Theodore F. Perlman

Theodore F. Perlman founded HAVI in 1974 and owned and operated the business for 40 years. In 2014, CEO Russ Smyth and five members of senior management purchased the company from Mr. Perlman and the Perlman family. He remains involved in the business as a strategic advisor and HAVI brand ambassador to customers and employees.

Mr. Perlman began his career working at The Martin-Brower Company, serving in various roles with his last title being Senior Vice President and General Manager. Following the merger of the Martin-Brower Company with The Clorox Company, Mr. Perlman founded the Perlman-Rocque Company with his partner Bob Rocque. Perlman-Rocque began making supply deliveries to McDonald’s restaurants in the Chicago area in 1974.

In 1976, the two partners formed HAVI – deriving the name from their wives’ first names: Harriette and Vivian. In 1986, HAVI was purchased by Staley Continental. Mr. Perlman repurchased the Company in August 1988 and remained Chief Executive Officer until 2011 when he took on the role of Chairman.

During his long career, Mr. Perlman has received many honors, including the “Press On” Award by McDonald’s Corporation, given to business leaders exemplifying Ray Kroc’s philosophies; the “Silver Fox” Award by McDonald’s Corporation recognizing outstanding contributions to the McDonald’s System; the Midwest Frozen Food Association “Man of the Year” award for 1983; the Anti-Defamation League of Chicago’s “Community Leadership Award” in 1999; and the “Weizmann Leadership Award” from the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science in 2008.

His philanthropic career includes serving on the Board of Trustees for Ronald McDonald’s House Charities; Board of Directors of the Jewish United Fund and Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago; Vice-Chairman of B’nai B’rith Beber Camp; Board Member of BBYO, Inc., and President of The Perlman Family Foundation. He is also an active member of the Anti-Defamation League, The Weizmann Institute of Science, and the World’s Presidents Organization.

Mr. Perlman received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree along with minors in Political Science and History from the University of Michigan.