Jeff Zalla

Founding Partner

  • 10+ years as business owner and entrepreneur
  • CFO, Chiquita Brands International Inc. (NYSE)
  • Deloitte
  • MBA Wharton, Entrepreneurship and Real Estate; BA Thomas More University

Jeff@FoxholeEquity.com

“Jeff is the most logical, analytical, process driven thinker I have worked with. At the same time, he can step back to take a big picture, strategic perspective on a situation. I learned much from Jeff, which I have applied into my current role as CFO of a $300MM company.”

“Jeff is a dynamic and effective leader, and an intellect who thrives on complex and challenging situations. He is very analytical, which helps him navigate efficiently and effectively through complex situations. People that have had the pleasure of working with or for Jeff directly all have the utmost respect for him.”

“Jeff is one of the very best I have worked with in understanding the intersections between treasury, finance, accounting and business operations. Jeff is also very thoughtful and very accomplished in dealing with important, complicated and/or sensitive matters in the Boardroom.”

“Jeff is one of the strongest corporate executives I have worked with in my nearly 14-year professional career working with Fortune 500 and mid-cap companies. Jeff combines very high intelligence, strong leadership, interpersonal skills, honesty and integrity. Those who know Jeff immediately understand that they can trust him inherently.”

“Jeff is as adept at mastering the detailed and complex issues of capital raising and risk management as he is understanding the broader, more strategic perspective required of a chief financial officer of a multi-billion-dollar global enterprise.”

“Jeff is as adept at mastering the detailed and complex issues of capital raising and risk management as he is understanding the broader, more strategic perspective required of a chief financial officer of a multi-billion-dollar global enterprise.”

“Jeff recently concluded years of stellar service as an Independent Director. He brings a rare combination of vision, commitment, and precision to his work. We are significantly better as an organization thanks to his contributions and leadership.”

Jeffrey M. Zalla is an entrepreneur and investor focused on building sustainable businesses that are leaders in their fields, and in particular industrial services companies that distinguish themselves in quality, service and reliability.

Jeff is a Co-Founder and a Managing Partner of Foxhole Equity, a mid-market private investment firm based in Greater Cincinnati with interests in both operating businesses and real estate.

Since 2011, Jeff has served as CEO of Tufco Flooring LLC, the leading provider of premium industrial flooring and drain solutions to global brand companies in the food, beverage and manufacturing sectors (tufcoflooring.com). In 2017, Tufco earned the Goering Center award for the best Private Business in Greater Cincinnati with 25-100 employees. Jeff serves as Operating Partner of Diatom Aviation LLC, which provides equipment-repair and assembly services to DHL, UPS and other global air-cargo carriers operating in the Midwest. Jeff is also co-founder of brightSTAR Communities LLC, launched in 2019 to build communities and improve lives through affordable housing, and of Professional Pallets LLC, founded in 2021 as a leading provider of wood pallets, crating and logistics support in Cincinnati, Ohio, Louisville, Kentucky, and surrounding areas.

Earlier, Jeff distinguished himself throughout his 19-year career with Chiquita Brands

International, Inc. (NYSE), including four years as an award-winning CFO for this $4 billion U.S. public company. When Jeff left Chiquita in 2009, the company was in excellent financial shape and achieving its best operating and financial performance in more than a decade. In various finance roles, Jeff was responsible for more than $1.4 billion in mergers & acquisitions transactions and $2 billion in financings involving leading global investment and commercial banks. As Chiquita’s first corporate responsibility officer, Jeff transformed Chiquita’s culture and reputation through achievement of leading third-party standards of environmental, social and ethical performance. In earlier roles, he also headed corporate communications and was executive sponsor of its global management development program. Prior to Chiquita, Jeff worked as an auditor and consultant in the Emerging Business Services practice of Deloitte & Touche, where he earned his CPA.

Jeff earned his MBA with distinction from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1990, with majors in Entrepreneurship and Real Estate, and graduated summa cum laude from Thomas More College in 1985.

For 15 years, Jeff served as a member of the board of directors of Business for Social Responsibility, the leading global not-for-profit organization working with business to create a just and sustainable world. Jeff’s service included roles on BSR’s executive and audit committees.

Outside of family and work, Jeff immerses himself in natural beauty, design, and the pursuit of fine craftsmanship.

Jeff and his wife Christina live on 20 acres in Burlington, Kentucky, where they are building a new modern home and studio. They have four adult children: Lauren, a Ph.D. in social epidemiology at UNC Chapel Hill and Johns Hopkins University; Emily, a designer and letterpress printer (licketysplitpress.com); Michael, a software engineer at Apple; and Nicholas, a customer support advisor at a software firm.