Attached files
| file | filename |
|---|---|
| 8-K - ROCKY BRANDS, INC. | v205974_8k.htm |
Exhibit 99
| ROCKY BRANDS, INC. | ||
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Company
Contact:
|
Jim McDonald | |
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|
Chief Financial Officer | |
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(740)
753-1951
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Investor
Relations:
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ICR, Inc. | |
|
|
Brendon
Frey
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(203)
682-8200
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ROCKY
BRANDS, INC. ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP SUCCESSION PLAN
David
Sharp to be Promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer
Mike
Brooks to Remain as Executive Chairman of the Board
NELSONVILLE,
Ohio, December 16, 2010 – Rocky Brands, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCKY) today announced that
it will implement the Company’s leadership succession plan by promoting
President and Chief Operating Officer David Sharp, age 55, to President and
Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2011. Current Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board Mike Brooks, age 64, will continue
to serve as Executive Chairman of the Board.
“I am
very pleased that David Sharp has been chosen to be our next President and Chief
Executive Officer,” commented Mr. Brooks. “Having worked together for more than
a decade, I’m very familiar with his many strengths and capabilities and I’m
extremely confident that he is the right person for the job. With
David taking over the day to day responsibilities of running the Company, I will
have more time to focus on our longer-term strategic goals and to work with our
key customers, vendors, investors, and other stakeholders. I look
forward to working closely with David over the next six months to ensure a
smooth transition. I am also excited about my new role and believe we
have the right pieces in place to build our market position in the years to
come.”
David
Sharp, age 55, joined Rocky Brands in June 2000 and has served as President and
Chief Operating Officer since January 2005. He was elected to the
Board of Directors in May 2010. Prior to that Mr. Sharp held increasing
positions of responsibility with the Company, serving as Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer (March 2002 - January 2005), Senior Vice
President - Sales and Operations (June 2001 - March 2002), Vice President of
Sales and Marketing (October 2000 - June 2001), and Vice President of
Manufacturing Operations and Marketing (June 2000 - October
2000). Mr. Sharp has been engaged in the footwear industry for his
entire career. Prior to joining Rocky Brands, Mr. Sharp held various
senior management, sales and marketing positions with H.H. Brown, Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire-Hathaway Inc., Acme Boot Co., and Converse,
Inc.
Mr.
Brooks added that "David has played an important role in diversifying the
Company’s product lines and distribution channels, restructuring the retail
division, and overseeing international expansion initiatives. He has
been actively engaged in virtually every aspect of the Company's business over
the past 10 years, and is very well regarded by our associates, customers and
vendors."
“I am
honored to serve as steward of Rocky Brands,” said Mr. Sharp. “Mike has
accomplished an incredible amount during his 35 year career with the Company,
including the past 18 years as Chief Executive Officer of Rocky as a public
company. Under Mike’s leadership Rocky has evolved into an innovative
leader in the footwear industry that today operates an exciting portfolio of
well recognized brands. I am excited to continue collaborating with Mike as we
write the next chapter in this Company’s long and storied history.”
About Rocky Brands,
Inc.
Rocky
Brands, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium quality
footwear and apparel marketed under a portfolio of well recognized brand names
including Rocky®, Georgia Boot®, Durango®, Lehigh®, and the licensed brands
Michelin® and Mossy Oak®.
Safe
Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995
This
press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be
covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Those statements include, but may
not be limited to, all statements regarding intent, beliefs, expectations,
projections, forecasts, and plans of the Company and its management, and include
statements in this press release regarding the promotion of Mr. Sharp to
President and Chief Executive Officer effective July 1, 2011 and the transition
to new leadership. These forward-looking statements involve numerous
risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the various risks
inherent in the Company’s business as set forth in periodic reports filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s annual report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (filed March 2, 2010) and the
Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010
(filed May 3, 2010), June 30, 2010 (filed August 3, 2010), and September 30,
2010 (filed October 28, 2010). One or more of these factors have
affected historical results, and could in the future affect the Company’s
businesses and financial results in future periods and could cause actual
results to differ materially from plans and projections. Therefore there can be
no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release
will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in
the forward-looking statements included herein, the Company, or any other person
should not regard the inclusion of such information as a representation that the
objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. All forward-looking
statements made in this press release are based on information presently
available to the management of the Company. The Company assumes no obligation to
update any forward-looking statements.