GNC 2009 Annual Report Download - page 131

Table of Contents
positions, including Senior Vice President of Human Resources, with Gart Sports. Mr. Chessen began his career with May Department Stores
and held various positions in management, merchandising and human resources positions from 1973 to 1993. He is a graduate of
Northwestern University.
Christine Clark became Senior Vice President of eCommerce in August 2008. From January 2003 to August 2008, Ms. Clark was President/
Founder of MCR Strategies, a multi-faceted consulting company focusing on electronic retailing opportunities. From 2000 to January 2003,
Ms. Clark was Senior Vice President and General Manager of HSN.com, a division of the Home Shopping Network. Prior to 2000, Ms. Clark
held various management positions at Fogdog.com, Vitalcast.com, Coast to Coast Apparel Services, Macy's West and Bloomingdale's NY.
Norman Axelrod became Chairman of our Board of Directors in March 2007 upon consummation of the 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. Mr. Axelrod has worked with Ares Management
LLC as an operating partner since 2007.
Michele J. Buchignani became one of our directors in March 2007 upon consummation of the Merger. Ms. Buchignani has been a Director of
the private equity group of OTPP since 2006 and joined OTPP in 2005 as Portfolio Manager. In 2004, Ms. Buchignani was a consultant to Paul
Capital Partners. From 2000 to 2003, Ms. Buchignani was Head of the Private Equity Funds Group at CIBC World Markets ("CIBC") and was
General Counsel for Canada at CIBC from 1996 to 1999. Previously, Ms. Buchignani was a Partner of the law firm Stikeman Elliott LLP in
Toronto and London. Ms. Buchignani also serves on the Board of Directors of GCan Insurance Company.
Carmen Fortino became one of our directors in July 2007. Mr. Fortino has been Chief Executive Officer of Seroyal International Inc., a
natural pharmaceutical company based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, since May 2007 and also serves on its board of directors. From 2003 to
January 2007, Mr. Fortino held the positions of Executive Vice President-Ontario Region, and Officer for Loblaw Companies Ltd. From 2000 to
2003, Mr. Fortino was Executive Vice President of Zehrmart Limited in Cambridge, Ontario. Prior to 2000, Mr. Fortino held several management
positions for Loblaw Companies Ltd., including Senior Vice President — Supply Chain & Logistics.
Richard D. Innes became one of our directors in July 2007. Mr. Innes was President and Chief Executive Officer of Arbor Memorial Services
Inc., a public company based in Toronto, Ontario, from February 1997 to October 2007. During that period he also served on Arbor's board of
directors. From 1989 to 1996, Mr. Innes was a division president with Toronto-based Ault Foods Limited. Prior to 1989, Mr. Innes held various
senior management positions with Catelli Foods Ltd., Nabisco Brands, Inc., International Playtex, Inc. and Procter & Gamble Co.
David B. Kaplan became one of our directors in March 2007 upon consummation of the Merger. Mr. Kaplan is a Founding Member and
Senior Partner in the Private Equity Group of Ares. 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. Prior to Apollo, Mr. Kaplan was a
member of the Investment Banking Department of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp. Mr. Kaplan currently serves on the boards of
directors of Maidenform Brands, Inc., Stream Global Services, Inc., TPEP Holdings, Inc. (Tinnerman Palnut Engineered Products), Orchard
Supply Hardware Stores Corporation and 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. 125