Former CFO Michael W. Hessong Named Interim President and CEO
The board of directors of Heelys, Inc. (NASDAQ: HLYS) has accepted the
resignation of Donald K. Carroll, Heelys' CEO since May 20, 2008,
effective today. Michael W. Hessong was named Interim President and
Chief Executive Officer until the board designates a full-time
replacement. Mr. Hessong formerly served as the company’s Chief
Financial Officer for many years until leaving in May 2008.
Gary Martin, Chairman of the Board, commented that “Mike was one of
Heelys’ initial employees and was a key contributor to the company’s
growth from its infancy. During his tenure, Mike consistently
demonstrated considerable senior leadership and managerial
responsibilities and we are delighted to have him back to assist us
during this period.“
About Heelys, Inc.
Heelys, Inc. designs, markets and distributes innovative, action
sports-inspired products under the HEELYS(R) brand targeted to the youth
market. The Company's primary product, HEELYS-wheeled footwear, is
patented dual purpose footwear that incorporates a stealth, removable
wheel in the heel. HEELYS-wheeled footwear allows the user to seamlessly
transition from walking or running to skating by shifting weight to the
heel. Users can transform HEELYS-wheeled footwear into street footwear
by removing the wheel. HEELYS-wheeled footwear provides users with a
unique combination of fun and style that differentiates it from other
footwear and wheeled sports products.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release and oral statements made from
time to time by representatives of the Company are "forward-looking
statements" for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including in particular,
statements regarding our guidance, outlook for future events, financial
performance, customer demand, growth and profitability. In some cases,
you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as
"subject to," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends,"
"estimates," "may," "will," "should," "can," the negatives thereof,
variations thereon, similar expressions, or discussions of strategy. All
forward-looking statements are based upon management's current
expectations and various assumptions, but they are inherently uncertain,
and the Company may not realize its expectations and the underlying
assumptions may not prove correct. The Company's actual results and the
timing of events could differ materially from those described in or
implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of risks and
uncertainties, including, without limitation, the fact that
substantially all of the Company's net sales are generated by one
product, the Company may not be able to successfully introduce new
product categories, the Company's intellectual property may not restrict
competing products that infringe on its patents from being sold, the
Company's dependence on independent manufacturers, continued changes in
fashion trends and consumer preferences and general economic conditions,
the outcome of lawsuits filed against the Company, which could have a
material adverse effect on us, and additional factors which are detailed
in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including the Risk Factors contained in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K. Investors, potential investors and other readers are urged to
consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking
statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such
forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein
are only made as of the date of this press release and the Company
undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking
statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Heelys, Inc.
Lisa Peterson, 214-390-1831
Chief Financial
Officer
or
Investor Relations:
Integrated Corporate
Relations, Inc.
John Rouleau / Brendon Frey
203-682-8200