Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) today announced the appointment of Gérard
R. Vittecoq to its board of directors. Vittecoq, a group president of
Caterpillar, Inc., will be a Class 1 director with a term expiring in
2010.
“Gérard is an
accomplished leader with a solid record of achievement. He is
intelligent, has sound judgment and impeccable integrity –
the hallmarks of an excellent director,” said
Richard M. Schulze, Best Buy’s founder and
chairman. ”Gérard’s
international management experience and financial expertise will greatly
benefit Best Buy as we continue on our path to deliver great experiences
to customers in different parts of the world.”
Vittecoq joined Caterpillar in 1975 and held various accounting and
finance positions at Caterpillar's Vernon foundry in his first six years
with the company. In 1982, he was appointed finance representative and
later assistant manager at Caterpillar Overseas S.A. (COSA). In 1985, he
became comptroller for COSA. From 1987 to 1990, he was in charge of
strategy projects and was appointed director of Strategy & Planning in
1990. In 1995, he was promoted to managing director of Caterpillar
France S.A. In 1997, Vittecoq became managing director of Caterpillar
Belgium S.A. He was elected a vice president in January 2001, overseeing
the Europe Africa Middle East Product Development & Operations Division.
In Jan. 2004, the Caterpillar Board of Directors named Vittecoq group
president. Today, he has responsibility for the company’s
EAME Marketing and Operations Divisions, Marine, Petroleum and Electric
Power Divisions, and Caterpillar Production System Division.
Vittecoq has a master’s degree from Ecole Supérieure
of Commerce (Rouen, France) and received an MBA from Laval University
(Canada). He also successfully completed the Executive Program in
International Management at Columbia University. Vittecoq also earned
public accountant certification in France (no longer current).
Vittecoq is a member of the IMD (International Institute for Management
Development) Foundation Board, a member of the Evian Group: Free Trade
Think Tank, an executive member of the World Business Council for
Sustainable Development and a vice president of the Board of the
Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce.
The company’s shareholders will be asked to
ratify the appointment of Vittecoq to the Best Buy board of directors at
the next regular meeting of shareholders.
About Best Buy Co., Inc.
With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and China, Best
Buy is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment products
and services with a commitment to growth and innovation. The Best Buy
family of brands and partnerships collectively generates more than $40
billion annual revenue and includes brands such as Best Buy,
Audiovisions, The Carphone Warehouse, Future Shop, Geek Squad, Jiangsu
Five Star, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath Centers,
The Phone House and Speakeasy. Approximately 165,000 employees apply
their talents to help bring the benefits of these brands to life for
customers through retail locations, multiple call centers and Web sites,
in-home solutions, product delivery and activities in our communities.
Community partnership is central to the way we do business at Best Buy.
In fiscal 2008, we donated a combined $31.8 million to improve the
vitality of the communities where our employees and customers live and
work. For more information about Best Buy, visit www.bestbuy.com.
Best Buy Co., Inc.
Media Contacts:
Susan Busch,
612-291-6114
Director of Corporate PR
susan.busch@bestbuy.com
or
Nissa
French, 612-291-6216
Public Relations
Nissa.french@bestbuy.com
or
Investor
Contacts:
Jennifer Driscoll, 612-291-6110
Vice President
of Investor Relations
jennifer.driscoll@bestbuy.com
or
Wade
Bronson, 612-291-5693
Director of Investor Relations
wade.bronson@bestbuy.com
