CRESSKILL, N.J., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smart Balance, Inc. , maker of Smart Balance(R) and Earth Balance(R) heart-healthy food products and other established brands, has appointed James Leighton and Michael O'Brien to its board of directors.
Leighton, assigned to the Compensation Committee, will serve for one year with his term expiring in May 2008. He has more than 15 years of senior level experience in the food industry. Currently, he is the senior vice president of operations and supply chain for Perdue Poultry Company. Leighton has played a central role in re-organizing Perdue's supply chain and operations group. Throughout his career, he has driven significant improvements in effectiveness and efficiencies across operations and the supply chain for companies such as Perdue Farms, ConAgra Foods and Nabisco.
"Jim's extensive supply chain experience is a key addition as we look to build on our virtual company model by expanding into a range of new categories utilizing a sourcing model where we utilize co-packers' assets," said Stephen B. Hughes, chairman and chief executive officer, Smart Balance, Inc.
Leighton graduated from the Keller Graduate School of Management in Chicago, Ill. where he earned his master's of business administration. Leighton also is a graduate of the University of Iowa, where he received a bachelor's degree in business administration and industrial relations.
O'Brien, assigned to the Governance and Nominating Committee, will serve for two years with his term expiring at the 2009 shareholders' meeting. O'Brien co-founded Catalina Marketing Corporation, a direct marketing company, in 1983 and served as Catalina's president until 1989 and as chairman of the board and chief executive officer until 1992. Since then, O'Brien has been chairman emeritus of and a consultant to Catalina and currently sits on its board of directors. Catalina was founded to develop and distribute behavior- based communications for consumer packaged goods and pharmaceutical products manufacturers, marketers and retailers. Catalina is now a global leader in behavior-based, targeted-marketing services and programs offered through a variety of distribution channels, including discount coupons, loyalty marketing programs, informative newsletters, sampling, advertising, in-store instant-win games and other incentives that are delivered directly to shoppers by various methods.
"Mike brings deep experience as a successful entrepreneur to the Smart Balance Board," said Hughes. "As one of the founders of Catalina Marketing, Mike's had an exceptional track record of creating shareholder value."
O'Brien is a graduate of the University of Kansas, where he earned his bachelor's degree in marketing.
About Smart Balance, Inc.
Smart Balance, Inc. is one of the five fastest growing food companies in the United States, according to Nielsen sales figures. The company's products include Smart Balance (R) branded buttery spreads, peanut butter, popcorn, and bottled oils, cooking sprays and cheese slices and shreds.
Smart Balance (R) and Earth Balance (R) heart-healthy food products were acquired in May 2007 by Boulder Specialty Brands, Inc., which purchased GFA Holdings, Inc., the owner of GFA Brands, Inc. Shareholders voted to rename the combined company Smart Balance, Inc. with GFA Brands, Inc. continuing as the company's wholly owned operating subsidiary. For additional information, please visit http://www.smartbalance.com/.
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