased the Star Markets chain from American Stores Co. The Company was sold to J Sainsbury plc in 1998. Bob invested in and joined Yankee Candle Company as Chief Financial Officer in November 1998; the Company went public in July 1999. Bob subsequently became a Director of the Company and he retired in March 2005. Currently, he serves as a board member of Au Bon Pain, Bandon Holdings, CANarchy, Dunn’s River Brands, Project Hope, Surfside Holdings, Tufts Health Plan and Water Pik. Prior board affiliations include Skip Hop, Cambridge Savings Bank, City Sports, Hudson Jeans, Philosophy, Second Time Around, Spyder Active Sports, Star Markets and Yankee Candle.