Mars Music Names Michael Yackira as New CFO

Business Wire, Feb 22, 2001

Business Editors/Music Writers

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 2001

Former President of FPL Energy Replaces Bob Zobel,

Who is Named Chief Administrative Officer

Mars Music, the nation's hottest seller of musical instruments, recording equipment and pro audio gear, today announced that Michael Yackira has been named Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Yackira brings to Mars Music more than 25 years of financial and corporate experience, most recently as President of FPL Energy, LLC, a subsidiary of FPL Group, Inc. (FPL). He was formerly Chief Financial Officer of FPL and its subsidiary, Florida Power & Light Company.

"We are pleased to have Michael Yackira join our experienced management team," said Mark Begelman, CEO & Founder of Mars Music. "His combination of proven leadership, experience with the investment community and passion for music as an avid drummer and guitarist makes him an ideal addition to Mars Music."

Mr. Yackira, while President at FPL Energy, helped significantly grow the power producer's revenues nationwide and geographic position. Earlier in his career, Yackira served as Vice President of Finance and Assistant Controller of three subsidiaries of GTE (now known as Verizon) and was Vice President of Finance for St. Joe Petroleum Corporation. Prior to that he served at Arthur Andersen & Co. Since his early years, Yackira has been a drummer and plays guitar and piano as well. He has an extensive music collection, and is known to his friends as "The Record Maven."

The musical instrument retailer also announced that Bob Zobel, who has been Chief Financial Officer, has been named Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer.

"Having Bob Zobel as a member of the Mars Music team since prior to opening our very first store is a tremendous benefit to our company," added Begelman. "Bob has been instrumental in the growth of our company, which now includes 46 stores in 24 states, as well as MarsMusic.com, the Mars Music Foundation, Mars Music Records and Mars Music Publishing."

Before joining Mars Music in 1996, Zobel was a 22-year associate of Deloitte & Touche LLP (formerly Touche Ross & Co.).

About Mars Music

Based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Mars Music was founded in 1997 by Mark Begelman and currently operates 46 stores in 24 states, plus a public Web site at www.marsmusic.com. Each "concert hall-size" superstore is filled with more than 100,000 name-brand musical instruments and recording and pro audio products. All Mars Music stores also have a full-size stage and Entertainment Center, recording studio and Learning Center. Through a variety of innovative programs (the Learning Centers, the Mars Music Foundation, Rock U., Be A Player, Mars Babies Make Music), Mars Music is already the largest provider of private music instruction in the United States, having given more than 1 million lessons since the company's inception.

The Web site, MarsMusic.com, educates, motivates and inspires people to learn, play and enjoy music, offers interactive music information, online music lessons, accredited music courses and access to a cyber-store containing more than 100,000 musical instruments and recording gear products. Other features on the Web site include high-quality product presentations, reviews and comparisons; product video and audio clips; customized search tools to help customers choose an instrument; a repair directory and trouble-shooting capabilities; and online order tracking with email confirmation of orders and shipments.