Dir
James C. Pappas is a director and 10% owner of Innovative Food Holdings Inc. (IVFH), where he has served on the board since January 2020 and currently acts as chairman of the board.[[3]](https://fintool.com/app/research/companies/IVFH/people/james-pappas)[[2]](https://www.gurufocus.com/insider/109255/james-c-pappas) Through affiliated entities, he is a significant shareholder in IVFH and other public companies, reflecting an activist, value‑oriented investment approach.[[2]](https://www.gurufocus.com/insider/109255/james-c-pappas)[[3]](https://fintool.com/app/research/companies/IVFH/people/james-pappas) Pappas also serves on the board of United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), joining in September 2023 and sitting on the Compensation and Nominating & Governance Committees.[[1]](https://ir.unfi.com/governance/board-of-directors/person-details/default.aspx?ItemId=e28f3abd-e00c-4755-9fcb-ba4974041930) In addition, he has held board roles at multiple consumer, food, and retail companies, including Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Panera Brands, Tandy Leather Factory, Jamba, U.S. Geothermal, The Pantry, and Morgan’s Foods.[[1]](https://ir.unfi.com/governance/board-of-directors/person-details/default.aspx?ItemId=e28f3abd-e00c-4755-9fcb-ba4974041930)[[3]](https://fintool.com/app/research/companies/IVFH/people/james-pappas)
Pappas is the founder and managing member of JCP Investment Management, an investment firm he established in Houston in 2009, after earlier experience as a private investor and consultant.[[1]](https://ir.unfi.com/governance/board-of-directors/person-details/default.aspx?ItemId=e28f3abd-e00c-4755-9fcb-ba4974041930)[[3]](https://fintool.com/app/research/companies/IVFH/people/james-pappas) Previously, he worked in the Investment Banking/Leveraged Finance division at Goldman Sachs, advising private equity firms and corporations on leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and refinancings, and before that in consumer and retail investment banking at Banc of America Securities.[[1]](https://ir.unfi.com/governance/board-of-directors/person-details/default.aspx?ItemId=e28f3abd-e00c-4755-9fcb-ba4974041930)[[3]](https://fintool.com/app/research/companies/IVFH/people/james-pappas) He holds both a BBA and a master’s degree in finance from Texas A&M University, providing the financial and analytical foundation for his board and investment activities across the food, retail, and consumer sectors.[[3]](https://fintool.com/app/research/companies/IVFH/people/james-pappas)
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