Brookstone Announces CEO Succession

MERRIMACK, N.H., April 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Brookstone, Inc. today announced that it has accepted the resignation of Stephen Bebis, its President and CEO and a member of the company's Board of Directors. Mr. Bebis' resignation will be effective April 4, 2013. Mr. Bebis joined Brookstone in May 2012.  Effective upon Mr. Bebis' resignation, James M. Speltz, the Company's Vice President, Chief Operating Officer has been appointed as the Company's new President and CEO.

Mr. Speltz has been with the Company since 1998. Most recently, he has served as the Company's Vice President, Chief Operating Officer since January 2012, and previously held positions as Vice President, Business Development and Supply Chain, the Operational Vice President of Inventory Management and various roles in the Company's IT Department.  Jackson Tai, the Company's Chairman of the Board, stated, "On behalf of the Board of Directors and myself, we look forward to working with Jim in his new leadership role. For more than 15 years, Jim has been intimately involved in many critical aspects of the Company's operations.  He has been a key driver of the Company's new revenue initiatives in our retail, e-Commerce and wholesale channels. His 'hands-on' leadership and his past roles in building the Brookstone brand and culture will be invaluable as the Company addresses the challenges presented by an ever-changing retail environment."

"Everyone at Brookstone is deeply committed to product innovation and the first-rate service our customers have come to expect from us," said Speltz. "I am proud to continue to work with our Board of Directors and management team which has provided unparalleled leadership and strong support across all areas of the Company. I look forward to building upon the strength of the Brookstone brand, continuing the significant progress we have made over the past few years, and expanding upon our business development initiatives."

About Brookstone, Inc.

Brookstone is an innovative product development company and multichannel lifestyle retailer. Brookstone operates more than 250 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico. Typically located in high-traffic regional shopping malls and airports, the stores feature unique and innovative consumer products. Brookstone also operates an e-commerce business that includes the Brookstone catalog and Brookstone.com. Fans of Brookstone are encouraged to Like Brookstone on Facebook, follow on Twitter and  The Fancy, and pin on Pinterest.

SOURCE Brookstone, Inc.