Gryphon Investors, a San Francisco-based private equity firm, said that Dennis O’Brien will join the firm as a partner, effective April 14. He will work in Gryphon’s operations resources group, headed by partner Will Lynn, and will have responsibility for monitoring and improving the performance of a group of Gryphon’s portfolio companies.

O'Brien has 27 years of operating experience in the consumer products industry with companies such as Procter & Gamble, Nestle, Campbell Soup Co. and ConAgra. His last position at ConAgra was president and chief operating officer of the company’s $8.5 billion packaged food business.

“He has proven skills at improving performance in a broad range of businesses,” David Andrews, Gryphon’s managing general partner, said. “He adds significant operating experience to our team.”

Gryphon Investors focuses on leveraged acquisitions of, and growth investments in, middle-market companies.