Big Lots 2009 Annual Report Download - page 20

- 5 -
Jeffrey P. Berger is the former Executive Vice President, Global Foodservice, and President and Chief Executive
Officer of Heinz North America Foodservice (manufacturer and marketer of processed food products). The Board
would be well served by the perspective provided by Mr. Berger’s 14 years of experience as a chief executive of a
multibillion dollar company and his qualification as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by applicable
SEC rules.
Steven S. Fishman is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Big Lots. Before joining us
in July 2005, Mr. Fishman served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Restructuring Officer
of Rhodes, Inc. (furniture retailer that filed for bankruptcy on November 4, 2004); the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Frank’s Nursery & Crafts, Inc. (lawn and garden specialty retailer that filed for bankruptcy
on September 8, 2004); and the President and Founder of SSF Resources, Inc. (investment and consulting).
Mr. Fishman’s strong leadership skills, proven management capabilities, and more than 35 years of diverse retail
experience with discount, specialty and department store retailers, including 24 years of experience in a senior
executive role, make Mr. Fishman an excellent choice to continue serving on the Board.
Peter J. Hayes is the former Chief Operating Officer of Variety Wholesalers, Inc. (retailer). Mr. Hayes also
previously served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (retailer); and the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Gold Circle / Richway divisions of Federated Department Stores, Inc.
(retailer). Mr. Hayes’ experience in discount retail and his leadership experience at large corporations make him
well-suited to serve on the Board.
David T. Kollat is the President and Founder of 22, Inc. (research and management consulting). Mr. Kollat is
also currently a director of Limited Brands, Inc. (where he is a member of the compensation committee and the
finance committee), Select Comfort Corporation (where he is a member of the compensation committee and the
corporate governance and nominating committee), and Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (where he is the lead director
and a member of the compensation committee). Mr. Kollat’s experience in retail and marketing, leadership
skills, extensive service on the boards of other public companies, and his advanced academic degrees in business
administration led to the conclusion that he would continue to be a valuable member of the Board.
Brenda J. Lauderback is the former President – Wholesale Group of Nine West Group, Inc. (retail and wholesale
footwear). Ms. Lauderback also previously served as the President – Footwear Wholesale of U.S. Shoe Corporation
(retail and wholesale footwear); and the Vice President, General Merchandise Manager of Dayton Hudson
Corporation (retail stores). Ms. Lauderback is also currently a director of Denny’s Corporation (where she is a
member of the compensation and incentives committee and the corporate governance and nominating committee),
Select Comfort Corporation (where she is the chair of the corporate governance and nominating committee),
and Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (where she is the chair of the governance committee and a member of the audit
committee). Ms. Lauderback previously served as a director of Irwin Financial Corporation. In addition to her
extensive service on the boards of other public companies, Ms. Lauderback’s experience in leadership roles of other
retailers make her well-suited to continue serving on the Board.
Philip E. Mallott is an independent financial consultant and a retail stock analyst at Coker & Palmer (securities
brokerage services). Mr. Mallott previously served as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Intimate
Brands, Inc. (retail stores). Mr. Mallott previously served as a director of Tween Brands, Inc. Mr. Mallott’s
qualification as an “audit committee financial expert,” his experience as a certified public accountant, his service
on the boards of other public companies and charitable organizations, and his experience in leadership roles of
other retailers led to the conclusion that he would continue to be a valuable member of the Board.
Russell Solt is the former Director of Investor Relations of West Marine, Inc. (specialty retailer and catalog
company), where he also previously served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Additionally, Mr. Solt previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of Venture Stores, Inc. (discount retailer)
and Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (specialty retailer). Mr. Solt’s experience as a certified public accountant and as the
Chief Financial Officer of other publicly-traded retailers, his background in investor relations and his qualification
as an “audit committee financial expert,” makes him well-suited to continue serving on the Board.