Edward P. “Ned” Grace III

Edward P. “Ned” Grace III is the president of Phelps Grace International, Inc., an investment management company. Mr. Grace is an American College of Corporate Directors-certified director with a demonstrated history of expertise in the restaurant and private equity industries. His extensive skillset lies in business planning, operations management, sales, and business development.

Mr. Grace is the founder, and past chairman, president and CEO of The Capital Grille and Bugaboo Creek Steak House chains, which he took public in 1994 (NASDAQ:RARE). He sold his chains to Longhorn Steaks, Inc. in 1996 and was a director and former vice chairman of the combined public company, known as RARE Hospitality International, Inc. He was also a senior advisor for Angelo Gordon & Co., a New York-based alternative asset manager.

He is currently a director of Barings Capital Corporate Investors (NYSE:MCI), Barings Capital Participation Investors (NYSE:MPV), and former Director of Benihana, Inc. He is an active investor in public and private companies. He has worked with numerous private equity firms that invest in the retail/restaurant space. He has chaired and been a member of multiple public companies, private companies, and university audit and compensation committees.