Harsha V. Agadi
Biography
Harsha V. Agadi has passionately served businesses for over 35 years in leadership positions, including CEO, Chairman and Board Member for companies like American Express, Kraft General Foods, Pepsi, Crawford and Co, Belmond, Domino’s, Jimmy John’s, Little Caesars, Church’s Fried Chicken, Bijoux Terner, and Krystal & Co. He has also led successful turnaround and restructuring efforts at Friendly’s, Quizno’s & Sbarro’s . His ability to identify strengths, in both people and businesses, along with his willingness to take risks to create distinction and value, are the cornerstones of his success.
Agadi is the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Flotek Industries, Inc., an oil field service firm with a NYSE listing that specializes in data analytics and chemistry for the water, energy, and agricultural sectors. He is the Chairman of Transcend Cruises, an upscale European river cruise line, and an independent board member of The GLD Shoppe and myKaarma. He extends his work with these boards via his presence on the audit, investment, and compensation committees.
He was the President & Chief Executive Officer of Crawford & Company from 2015-2020, which marked his fifth time holding a CEO title. Agadi led the cultural, operational and technological renaissance within Crawford by establishing the company mission “to restore and enhance lives, businesses and communities”. His leadership led Crawford to its strongest financial position and enabled the company to embrace digital technologies to help customers meet their current and future challenges.
Agadi served on the board of Belmond Ltd. for eight years up to the sale of the luxury resort company to LVMH for over $3B. He also served on the board of Crawford & company for 11 years till his retirement. He was on the board of Diversified Foodservice Supply, Inc., and Affordit.
His knowledge and experience in Mergers & Acquisition , Due Diligence, Business Operations along with his strong insights of business and industry knowledge has led to his partnerships with large Private Equity companies in advisory and strategic roles. He also actively participates on several charitable boards. He has been on the boards of Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, Agadi's alma mater, for twelve years and Eaglebrook School in Massachusetts for eight years. He is on the Board of Trustees at Babson College and a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame Board of Governors.
In India, Agadi serves as Chairman of the board of SKSVMA College of Engineering & Technology, and also on the board of Agadi Sunrise Hospital. Agadi is an active donor via the GHS Charitable Foundation to Duke University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and St. Jude’s Hospital. He also established an endowment at the Fuqua School of Business, which is awarded each year to two promising women MBA candidates from India.
Agadi displays the strong character and acuity found in only the highest performing CEOs. His remarkable leadership led him to being honored by The Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2017 as its Most Admired CEO. He received the 2019 B’nai B’rith International Distinguished Achievement Award. This award recognized him for his commitment to industry innovation, philanthropy, diversity, education, and leadership in promoting tolerance around the globe. He was listed in Money Inc. as "The 20 most notable Duke University alumni in business".
Between his private equity partnerships and his exceptionally strong management experience in several public companies, Agadi has consistently produced stellar results. However, he wants to be judged by what he gives rather than what he receives; he considers this trait the true net worth of an individual. Agadi is married to Geetha and they have one son, Samir. In his spare time, he enjoys movies, travel and stamp collecting.
