AUG. 9 I GUITAR CENTER I PERSONNEL
Guitar Center to Promote Japinga to CEO

Guitar Center announced today that Darrell Webb will retire from his positions with the company, effective upon the naming of his successor as CEO. Guitar Center expects to finalize the promotion of Ron Japinga as Webb's successor in the coming days.

Japinga's promotion to CEO will follow his recent promotion to president of Guitar Center. In his new role, Japinga will expand his responsibilities to include the entire Guitar Center enterprise. Japinga's promotion will provide Guitar Center with the opportunity to continue building on the company's strategic initiatives.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at Guitar Center and am proud of the financial and operational successes that we've achieved in the past year and a half," Webb said. "The company is in a solid position, and I have tremendous confidence in Ron's ability to guide the company. I look forward to seeing what Ron and the team will accomplish in the future."

Before joining the team at Guitar Center, Japinga had an 8-year career at West Marine where he was the executive vice president of merchandising, planning and logistics. Prior to that, Japinga was a VP-level executive with Kohl's Department Stores. At Guitar Center as executive vice president for supply chain and private brands, Japinga shared his vast knowledge of retailing throughout the company to positively influence Guitar Center's overall performance.

"I'm excited about this opportunity, on both a personal and professional level," Japinga said. "One of the key reasons I joined the team here at Guitar Center was due to its great prospects for success. We have accomplished so much since then, yet we have more to accomplish. I remain enthusiastic about the company and look forward to contributing to the strategic direction that we've established in order to continue that success."

guitarcenter.com