Evan Behrens

Evan Behrens brings more than 25 years of experience operating and investing in businesses across market cycles and industries. He is currently the managing partner of Behrens Investment Group and serves on the boards of Oppenheimer Holdings (NYSE: OPY) and Harte Hanks (NYSE: HHS).  

From 2008 to 2017, Behrens led corporate development for multi-billion-dollar SEACOR Holdings (NYSE: CKH), where he successfully led the company in distressed situations and complex negotiations and bore responsibility for reinvigorating and growing underperforming businesses. He oversaw strategy, capital allocation, and governance for both SEACOR and each acquired entity. Upon the spinout of SEACOR Marine (NYSE: SMHI), Behrens joined the board and stepped down from operating responsibilities. 

As chairman of Trailer Bridge, Behrens led a Chapter 11 restructuring and designed and executed a turnaround plan. In returning Trailer Bridge from negative EBITDA in 2013 to sustainable profitability from 2015 on, Behrens maintained three of seven board seats, led executive hiring efforts, and restructured reporting systems.

Behrens led and originated direct investments and lending opportunities through non-traditional corporate methods, including the purchase of bank debt, equities, and loans. Upon securing a 10% equity position in Penford Products (NDAQ: PENX)—a developer, manufacturer, and marketer of specialty natural-based ingredient systems— Behrens filled a board seat and initiated a proxy contest to elect operating professionals to the Penford board. His efforts contributed to a nearly 80% increase in share price and an eventual sale to Ingredion (NYSE: INGR) in an all-cash transaction.

In 2009, Behrens led the creation of Illinois Corn Processing (“ICP”) by partnering with MGP Ingredients (NDAQ: MGPI) and purchasing 50% of their specialty ethanol plant in Pekin, Illinois. Behrens was actively involved in all major decisions, including capital expenditures, hedging, and marketing. In 2012, SEACOR sold its marketing arm (SEACOR Energy) to Par Petroleum and exercised its option to purchase an additional 20% for control of ICP. Behrens went on to orchestrate its eventual sale to Pacific Ethanol in 2017. Concurrent to his involvement in ICP, Behrens led the purchase of a 10% stake in MGP and, in close collaboration with the founding family, prevailed in an aggressive proxy contest.

Prior to 2008, Behrens held a series of positions at top-tier hedge funds, investing across industries and across the capital structure through special situations, capital arbitrage, long/short, and other strategies. He was a partner and portfolio manager with Level Global; a founder and CEO of his own fund, Behrens Rubinoff Capital Partners; a portfolio manager at SAC Capital, where he worked directly with Steve Cohen; a research analyst at Ulysses Management; and the domestic head of Special Situations at Paribas. He was a member of the Chicago Board of Trade while earning his B.S. at the University of Chicago.

Behrens previously served on the boards of Sidewinder Drilling (now a part of NYSE: ICD), SEACOR Marine (NYSE: SMHI), Stemline Therapeutics (pre-IPO, now NADQ: STML), Penford Products (NADQ: PENX, now part of NYSE: INGR), Continental Insurance Group (NYSE: HCHC), and Global Marine (NYSE: HCHC).