GNC 2008 Annual Report Download - page 126

Table of Contents
and Vice President of Scientific Affairs since December 2003. Dr. Ramanathan began his employment as Medical Director of General Nutrition
Corporation in April 1998. Between August 2000 and December 2003, he also provided scientific and clinical trials oversight for the North
American subsidiaries of Royal Numico, the former parent company of General Nutrition Corporation. Prior to joining General Nutrition
Corporation, Dr. Ramanathan worked as Medical Director and Secretary for the Efamol subsidiary of Scotia Pharmaceuticals in Boston.
Between 1984 and 1998, in his capacity as a pediatric dentist and dental surgeon, Dr. Ramanathan held various industry consulting and
management roles, as well as clinical, research and teaching appointments in Madras, India, and Tufts University and New England Medical
Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
Joseph J. Weiss became Senior Vice President of Merchandising in May 2006, after having served as Vice President of our diet and energy
category since February 2005 and previously as Vice President of our VMHS category since January 2003. From 1997 to January 2003,
Mr. Weiss was employed by Henkel Corporation, currently known as Cognis Corporation, where he managed branded raw ingredients and
developed sales and marketing programs for leading supplement manufacturers. From 1992 to 1997, Mr. Weiss was employed by General
Nutrition Companies, Inc. where he managed several product categories.
Richard C. Oprison became Senior Vice President of Marketing in October 2007. From 2005 until 2007, Mr. Oprison was Vice President of
Marketing for Education Management Corporation. At EDMC, Mr. Oprison led all North American marketing activities for The Art Institutes, a
$900 million system of 36 design and culinary colleges. Prior to joining EDMC, Mr. Oprison held various senior marketing and brand
management positions at Blattner Brunner Advertising, Online-Choice.com, and SmithKline Beecham.
Norman Axelrod became Chairman of our Board of Directors in March 2007 upon consummation of the March 2007 Merger. Mr. Axelrod
was Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Linens n Things, Inc. until its acquisition in February 2006. Mr. Axelrod
joined Linens n Things as Chief Executive Officer in 1988 and was elected to the additional position of Chairman of the Board in 1997. From
1976 to 1988, Mr. Axelrod held various management positions at Bloomingdale's, ending with Senior Vice President, General Merchandise
Manager. Mr. Axelrod also serves on the Boards of Directors of Maidenform Brands, Inc. and Jaclyn, Inc.
David B. Kaplan became one of our directors in March 2007 upon consummation of the March 2007 Merger. Mr. Kaplan is a Senior Partner
in the Private Equity Group of Ares Management. In April 2003, Mr. Kaplan joined Ares from Shelter Capital Partners, LLC. From 1991 to 2000,
Mr. Kaplan was affiliated with, and a Senior Partner of, Apollo Management, L.P., and its affiliates, during which time he completed multiple
private equity investments from origination through exit. Prior to Apollo, Mr. Kaplan was a member of the Investment Banking Department of
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp. Mr. Kaplan currently serves as the Chairman of the Boards of Directors of both Maidenform
Brands, Inc. and TPEP Holdings, Inc. (Tinnerman Palnut Engineered Products), Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Orchard Supply
Hardware Stores Corporation, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of Anchor Blue Retail Group. Mr. Kaplan also serves on the Board
of Governors of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and is a Trustee, Treasurer and Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Center for Early
Education. Mr. Kaplan graduated with High Distinction, Beta Gamma Sigma from the University of Michigan School of Business Administration
with a BBA concentrating in finance.
Jeffrey B. Schwartz became one of our directors in March 2007 upon consummation of the March 2007 Merger. Mr. Schwartz joined Ares
Management in 2004 as Vice President in the Private Equity Group and has been a Principal in the Private Equity Group since 2007. From
2000 to 2004, Mr. Schwartz was an investment banker at Lehman Brothers and prior to that, he was an investment banker at the Wasserstein
Perella Group. Mr. Schwartz also serves on the Boards of Directors of TPEP Holdings, Inc. (Tinnerman Palnut Engineered Products), and
White Energy Inc.
Lino (Lee) Sienna became one of our directors in March 2007 upon consummation of the March 2007 Merger. Since 2002, Mr. Sienna has
been Vice President, Private Capital of Ontario Teachers' 122