 |
 |
 |
Guitar Center, Inc. Adds Messrs. Wm. Christopher Gorog, George Jones and Walter Rossi to the Company's Board of Directors WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 10, 2004--Guitar Center, Inc. (Nasdaq:GTRC) today announced that Messrs. Wm. Christopher Gorog, George Jones and Walter Rossi have been elected to the Company's Board of Directors. In addition, the Company announced that Mr. Robert Eastman has resigned from Guitar Center's Board of Directors, but will continue serving in his role as the Chief Executive Officer of Musician's Friend, the Company's direct response subsidiary. " We are delighted to have Messrs. Gorog, Jones and Rossi join the Guitar Center board of directors," said Larry Thomas, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Guitar Center. "With the addition of these three gentlemen to our board, Guitar Center currently has eight independent board members serving on a board consisting of ten total directors. George and Walter each bring to our board their many years of experience directing large retailing companies. Additionally, the addition of Chris to our board will lend the Company his knowledge and expertise within the music and entertainment industries. We look forward to the future insights and guidance we anticipate Chris, George and Walter will offer the Company. I would also like to thank Rob Eastman for his important contributions over the last three years serving on Guitar Center's board." Mr. Wm. Christopher Gorog currently serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Roxio, Inc., a digital media company. From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Gorog was the President of New Business Development and Executive Vice President of Group Operations for Universal Studios Recreation Group. From 1986 to 1993, Mr. Gorog was the President and Chief Executive Officer of ITC Entertainment Group. Mr. Gorog currently serves as a member of the board of directors of House of Blues, an operator of live music venues. He is also a member of the World Presidents Organization and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Mr. George Jones is President and Chief Executive Officer of Saks Department Store Group and Chief Operating Officer of Saks Incorporated. From 1994 to 2001, Mr. Jones was President of Warner Bros. Worldwide Licensing and Retail. Prior to Warner Bros., Mr. Jones held various executive positions including serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Rose's Stores and Executive Vice President of Target Stores. Mr. Jones currently serves on the board of directors of Saks Incorporated. Currently in retirement, Mr. Walter Rossi most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Home Express, a retailer of home furnishings, from 1996 to 1997. From 1992 to 1996, Mr. Rossi was the Chairman of the Retail Group at Phillips-Van Huesen Corporation, a clothing manufacturing and retail company. Prior to joining Phillips-Van Huesen Corporation, Mr. Rossi served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mervyn's, a department store chain. Mr. Rossi currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. About Guitar Center Guitar Center is the nation's leading retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. We presently operate 126 Guitar Center stores, with 108 stores in 46 major markets and 18 stores in secondary markets across the U.S. In addition, the American Music division operates 19 family music stores specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving thousands of teachers, band directors, college professors and students. Guitar Center is also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the U.S. through our wholly owned subsidiary, Musician's Friend, Inc., and its catalog and web site, www.musiciansfriend.com. More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the Company's web site at www.guitarcenter.com. CONTACT: Guitar Center, Inc.
|