– USA, TN – Fred’s, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRED), today announced that it has appointed Steven B. Rossi, Chief Executive Officer of Digital First Media, and Timothy A. Barton, former CEO of Freightquote.com, which he founded in 1998, to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.
Today’s announcement follows the recent additions of Linda Longo-Kazanova, Christopher W. Bodine, Peter J. Bocian and Michael K. Bloom, Chief Executive Officer, to the Fred’s Pharmacy Board. As a result of these announcements, following the conclusion of the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders the newly reconstituted Board will be comprised of 9 directors, 8 of whom are independent and all of whom have track records of delivering shareholder value.
Mr. Rossi and Mr. Barton have been added to the Fred’s Pharmacy Board in connection with a Cooperation Agreement between Alden Global Capital LLC, the Company’s largest shareholder, and Fred’s Pharmacy. The Cooperation Agreement contains terms regarding the parties working together for the long-term success of Fred’s Pharmacy.
“We are excited to welcome Steve and Tim to the Fred’s Pharmacy Board of Directors,” said Thomas H. Tashjian, Chairman of the Board. “They add strong business, financial and operational expertise, and their perspectives will be instrumental as we continue the transformation of Fred’s Pharmacy. This includes moving expeditiously to complete the transaction with Walgreens and Rite Aid, pending approval by the Federal Trade Commission, which would make Fred’s Pharmacy the third largest drugstore chain in the nation. We look forward to continuing to work constructively with Alden and all of our shareholders as we focus on executing our strategic plan and delivering value for all Fred’s Pharmacy stakeholders.”
Mr. Bloom said, “I am thrilled to work with Steve, Tim, Alden and the entire Fred’s Pharmacy Board to capture the numerous value-creating opportunities that lie ahead for the Company. I am confident we have the right team in place to advance our new healthcare-focused strategy and drive returns for our shareholders while delivering on our mission to improve the lives of our patients and customers.”
Heath Freeman, President of Alden, commented, “I am pleased with today’s announcement and expect that Tim and Steve will immediately impact and contribute to the Fred’s Board. I, and the rest of the Alden team, look forward to working with Fred’s as we all continue to support and strengthen Fred’s business. Over the past few months, our team has spent considerable time with the Fred’s Pharmacy team. Having seen first-hand the progress that Mike Bloom and his team have made on the execution of the Company’s healthcare strategy, I have great confidence in the future of the business. With the right focus, Fred’s can generate significant free cash flow per share at the existing business; the pending Rite Aid transaction will provide extraordinary growth to Fred’s business and free cash flow.”
“Fred’s Pharmacy is executing on a transformation plan that is gaining momentum,” said Mr. Rossi. “I look forward to helping Fred’s Pharmacy with its compelling opportunities ahead.”
“I am honored to join the talented individuals on the Fred’s Pharmacy Board,” said Mr. Barton. “With its focused mission and first-class management team, I am confident the Company has a bright future.”
About Steven B. Rossi
Steve Rossi brings to the Fred’s Pharmacy Board extensive financial and operations experience. Mr. Rossi is the Chief Executive Officer of Digital First Media, which has more than 300 print and digital products serving over 45 million Americans each month. He previously served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Rossi held several successive management positions over 19 years with Knight Ridder Inc., including Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of Operations and President of the Newspaper Division.
About Timothy A. Barton
Tim Barton joins the Board with a substantial business and technology background and with experience in growing successful companies. Mr. Barton founded Freightquote in 1998, growing it into the largest online freight shipping provider in the United States with $600 million in annual revenue. Mr. Barton served as Chairman and CEO until the company’s sale to C.H. Robinson Worldwide in 2015. Prior to founding Freightquote.com, Mr. Barton was the Co-Founder and President of UWI Association Programs, which grew into Network Long Distance before being acquired by IXC Communications/Broadwing in 1998.
About Alden Global Capital LLC
Alden is a New York based investment firm focused on deep value, catalyst driven investing.
About Fred’s Pharmacy
Tracing its history back to an original store in Coldwater, Mississippi, opened in 1947, today Fred’s Pharmacy is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, and operates 601 pharmacy and general merchandise stores and three specialty pharmacy-only locations, including 14 franchised Fred’s Pharmacy locations. With a unique store format and strategy that combines the best elements of a healthcare-focused drug store with a value-focused retailer, Fred’s Pharmacy stores offer more than 12,000 frequently purchased items that address the healthcare and everyday needs of its customers and patients. This includes nationally recognized brands, proprietary Fred’s Pharmacy label products, and a full range of value-priced selections. The company has two distribution centers, one in Memphis, Tennessee, and Dublin, Georgia.
As previously announced, on December 20, 2016, Fred’s Pharmacy announced that it signed an agreement with Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA) and Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) to purchase 865 stores and certain assets related to store operations located across the eastern and western United States for $950 million in cash. Closing of the transaction is conditioned on the completion of Walgreens Boots Alliance’s proposed acquisition of Rite Aid, approval by the Federal Trade Commission, as well as customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.
For more information : http://www.fredsinc.com
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