GSI Commerce Names Robert Blyskal Co-President and Chief Operating Officer; New Corporate Organization Announced
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., May 17, 2004 – GSI Commerce Inc. (Nasdaq: GSIC) today announced it has named Robert Blyskal, to the newly created position of co-president and chief operating officer. Blyskal will report to Michael Rubin, chairman, chief executive officer and co-president of GSI Commerce. Prior to naming Blyskal to his position, Rubin served as president of the company, in addition to his roles as chairman and chief executive officer.
With the division of the president functions, GSI Commerce will create a new organizational structure. The company will organize into three groups: business management, technology and information services, and operations; sales, strategic planning and corporate development; and corporate support and governance. Blyskal will directly oversee the business management, technology and information services, and operations group and Rubin will directly oversee the sales, strategic planning and corporate development group, and the corporate support and governance group.
Blyskal brings more than 25 years of operations, technology and business management experience to GSI Commerce. Most recently, Blyskal served as the executive vice president, operations and technology for Medco Health Solutions, a leading pharmacy benefit manager with annual sales of approximately $35 billion. During his 11-year tenure with Medco, Blyskal held positions with increasing responsibility overseeing technology, business management, fulfillment and customer service. During his last year at Medco, the company’s national network of home delivery pharmacies filled approximately 82 million prescriptions. Prior to Medco, Blyskal spent more than 15 years in the global logistics and distribution industry, holding positions of increasing responsibility with United Parcel Service, Federal Express and Purolator Courier. Blyskal, 49, earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is married with three children.
“I am excited to welcome Bob to GSI Commerce and look forward to working closely with him as we continue our rapid growth,” said Rubin. “He has been a successful manager and leader for large organizations that share many of the same operational characteristics as GSI Commerce, only on a much larger scale. His experience and leadership is a great fit for our growing company.”
“This is a tremendous opportunity to join an innovative and fast-growing company in the exciting and emerging e-commerce market,” said Blyskal. “GSI Commerce provides a compelling value proposition to its partners, creating for them the opportunity for greater e-commerce revenue and profitability. I believe the value proposition creates a significant opportunity for GSI Commerce to grow its business on a profitable basis, and I look forward to helping the company execute its vision.”
In connection with the reorganization, Mark Reese, executive vice president and chief operating officer, has decided to leave GSI Commerce to pursue other opportunities.
About GSI Commerce
GSI Commerce provides an e-commerce solution enabling retailers, branded manufacturers, entertainment companies and professional sports organizations to operate e-commerce businesses. The company’s e-commerce solution includes Web site design, e-commerce technology, managed hosting, order fulfillment, customer service, merchandising and order management, online merchandising, customer relationship management, content development and online marketing. The company operates either all or a portion of the e-commerce businesses for approximately 45 partners.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements made in this release are or can be forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “guidance,” “potential,” “continue,” “project,” “forecast,” “confident,” “prospects,” and similar expressions typically are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business of GSI Commerce and the industries and markets in which GSI Commerce operates. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors which may affect GSI Commerce’s business, financial condition and operating results include the effects of changes in the economy, consumer spending, the financial markets and the industries in which GSI Commerce and its partners operate, changes affecting the Internet and e-commerce, the ability of GSI Commerce to develop and maintain relationships with strategic partners and suppliers, the ability of GSI Commerce to timely and successfully develop, maintain and protect its technology and product and service offerings and execute operationally, the ability of GSI Commerce to attract and retain qualified personnel, the ability of GSI Commerce to successfully integrate its acquisitions of other businesses, if any, and the performance of acquired businesses. More information about potential factors that could affect GSI Commerce can be found in its most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and other reports and statements filed by GSI Commerce with the Securities and Exchange Commission. GSI Commerce expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as otherwise specifically stated by GSI Commerce.
Contact:
Investors:
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Media
Greg Ryan
Director, Corp. Communications
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