DRAPER, Utah, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
1-800 CONTACTS, INC. (Nasdaq: CTAC), today announced that Scott Tanner, Chief
Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has decided to leave the
company in order to explore a range of career possibilities and personal
interests. "Scott has been instrumental in our growth from a small private
company to the global public organization we are today," said Jonathan Coon,
Chief Executive Officer. "We wish him the best in whatever he chooses to do
next."
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990917/1800CONTACTS )
Jonathan Coon, Chief Executive Officer, will temporarily assume the role
of domestic Chief Operating Officer. Rob Hunter, Vice President of Finance,
will assume the title of interim Chief Financial Officer while the company
conducts a search to fill that position. Mr. Hunter has been with the company
since before its initial public offering in February, 1998.
The company also announced the appointment of Graham Mullis as President,
1-800 CONTACTS International Operations. Mr. Mullis' primary responsibilities
will begin with Clear Lab Ltd, the Company's Singapore based manufacturing
operation. Prior to joining 1-800 CONTACTS, Mr. Mullis was Managing Director
of the Eyecare division of Biocompatibles International Plc. Before joining
Biocompatibles in 1996, Mr. Mullis held senior management positions with
Hoechst Roussel and RP Scherer, both large European pharmaceutical
manufacturers.
As Managing Director of Biocompatibles Eyecare, Mr. Mullis successfully
acquired and integrated Hydron Ltd, led the first period of sustained
profitability for the Group and managed its successful merger with
CooperVision. Mr. Mullis was also responsible for developing Proclear
Compatibles, the company's flagship product and for the creation of the
world-class manufacturing site based in Norfolk, Virginia. With total sales
of $75 million and offices in more than 10 countries, the business was sold to
Cooper Vision Inc. last year for $105 million.
Jonathan Coon, Chief Executive Officer said, "In 2002, we acquired a
contact lens manufacturer, two mail order companies and reached an agreement
with Johnson & Johnson to become an authorized retailer. We want to make sure
we have the necessary resources on our team to realize the opportunities
ahead. We are excited to add Graham's considerable international business
experience. His successful track record of launching new, innovative products
and managing manufacturing operations will serve us well with our
manufacturing facility in Singapore. We have retained Christian and Timbers
to advise on further additions to our senior management team."
1-800 CONTACTS offers consumers an attractive alternative for obtaining
replacement contact lenses in terms of convenience, price and speed of
delivery. Through its easy-to-remember, toll-free telephone number,
"1-800-CONTACTS" (1-800-266-8228), and its Internet web site,
http://www.contacts.com , the Company sells all of the most popular brands of contact
lenses. High volume, cost-efficient operations enable 1-800 CONTACTS to offer
products at competitive prices while delivering a high level of customer
service.
This news release contains forward-looking statements about the Company's
future business prospects. These statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may
cause future results to differ materially from the Company's current
expectations include, among others: general economic conditions, the health of
the contact lens industry, inventory acquisition and management, manufacturing
issues, integration of IGEL, integration of Lens Express and Lens First,
exchange rate fluctuations, advertising spending and effectiveness,
unanticipated delays or difficulty certifying with Vistakon requirements, and
regulatory considerations.
SOURCE 1-800 CONTACTS, INC.
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Related links:
http://www.contacts.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990917/1800CONTACTS
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840
CONTACT:
Jonathan C. Coon, Chief Executive Officer,
+1-801-924-9800, or Rob Hunter, Interim Chief Financial Officer,
+1-801-924-9802, investors@contacts.com, both of 1-800 CONTACTS,
INC.
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