Edward M. Straw

As Lead Independent Director, Admiral Ed Straw brings his distinguished career in logistics and operations management to Odyssey. He is the founder and managing partner of Osprey Venture Partners, a firm that assists young entrepreneurs find investment capital and provides assistance with early-stage business development. As the former President, Global Operations of The Estée Lauder Companies. Admiral Straw has many years of experience developing and managing operations in both major corporations and the U.S. military. In his role at Estée Lauder, he led the manufacturing, research and development, information systems, package engineering, quality assurance and global supply chain (procurement, inventory management, and distribution) areas, which supported all 20 of the company’s global brands. Before joining the Estée Lauder Companies, he was Senior Vice President, Global Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management at Compaq Computer Corporation, and President of Miami-based Ryder Integrated Logistics, a North American third-party supply chain services provider. Prior to entering the private sector, he had a distinguished career with the U.S. Navy, retiring as a three-star Admiral in 1996. In addition to Odyssey, he is on the boards of Performance Equity Management, Helius Medical Technologies, Lenitive Scientific and the Boston Consulting Group. Admiral Straw is a graduate of the US Naval Academy, and holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from The George Washington University. He and his wife, Christine, reside in New York City and Georgetown in the District of Columbia.