GNC management makeover continues

PITTSBURGH — GNC on Tuesday continued its management makeover with the promotions of Jeffrey Hennion and Darryl Green and the announced resignation of COO David Berg.

The specialty retailer last week named Thomas Dowd, a 22-year GNC veteran, the company’s chief merchandising officer following the departure of Beth Kaplan, former president and chief merchandising officer. It also was announced last week that GNC CEO Joe Fortunato would assume the role of president.

Hennion has been promoted to EVP and chief marketing officer and Green to SVP domestic store operations.

"These promotions demonstrate the strength of the current management team, which has allowed us to restructure the merchandising and marketing organization utilizing internal talent after the recent departure of Beth Kaplan," Fortunato stated. "Tom Dowd and Darryl Green represent over 40 years of experience in the dietary supplement industry at GNC, including key areas like store operations, merchandising and franchising,” he said. “In addition, Jeff Hennion was recently recruited from Dick's Sporting Goods and represents significant executive experience with over 20 years at Dick's and at Alcoa in various executive roles, including marketing, e-commerce, social media, and finance and administration."

David Berg’s resignation will be effective September 2011 in his pursuit of other interests, the company stated. "David accelerated our international growth and strengthened our international management team to allow for continued core growth in our existing 48 international franchise countries,” Fortunato said. “The international management team continues to focus on growth in China and is pursuing opportunities in other key countries as well. We wish David well in his future endeavors."

Fortunato added that a search for a new EVP international operations will commence immediately to replace Berg.