Christine Bell to Retire as COO of The Boyds Collection.Business Editors GETTYSBURG, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2004 The Boyds Collection, Ltd. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :FOB FOB 1) adj. short for Free on Board, meaning shipped to a specific place without cost. 2) Friend of Bill (Clinton). (See: Free on Board) ) today announced the retirement of Chief Operating Officer Chief Operating Officer (COO) The officer of a firm responsible for day-to-day management, usually the president or an executive vice-president. Christine Bell, a 12-year veteran of the Company. "Chris leaves an important legacy at Boyds," said Jan L. Murley, Chief Executive Officer. "Everyone at Boyds greatly values the leadership and direction Chris provided throughout her tenure. She has led important efforts to increase operating capabilities to support aggressive growth, reduce costs, and extend the brand into a unique entertainment retail operation, Boyds Bear Country." "Chris' leadership has been instrumental in making retail an important new growth engine for Boyds going forward," said Scott Stuart, a Member of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (commonly referred to as KKR) is a New York City-based private equity firm that focuses primarily on late-stage leveraged buyouts. It was founded in 1976 by Jerome Kohlberg, Jr., and cousins Henry Kravis and George R. & Co., Boyds' majority shareholder, and a Director of the Company. Chris joined Boyds in 1992 as Controller, and subsequently held financial and operating positions of increasing responsibility. She was elected Chief Operating Officer in 1997 and had overall responsibility for operations, systems and retail development, and has been a member of the Company's executive management committee. The position of Chief Operating Officer will not be filled. The Boyds Collection, Ltd. is a leading domestic designer, importer, and distributor of high-quality, branded giftware products. The company sells its products through a large and diverse network comprised of independent gift and collectibles retailers, premier department stores This is a list of department stores. In the case of department store groups the location of the flagship store is given. This list does not include large specialist stores, which sometimes resemble department stores. , selected catalogue retailers and other electronic and retail channels. More recently, the company launched its first retail operation, Boyds Bear Country, a unique entertainment and retail experience in Gettysburg, PA. Founded in 1979, it has successfully developed a strong niche and brand identity in its markets because of its affordably priced, high quality, "Folksy folk·sy adj. folk·si·er, folk·si·est Informal 1. Simple and unpretentious in behavior. 2. Characterized by informality and affability: a friendly, folksy town. 3. With Attitude(SM)" products. |
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