Lawson Products Announces Recent Appointments
DES PLAINES, IL- April 20, 2006 - Lawson Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: LAWS) announced today the promotions of Stewart Howley to Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer and Lisa Kaplan, formerly Director of Corporate Marketing, to Vice President of Marketing. The moves were effective April 17, 2006. Lawson also announced the appointment of Michelle Russell as Vice President of Corporate Affairs, effective April 1, 2006.
Mr. Howley, who joined the Lawson Products Division earlier this year, will be responsible for all corporate marketing endeavors including merchandising. He will also oversee non-agent multi-channel sales and marketing, as well as acquisition and new market development.
"Stewart's extensive industry experience in marketing, distribution, supply chain management, and strategic planning provide the ideal background for this new position," said Thomas Neri, Executive Vice President, Finance, Planning & Corporate Development for Lawson Products.
Ms. Kaplan, who came to Lawson in 2003, will continue to direct the expanding government sales and web initiatives as Vice President of Marketing for the Lawson Family of Businesses.
"Lisa is a proven, results-oriented marketing professional whose contributions have greatly expanded our marketing capabilities," Mr. Neri said.
Ms. Russell, who has served as a consultant to Lawson Products, will formally join Lawson Products as Vice President of Corporate Affairs. She will also participate in the Marketing and Merchandising Council and lead the newly formed Supply Chain Management Council.
"During the past three months, Michelle demonstrated her competency by handling several challenging projects with positive results," said Jeff Belford, President and Chief Operating Officer, Lawson Products, Inc.
Mr. Howley brings a broad background in marketing management, distribution and supply chain services as well as new business development and strategic planning to Lawson Products. Prior to joining the Lawson Family of Businesses, his most recent position was director of industrial strategic business development for a multi-billion dollar U.S. hardware and home services supply corporation. He was raised and educated in the U.K. and received his BA in Marketing from Halton College in England.
Ms. Kaplan is an accomplished professional in marketing and sales development for products and services targeted to the global marketplace. Previously, she worked as Director of Marketing at Loral Skynet, a division of Loral Space and Communications. In addition, her experience includes positions in marketing consultancy, public relations and strategic planning across several business sectors. Ms. Kaplan earned a BA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and a Master of Arts in International Affairs /East Asian Studies from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Ms. Russell recently held roles as Vice President of Operations at Associated Materials, as a strategic engagement consultant for i2 Technologies and as a Manager for Global Logistics Planning at Ford Motor Company. She received an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and two master's degrees- MBA and MSE (Masters of Science in Engineering)- from the University of Michigan.
Lawson Products is an international leader in seller and distribution systems, services and products to the industrial, commercial and institutional maintenance, repair and replacement market. The Company also manufacturers, sells and distributes production and specialized component parts to the original equipment marketplace, including the automotive, appliance, aerospace, construction and transportation industries.
For more information, please visit www.lawsonproducts.com.
Contact: Tom Neri
(847) 827-9666, ext. 2203
