July 28, 1999 08:19
Cyberian Outpost Augments Board of Directors with
Former Chairman and CEO of Avon Products, James E.
Preston and Former Intuit Executive, William H. Lane
III
KENT, Conn., July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Cyberian Outpost Inc. (Nasdaq: COOL), a
leading global Internet retailer of computer hardware, software and accessories,
today announced the election of James E. Preston, 66, and William H. Lane III, 60,
to the Company's Board of Directors.
"Jim and Bill make terrific additions to our Board," said Darryl Peck, President and
CEO of Cyberian Outpost. "Jim's vast experience with building the Avon brand and
its consumer marketing programs will be invaluable. Bill's broad background in the
software, hardware and Internet industries will support our efforts as we launch an
aggressive business development program to further solidify our position as a
leader in the increasingly complex and competitive e-commerce environment."
James E. Preston is the former Chairman of the Board and CEO of Avon Products,
Inc., the world's largest direct seller of beauty and related products. He served as
the company's Chairman from 1989 to May 1999 and as Chief Executive Officer
from 1989 to June 1998. During his tenure, Mr. Preston refocused Avon's corporate
identity and marketing strategy and led the company through ten consecutive
years of increased sales and earnings, growing sales from $3.3 billion in 1989 to
$5.2 billion in 1999 and earnings from $55 million to $270 million. Mr. Preston is
currently a director for several companies, including ARAMARK Corporation,
Venator Group, Reader's Digest Association, and Project Hope, and is a member
of the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army of Greater New York. He also serves
as Chairman of the World Federation of Direct Selling Association, whose
membership accounts for worldwide business in excess of $61 billion in 120
countries.
William H. Lane served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and
Treasurer of Intuit, Inc., the industry leader in personal and small business finance
software, from 1994 to 1996. While at Intuit, Mr. Lane was involved in several key
acquisitions, the synergies of which helped to drive Intuit's sales up 344%, from
$121.4 million in 1994 to $538.6 million in 1996. He served in a similar capacity at
ChipSoft Inc, a tax preparation software company acquired by Intuit in 1993. Mr.
Lane's other business experience includes executive and management positions
with Honeywell Information Systems and General Electric, as well as participation
in numerous equity and debt financings, mergers and acquisitions. He is a director
of several computer and Internet related businesses, including Aspect Technology
Inc., International Microcomputer Software Inc., MetaCreations Corporation, and
Digital Think Corporation, and a member of the Advisory Board of COVAD
Communications. Mr. Lane is presently President of Canyon Vista, a management
consulting company.
About Cyberian Outpost
A leader in global e-commerce since 1995, Cyberian Outpost, operates an Internet
only superstore for computer related products from its Web site Outpost.com
(www.outpost.com), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Outpost.com provides
consumers and small businesses with superior selection, renowned customer
service, quick, easy search capabilities, and product information on over 160,000
hardware, software, and accessory products at competitive prices. As part of its
TruePrice policy, Cyberian Outpost offers free overnight shipping to all U.S.
customers and provides international consumers with reasonably priced shipping
alternatives. The company's auction site, OutpostAuctions
(www.outpostauctions.com) allows customers to bid on a selection of computer
products.
SOURCE Cyberian Outpost Inc.
/CONTACT: Janice Simoncelli of Cyberian Outpost, 860-927-8609,
jsimoncelli@outpost.com; Andrea Kaimowitz, Cheryl Olson,
colson@morgenwalke.com, or Media: Evan Goetz all of Morgen-Walke
Associates,
212-850-5600, for Cyberian Outpost/
/Web site: outpost.com
(COOL) |
