LOS ANGELES — Pinkberry has named Ron Graves as its chief executive officer. Graves, a general partner of venture capital firm Maveron, began serving as interim chief executive when Maveron invested in the company in October 2007.
Graves will work with Pinkberry co-founders, Shelly Hwang and Young Lee, to build on the company's early success and lead its domestic and international growth, according to a news release. Hwang will continue to oversee product development and Lee will continue to focus on store design.
Pinkberry recently opened its 60th store and has locations in Los Angeles, San Diego and New York.
Graves brings more than 15 years of start-up operations, marketing and leadership experience. He began his career as an officer in the United States Air Force, where he served as an instructor pilot and F-16 fighter pilot. Graves earned a B.S. degree from the United States Air Force Academy and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.
