Brookstone appoints William E. Watts as Executive Chairman

MERRIMACK, N.H., May 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Brookstone, Inc., the innovative product development company and multi-channel specialty retailer, announced today the appointment of William E. Watts as the Company's new Executive Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Mr. Watts has been a Partner of J.W. Childs Associates since June 2001.  Previously, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of GNC from 1991 until 2001. Prior to being named President and Chief Executive Officer in 1991, Mr. Watts held the positions of President and Chief Operating Officer of General Nutrition, President and Chief Operating Officer of General Nutrition Center, Senior Vice President of Retailing and Vice President of Retail Operations. Mr. Watts currently serves as non-executive Chairman of the Board of Mattress Firm and The Tile Shop and as executive Chairman of Joseph Abboud.  Mr. Watts was also non-executive Chairman of the Board of Murray's Discount Auto Stores, EmployBridge, and Fitness Quest as well as a director of Equinox and Bass Pro Shops.  Mr. Watts holds a B.A. degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Brookstone also announced the appointment of James M. Speltz, the Company's President and CEO, as a Director of the Company, and the resignation of Jackson Tai as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Company.  Mr. Tai will remain a member of the Company's Board of Directors.

Commenting on Bill Watt's appointment, Tai said, "The Board of Directors is pleased that fellow board member and national retailing leader Bill Watts has agreed to take on a more active role with Brookstone.  He brings unmatched retailing experience and insight to Brookstone as an iconic multi-channel specialty retailer.  We look forward to working with Bill, our President and CEO Jim Speltz, and the rest of the management team to further strengthen the Brookstone brand and continue the significant progress made over the past several years." 

About Brookstone

Brookstone, Inc. is an innovative product development and specialty lifestyle retail company that currently operates 263 Brookstone branded stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico. Typically located in high-traffic regional shopping malls and airports, the stores feature unique and innovative consumer products. The Company also operates an e-Commerce channel that includes the Brookstone catalog and the Brookstone website at http://www.brookstone.com as well as an alternative distribution channel that includes sales to select resellers and corporate partners. 

Pauline Collins
Media Relations
603.880.9500
[email protected]

James M. Speltz
President and Chief Executive Officer

SOURCE Brookstone, Inc.