Donald J. Anderson Joins Leslie's Poolmart Inc. as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Business Wire, May 1, 2000

Business Editors

CHATSWORTH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2000

Leslie's Poolmart Inc. today announced the appointment of Donald J. Anderson as executive vice president and chief financial officer.

"Don's extensive retail background and his proven record of accomplishments will be an outstanding addition to the Leslie's team," stated Lawrence H. Hayward, president and chief executive officer. "We are very fortunate to add someone of Don's talent and experience to our organization. His ability to enhance our retail systems and controls will play a key role in moving our company forward."

Anderson joins Leslie's from the Follett Higher Education Group, a $1.2 billion retailer with headquarters in Oak Brook, Ill., where he served as senior vice president and chief financial officer. Follett is the largest operator of university and college bookstores in the nation.

Prior to joining Follett, Anderson served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Carr Gottstein Foods Co., Alaska's largest food and drug retailer.

His diverse background includes more than 23 years of experience in positions of increased responsibility at Buttrey Food and Drug, Great Falls, Mont., and American Stores Co., Salt Lake City. These positions include store management, director of financial reporting, corporate controller and vice president, distribution.

While at American Stores, he worked on the financial portion of the "Delta Project," a multimillion-dollar re-engineering effort installing industry best practices and benchmarking.

"I am excited to be joining the Leslie's team," said Anderson. "The company's leadership position and sales growth have great potential, and I am eager to become part of such a terrific group."

Founded in 1963, Leslie's Poolmart is the country's leading specialty retailer of swimming-pool supplies and related products. The company currently markets its products through 385 retail stores in 30 states, a nationwide mail-order catalog and a new Internet e-commerce site.