Ira D. Kaplan has served as a director of our company since May 2008. Mr. Kaplan served as Chief Financial Officer of Claire’s Stores Inc. from 1990 to April 2008 and served as a member of the Board of Directors of Claire’s Stores until it was acquired in May 2007. Mr. Kaplan joined Claire’s Stores in 1987 and served in various financial capacities prior to being appointed its Chief Financial Officer in 1990. From 1982 to 1987, Mr. Kaplan practiced at Peat Marwick (now KPMG).
Ann S. Lieff has served as a director since May 2010. Since 1998, Ms. Lieff has served as president of The Lieff Company, a business consulting firm she founded. Prior to this, Ms. Lieff was the president and chief executive officer of Spec’s Music, a publicly-held regional retail chain founded in 1948. Ms. Lieff is a member of the board of directors of Hastings Entertainment, a multimedia entertainment retailer, and Birks & Mayors, a jewelry designer and retailer, and the Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund.
Maureen A. McGuire has served as a director of our company since December 2008. In May 2009, Ms. McGuire joined Bloomberg LP as Chief Marketing Officer. Prior to this, Ms. McGuire served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Sears Holding Corporation from October 2005 to August 2008. Prior to joining Sears, Ms. McGuire spent over thirty years at International Business Machines Corporation, most recently as Vice President, Worldwide Strategy and Marketing, IBM Systems and Technology Group from January 2005 to September 2005. Previously she served as IBM’s Vice President, Worldwide Marketing and Strategy, IBM Global Services from August 2003 to January 2005.
Aubrey B. Patterson has served as a director of our company since April 2004. Since 1990, Mr. Patterson has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BancorpSouth, Inc., and prior to this, was President and Chief Operating Officer of BancorpSouth. Mr. Patterson also serves on the Board of Directors of BancorpSouth.
Alan G. Schwartz has served as a director of our company since May 2008. Since 1987, Mr. Schwartz has been a Professor of Law at the Yale Law School and a Professor at the Yale School of Management. Mr. Schwartz also serves on the Board of Directors of Cliffs Natural Resources Co.
Ralph P. Scozzafava joined Furniture Brands in 2007 where he currently serves as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to Furniture Brands, Mr. Scozzafava worked for the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, where he held several executive positions, including: Vice President, Worldwide Commerical Operations and Vice President and Managing Director, North America/Pacific.
James M. Zimmerman has served as a director since May 2010. In 2004, Mr. Zimmerman retired from Federated Department Stores, Inc. where he served as Chairman of the Board from February 2003 until January 2004, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from May 1997 to February 2003, and as President and Chief Operating Officer from March 1988 to May 1997. Mr. Zimmerman is also a director of The Chubb Corporation and Fossil, Inc.
Dr. George E. Ross has served as a director of our company since September 2010. In March 2010, Dr. Ross was appointed president of Central Michigan University. He began his career as a Certified Public Accountant and held positions in corporate and nonprofit finance and management prior to his work in higher education. Before assuming the Central Michigan University presidency, Dr. Ross served as President of Alcorn State University located in Mississippi and held executive leadership positions at Clark Atlanta University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Tuskegee University.