# Paul Wagstaff

> Paul Smucker Wagstaff is the Medina, Ohio-based co-founder and CEO of 21cv. A former J.M. Smucker executive and director, he founded Eagle Foods with private equity partner Kelso, later co-founded Embassy Park, and works across consumer brands, operations, investment, and advisory roles.

- **Role:** Co-Founder and CEO at 21cv
- **Organizations:** 21cv, The J.M. Smucker Company, Eagle Foods, Embassy Park, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, Alphia, Agropur, Cyprium Partners
- **Education:** International Relations; Pepperdine biography describes a B.A., The College of Wooster, International Business; institutional materials variously use MBA, IMBA, and MIB, Pepperdine University, Graziadio Business School
- **Known for:** Led Smucker’s U.S. Retail Consumer Foods division; Pepperdine reports $2.4 billion in net sales and over $400 million in profit., Established Eagle Foods around the Eagle Brand canned milk acquisition and led its expansion through snack acquisitions., Co-founded Embassy Park, an investment and advisory firm focused on consumer businesses.

## Career timeline

- **1996-2015** — Held increasingly senior operating roles at The J.M. Smucker Company.
- **2001** — Became Vice President and General Manager, Foodservice Market.
- **2006** — Became Vice President, Foodservice and Beverage Markets.
- **2008** — Became President, U.S. Retail Oils and Baking, in August.
- **2009** — Joined the Smucker board in January.
- **2011** — Became President, U.S. Retail Consumer Foods, effective May 1.
- **2015** — Left Smucker; founded Eagle Foods in partnership with Kelso, with the canned milk acquisition as its foundation.
- **2016** — Eagle Foods acquired Cornfields, including G.H. Cretors popcorn.
- **2017** — Eagle Foods acquired Popcorn, Indiana in August.
- **2018** — Co-founded consumer-sector investment and advisory firm Embassy Park.
- **2025** — 21cv says the platform was formalized in April, with Wagstaff as co-founder and CEO.

## Achievements

- Led Smucker’s U.S. Retail Consumer Foods division; Pepperdine reports $2.4 billion in net sales and over $400 million in profit.
- Established Eagle Foods around the Eagle Brand canned milk acquisition and led its expansion through snack acquisitions.
- Co-founded Embassy Park, an investment and advisory firm focused on consumer businesses.
- Served on public-company, private-company, and educational boards.

## Latest updates

- **2025-04** — 21cv says it formalized its CPG management platform, supported by a venture studio and branded entertainment division.

## Links

- Website: https://21cv.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulswagstaff

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/paul-wagstaff
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-10