Zale Corporation (NYSE: ZLC), a leading specialty retailer of fine
jewelry in North America, today announced that Matthew W. Appel has been
named Executive Vice President of the company, effective May 27, 2009.
Mr. Appel will become Chief Financial Officer on June 15, 2009, after
the company files its Form 10-Q. In his role as Zale’s new CFO, he will
report to Neal Goldberg, Chief Executive Officer.
“Matt’s broad range of experience in growth and turnaround companies
makes him a great complement to our team,” said Mr. Goldberg. “He is an
experienced operator who has strong leadership and technical skills
combined with deep expertise in strategic financial management. Matt
will play an integral role as we capitalize on the opportunities ahead,
as well as intensify the financial rigor we have brought to the
business. I’d like to thank Cindy Gordon for her service as Interim CFO
and her continuing service as Senior Vice President, Controller. She
remains an important asset to the future success of our company.”
Mr. Appel, age 53, joins Zale from ExlService Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:
EXLS), where he served as Vice President and CFO since 2007. Prior to
ExlService Holdings, Mr. Appel worked for Electronic Data Systems (EDS),
where he joined in 2003 as Vice President, Finance and Administration
BPO. At EDS, he subsequently served as Vice President, BPO Product
Management, with responsibility for strategy and business plan
development, investment prioritization, product lifecycle management and
new product development.
Mr. Appel began his career in 1977 with Arthur Andersen, where he spent
seven years in their audit practice. He later joined Tenneco Inc. where
he served for nine years in various finance leadership roles at their
Newport News Shipbuilding subsidiary and for five years at their
corporate office including establishment and operation of their shared
services business unit. Mr. Appel is a Certified Public Accountant and
Certified Management Accountant. He received a B.A. from Rutgers College
and an M.B.A. from Rutgers University Graduate School of Business.
About Zale Corporation
Zale Corporation is a leading specialty retailer of diamonds and other
jewelry products in North America, operating more than 2,050 retail
locations throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well
as online. Zale Corporation's brands include Zales Jewelers, Zales
Outlet, Gordon's Jewelers, Peoples Jewellers, Mappins Jewellers and
Piercing Pagoda. Zale also operates online at www.zales.com
and www.gordonsjewelers.com.
Additional information on Zale Corporation and its brands is available
at www.zalecorp.com.
Zale Corporation
David Sternblitz, 972-580-5047
Vice President
and Treasurer
or
Rhett Butler, 972-580-5047
Manager of
Investor Relations
