Mr. Mannebach is a founding partner of Blackbird. Blackbird’s investor partners include twelve( (12)  senior operating executives located in the USA, Europe, the Middle East and Australia.  Since formation, Blackbird has successfully completed six (6) acquisitions, subsequently selling one to a strategic buyer.

Mr. Mannebach’s prior employment was with IMI Plc as President and Chief Executive Officer of Norgren.  Norgren is a world leader in air and motion control, operating in all major global markets.  The company has in excess of 30 plants in the Americas, Europe and Asia and employs approximately 7,000 people.  During his tenure, Mr. Mannebach led Norgren to revenue of greater than $1.4 billion, growing sales volume by 74% over a four year period.   In addition, during Mr. Mannebach’s tenure the Company doubled its operating profit margins.  Mr. Mannebach possesses substantial expertise in global operations strategy, with particular focus on best cost production, lean manufacturing, global sourcing and supply chain optimization.

Prior to joining Norgren, Mr. Mannebach served as the Group Vice President of Roper Industires’ Industrial Business segment.  While at Roper, Mr. Mannebach had $400 million of P/L responsibility, consisting of eight U.S. and European based businesses.  Mr. Mannebach was also an active participant in Roper’s aggressive acquisition-led value creation strategy, leading its largest acquisition of Neptune Technology Group ($475 million transaction value) and subsequent successful integration.

Prior to joining Roper, Mr. Mannebach spent 15 years at Emerson Electric Co. in various senior general management and financial leadership roles.  The positions held by Mr. Mannebach include, Emerson’s Corporate Vice President, President of Emerson’s Process Flow division ($500 million business), President of Micro Motion ($250 million business), Chief Financial Officer of Fisher-Rosemount ($3 billion business) and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Xomox Corporation ($200 million business).  While in these positions, Mr. Mannebach led extensive domestic and international acquisition expansion initiatives and was instrumental in the development and subsequent launch of numerous market leading product platforms.

Mr. Mannebach holds a Masters in Business Administration from Washington University in St Louis, a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the University of Missouri and is also a Certified Public Accountant.  Mr. Mannebach has been married for more than 30 years. He and his wife have 2 children. He currently lives in both St Louis, MO  and Tucson, AZ.