President of AHAVA North America Joins Board of Directors

NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Beth Ann Catalano, President of AHAVA North America, a privately held company based in Tel Aviv, Israel, has been named to the AHAVA Board of Directors, effectively immediately.  Having been in her position at AHAVA N.A. since January 2014, Catalano has devised a long-term strategy for brand growth and is concurrently implementing best practices across the US divisions. As an AHAVA Board Member, Catalano will represent the North American business and opportunities through her expertise in leadership, creative direction, and profit management. 

In addition, Catalano will be tasked with determining the orientation of the company's activities and monitoring its implementation, overseeing further strategic direction, governing new paths for the brand's progression, and providing a unique North American market perspective to an International company.   

"I am honored to join the AHAVA Board of Directors," says Catalano.  "AHAVA has tremendous growth opportunities in North America and one of my core initiatives is to change the brand's perception and increase awareness and availability. Because AHAVA is often recognized as a brand tourists discover when traveling to the Dead Sea, we are making great strides in being a competitive and recognized player in the US beauty market."

Catalano is a veteran to the beauty business, having devoted over two decades working for major category players.  Before joining AHAVA N.A., Catalano served as Senior Vice President of Sales, Administration and Education at Steiner Leisure Corporation (STNR), where she oversaw the Bliss, Elemis and Remede portfolios.  It was in this role that she reorganized the brand's retail, wholesale and third-party spa divisions, surpassing profit and revenue expectations.

Prior to the Steiner Leisure Corporation, she co-founded the successful hair care startup, Jonathan Product, breaking numerous retail sales records and winning industry awards by executing a strategy that utilized Bravo's "Blow Out" reality TV show to drive sales, recognition and acclaim.  Catalano's extensive industry understanding includes positions at Shiseido, LVMH Corporation, Unilever and Lancome. Catalano is a graduate of University of Colorado at Boulder. She serves on the GCI Magazine's advisory board and is committed to The Bobby Buecker Memorial Foundation, a philanthropic organization that supports families with children who suffer with cancer. Over the course of her career, Catalano has made appearances as a guest speaker, lecturer and contributing editor for outlets such as ABC, Bloomberg, FOX News and MSNBC.

"I am confident Beth Ann will provide key insight as an AHAVA board member," said Ron Michael, AHAVA's Worldwide Chief Executive Officer.  "Beth Ann's invaluable knowledge of the US Market, combined with her passion, experience and strategic decision-making will help amplify the AHAVA team."

About AHAVA: Founded in 1988, AHAVA Dead Sea Laboratories is driven by a deep passion to unearth the secrets of the revitalizing effects of minerals on the skin. The only cosmetics company indigenous to the Dead Sea region, the Company employs a truly unique scientific approach in its environmentally-conscious research activities. Over the years, this has culminated in the development of a series of premier skincare product lines, renowned internationally for their superior efficacy. AHAVA harvests and formulates the rich natural resources of this magical region in strict compliance with recognized international standards.

SOURCE AHAVA North America