Michael Eck, Former Global Head Of Consumer And Retail Investment Banking At Morgan Stanley, Joins The Board Of Directors Of Blue Buffalo

WILTON, Conn., Feb. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Buffalo, the leading natural pet food company, announced today that Michael Eck is joining its Board of Directors. Michael is currently Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the Board of Steer for Student Athletes, an innovative non-profit that provides services for at risk youths. He is also an independent board member of USA Ultimate, the National Governing Body for the sport of Ultimate in the United States. Until recently, Michael was Global Head of the Consumer and Retail Investment Banking Group at Morgan Stanley, and has close to 30 years of experience advising public and private boards, senior management teams, entrepreneur owners and financial sponsors.

"Mike knows what it takes for a company to be successful in both the United States and major international markets and across different retail environments," said Bill Bishop, Founder and Chairman of Blue Buffalo. "The perspective he gained advising some of the leading consumer and retail companies around the world for nearly thirty years will be extremely valuable to the Board as we formulate our future growth and distribution strategies. In addition, Mike's competitive nature and willingness to give back make him a perfect fit with Blue Buffalo's unique culture. A quarterback at the University of Virginia in his undergraduate days and an active endurance athlete today, Mike is dedicated to helping at risk youth use sports to channel their competitive nature in a positive manner."

"I am honored to join the Board of Blue Buffalo, one of the most successful consumer growth companies, which has captured a passionate and enduring consumer following with a power brand delivering quality products, a truly unique culture and an effective business model," said Michael Eck. "In my experience these are the most important pillars to establishing sustainable market advantages and ultimately building a great company. I look forward to working with this team and the other board members on this exciting journey."

About Michael A. Eck

Michael has been a trusted advisor to public and private boards, senior management teams, entrepreneur owners and financial sponsors. Michael built and led the Global Consumer and Retail Investment Banking practice at Morgan Stanley from 2008 until the end of 2014. He led the transformation of the group to one of the leading industry franchises among the global peer set. Prior to this role, he was Global Head of the Consumer and Retail Investment Banking segment at Citigroup, where he spent 15 years. In this role he managed a team of professionals across North America, Latin America, Europe, Japan and Asia. Alongside his banking career, Michael also experienced entrepreneurship directly as he founded and helped grow a health and wellness business, which was later sold.

Currently Michael is Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of Steer for Student Athletes, Inc., a highly innovative non-profit organization whose mission is to partner with school systems and provide services for at risk youths using positive sports experiences as the vehicle to improve outcomes. He was also recently elected as an Independent Director to the board of USA Ultimate, the National Governing Body for the sport of Ultimate in the United States.

Michael received his Masters in Management from Northwestern University and a BS in Business from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.

About Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo, based in Wilton, CT, is the nation's leading natural pet food company, and provides natural foods and treats for dogs and cats under its BLUE Life Protection Formula, BLUE Wilderness, BLUE Basics and BLUE Freedom lines. Paying tribute to its founding mission, the company, through the Blue Buffalo Foundation for Cancer Research, is also a leading sponsor of pet cancer awareness and of critical studies of pet cancer, health, treatment and nutrition at top veterinary medical schools across the United States. For more information about Blue Buffalo, visit the company's website at www.BlueBuffalo.com.

Contact:
Kate Northway
212-601-8241
[email protected]

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SOURCE Blue Buffalo

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