Arnaud Ajdler
Arnaud Ajdler brings significant M&A expertise and an investor mindset, with service on more than ten public company boards and participation in multiple successful public company sales. His experience would add critical discipline and credibility to the strategic review process.
Mr. Ajdler founded Engine Capital LP, a special situations hedge fund, in March 2013 and has served as Managing Partner since its inception. Prior to that, Mr. Ajdler was a Senior Managing Director and Partner at Crescendo Partners, an activist investment firm, from 2005 to 2013. In addition, Mr. Ajdler has taught value investing as an adjunct professor at the Columbia Business School.
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Mr. Ajdler has significant experience serving on public company boards, including as: (a) a member of the board of directors of Hill International, Inc. (formerly NYSE: HIL) from 2018 to 2022, including as Chair of the Compensation Committee; (b) a member of the board of directors of Recro Pharma, Inc. (formerly NASDAQ: REPH) from 2019 to 2020, including as a member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee; (c) a member of the board of directors of Stewart Information Services Corporation (NYSE: STC) from 2014 to 2019, including as a member of the Compensation Committee; (d) a member of the board of directors of Charming Shoppes, Inc. (formerly NASDAQ: CHRS) from 2008 to 2012, including as a member of the Audit Committee and Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee; (e) a member of the board of directors of Imvescor Restaurant Group Inc. (formerly TSX: IRG) from 2013 to 2016, including as a member of the Audit Committee; (f) a member of the board of directors of StarTek, Inc. (formerly NYSE: SRT) from 2015 to 2018, including as a member of the Compensation Committee; (g) a member of the board of directors of Destination Maternity Corporation (formerly NASDAQ: DEST) from 2008 to 2017, including as Chairman and a member of the Compensation Committee; (h) a member of the board of directors of O’Charley’s Inc. (formerly NASDAQ: CHUX) from March 2012 until it was acquired later that year, including as a member of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee; and (i) a member of the board of directors of The Topps Company (formerly NASDAQ: TOPP) from 2006 until it was acquired in 2007, including as a member of the Audit Committee.
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Mr. Ajdler received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the Free University of Brussels, a Master of Science in aeronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
Michael Croatti
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Michael Croatti brings unique operational expertise, intimate understanding of UniFirst’s business, and strong relationships across the industry. His more than 35 years of experience with the Company positions him to help unlock shareholder value and steward a process that honors UniFirst's legacy.
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Mr. Croatti has served as a consultant to UniFIrst since January 2025. Since joining the Company in 1987, Mr. Croatti has held positions of increasing responsibility in production, service, engineering, and sales, most recently serving as Executive Vice President of Operations from 2019 until December 2024. He previously served as Vice President, Operations from 2015 to October 2020, Senior Vice President, Service from 2012 to 2015, and Vice President, Central Rental Group, from 2002 to 2012. Prior to 2002, he held various operational positions within the Company. Throughout his career at UniFirst, Mr. Croatti built a track record of developing and executing strategic initiatives and demonstrated success in strengthening customer relationships and improving profitability.
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Mr. Croatti is also an owner and partner of Junk Rescue AZ, a waste collection company, since July 2025, and Scott Waste Services, a waste service company, since June 2025. Additionally, he has served on the board of trustees of Rivier University since 2017. Mr. Croatti received an M.B.A. from Rivier University and B.S. in Finance from Arizona State University.​