GNC 2011 Annual Report Download - page 129

Table of Contents
consulting entity, NAX 18, LLC, has provided consulting services to certain entities related to Ares Management LLC ("Ares Management"), an alternative
asset management investment firm. Mr. Axelrod earned a BS in Management and Marketing from Lehigh University and an MBA from New York
University. Mr. Axelrod's experience on the board of directors of a variety of companies, in addition to his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Linens 'n
Things, Inc., demonstrate his leadership capability and extensive knowledge of complex operational and management issues, and led to the conclusion that he
should serve as a director on our board.
Andrew Claerhout became one of our directors in July 2009. Mr. Claerhout is currently a Vice President of Teachers' Private Capital ("TPC"), the
private equity arm of OTPP. Mr. Claerhout joined TPC in 2005 from EdgeStone Capital Partners. Previously, Mr. Claerhout worked at Pacific Equity Partners
in Australia and Bain & Company in Canada and in Hong Kong. Mr. Claerhout has been involved in a number of private equity transactions across various
industries while at TPC. Mr. Claerhout currently sits on the board of AOT Bedding (Serta), Easton-Bell Sports, Exal, Munchkin and Simmons Bedding
Company. Mr. Claerhout received an HBA degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and has completed the
Stanford Executive Program at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Mr. Claerhout's years of experience in mergers and acquisitions,
corporate finance, and the retail and consumer products industries led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director on our board.
Carmen Fortino became one of our directors in July 2007. Mr. Fortino served as Chief Executive Officer of Seroyal International Inc., a natural
pharmaceutical company based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, from May 2007 until its acquisition on December 31, 2010. Prior to December 31, 2010, he served
as Managing Director and a member of the board of directors of Lifelong Nutrition, Inc. From 2003 to January 2007, Mr. Fortino held the positions of
Executive Vice President-Ontario Region, and Officer for Loblaw Companies Ltd., a Canadian food retailer. 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. Mr. Fortino's extensive experience in the retail and health and wellness related industries and
his understanding of our business led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director on our board.
Michael F. Hines became one of our directors in November 2009. Mr. Hines was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Dick's
Sporting Goods, Inc., a sporting goods retailer, from 1995 to March 2007. From 1990 to 1995, he held management positions with Staples, Inc., most recently
as Vice President, Finance. Earlier, he spent 12 years in public accounting, the last eight years with the accounting firm Deloitte & Touche, LLP in Boston.
Since 2007, Mr. Hines has served on the Board of TJX Companies. Previously he served on the Board of Yankee Candle, Inc. from 2003 to 2007, when the
company went private. Mr. Hines's experience as a financial executive and certified public accountant, coupled with his extensive knowledge of financial
reporting rules and regulations, evaluating financial results and generally overseeing the financial reporting process of a large retailer, led to the conclusion
that he should serve as a director on our board.
David B. Kaplan became one of our directors in February 2007 in connection with the Merger. Mr. Kaplan is a founding member and Senior Partner of
Ares Management where he serves on the Executive Committee and co-heads the Ares Private Equity Group. Mr. Kaplan joined Ares Management from
Shelter Capital Partners, LLC, where he was a Senior Principal from June 2000 to April 2003. From 1991 through 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 Management, L.P., Mr. Kaplan was a member of the Investment Banking Department at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp.
Mr. Kaplan currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of FDO Holdings, Inc., the
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