Marbles: The Brain Store Announces the Hiring of Girisha Chandraraj as Chief Executive Officer

CHICAGO, April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Friday April 22^nd, 2016 – Marbles: The Brain Store is pleased to announce the hiring of Girisha Chandraraj as Chief Executive Officer.  

Marbles is a place where brains come to play. The Company provides handpicked and expert-tested products specifically designed to stimulate the brain in a fun and innovative manner. The Company fulfills its mission through a multi-channel platform of stores, catalogs, e-commerce, and wholesale.

Michael Smith, Chief Financial and Operations Officer, and Scott Brown, Co-founder and Chief Merchant, who had been functioning as co-presidents, will report directly to Girisha Chandraraj.

Mike Kazma, Chairman of Marbles' Board of Directors and President of Amzak Capital Management said: "Girisha is an excellent addition to the Marbles team. As a proven leader, veteran marketer, and experienced e-commerce executive, he will continue fueling our growth and channeling the extraordinary energy of our employees." Mario Ciampi, board member of Marbles and Managing Partner of Prentice Capital Management added: "As a longtime customer, Girisha is intimately familiar with our products and passionate about our brand. He will be a great leader and mentor to our brain coaches, as well as a complement to our senior management team led by Michael and Scott."

Mr. Chandraraj mentioned "I am very excited to join the Marbles Team.  I have long enjoyed and respected the brand and to be part of growing the business will be really exciting and personally rewarding."

Mr. Chandraraj was recently SVP Marketing and Chief Digital Officer at Essendant (ESND), a fortune 500 B2B business.  In that capacity he led all marketing and digital functions while being responsible for the company's B2C business, CPO Commerce.  Prior to Essendant, Mr. Chandraraj was EVP Marketing for Blick Art Materials, a multi-channel retailer of Art Supplies.  Mr. Chandraraj has a MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA from Boston University.

About Amzak

Amzak Capital Management is a private investment firm owned by the Kazma family. Originally from Canada but based in the U.S. since 1969, the Kazma's got their start in the cable Television industry. Originally, Amzak focused mainly in the Telecommunications sector, but throughout the past five years it has successfully diversified into a broad range of industries and investment vehicles. Amzak's current portfolio is comprised of direct investments, fixed income instruments, real estate projects, and, to a lesser extent, LP investments. Within its direct investment practice, Amzak looks for opportunities across the capital structure (senior debt, mezzanine, and control and non-control equity). It typically invests $3 to $20 million per debt or minority interest transaction, with notably higher amounts possible for a control transaction either alone or through partnerships with likeminded investors.

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States.

SOURCE Marbles: The Brain Store