PORTLAND, OR--(Marketwired - April 30, 2013) - Respect Your Universe, Inc. (TSX VENTURE: RYU) (OTCQB: RYUN) is pleased to announce it has appointed Craig Brod, Ph.D. as chief executive officer of the company. Dr. Brod has more than 25 years of experience in growing single-brand retail stores and has been closely involved with Respect Your Universe's current brand initiatives. His on-boarding represents the brand's concerted effort to enhance its retail presence. On April 29, 2013, Respect Your Universe's former chief executive officer, David Campisi, resigned as chief executive officer and director to join Big Lots, Inc. as the chief executive officer and president. Dr. Brod was also appointed as a director of Respect Your Universe on April 30, 2013.
"I am excited to join Respect Your Universe and be part of the next stage of growth for the company and expansion of our retail business," said Dr. Brod. "The company has an exceptional brand and unique retail opportunity, and I look forward to building on the solid foundation of quality staff and product innovation to solidify Respect Your Universe as the premier performance lifestyle apparel brand for athletes."
Dr. Brod has more than 25 years of experience in retail development, strategic planning and innovation for businesses in the United States and Asia. Dr. Brod is the founder of Imaginarium Toy Centers Inc., a national chain of educational toy stores with peak sales of $650 million that was later purchased by Toys ''R'' Us Inc.
Dr. Brod was executive vice president for WPI-Koll real estate, where he was responsible for store mix, merchandising concepts and brand development. Dr. Brod has conducted consumer initiatives for companies as diverse as Sesame Street and Reebok. Dr. Brod is a founder of Just Cause Investors, Inc., a firm that specializes in strategic planning and raising money for social impact businesses, and holds a Ph.D. in clinical and organizational psychology.
Dale Wallster was also appointed as a director of Respect Your Universe on April 30, 2013. Wallster is a businessman, geologist and a prospector with more than 30 years of experience. He was president and founder of Roughrider Uranium Corp., a company acquired by Hathor Exploration Limited in 2006. Wallster and his team are widely credited in the mineral exploration sector for the discovery of the Hathor's Roughrider deposit. In January of 2012, Hathor became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc as part of a CAD$650 million acquisition. He is now a director of Kivalliq Energy Corporation, a uranium company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. Wallster is a member of Kivalliq's audit committee and chair of its compensation committee.
On April 30, 2013, David Howitt resigned as a director of Respect Your Universe to focus on other initiatives.
For further information please see the investor relations pages at www.ryu.com, or contact Respect Your Universe at ir@ryu.com and +1-604-722-7917.
About Respect Your Universe
Respect Your Universe Inc. specializes in developing men's and women's performance apparel for the athletic-minded consumer. Crafted from organic and/or recycled materials, the products are constructed for performance, comfort and style. The brand foundation is based on respect, strength, and sustainability. For more information, visit www.ryu.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.