Ethan Allen
Ethan Allen is a company that is currently facing a proxy battle with activist investor Sandell Asset Management, who believes they can unlock significant value for shareholders.
Activist
January 10, 1738
Capricorn
February 12, 1789
51
Litchfield, Connecticut
Ethan Allen, a key figure in the American War of Independence, is renowned for leading the Green Mountain Boys in capturing Fort Ticonderoga from the British in 1775. He played a crucial role in drafting the Vermont State Constitution and served as the state’s inaugural governor. Allen wrote several books, including “Reason: the Only Oracle of Man” and “The Canon of Reason and Virtue,” and was a skilled farmer, businessman, and philosopher.
Recently, Ethan Allen Interiors, a furniture company named after him, has faced a campaign for control by activist investor Sandell Asset Management. The investor has criticized the company’s CEO contract and board appointments, suggesting that Ethan Allen Interiors should contemplate selling itself to a private equity firm or monetizing its real estate holdings. The proxy battle between the company and the activist investor is ongoing, with Sandell Asset Management aiming to unlock over $13 a share in value.