HearAtLast Holdings, Inc. (Pinksheets:HRAL - News), a leading provider of suitable affordable solutions to clients with hearing needs in the billion dollar hearing loss market, announced today the formation of its advisory board with the appointment of Louie Mele, consultant and former CEO of McDonald's Canada, and Gora Ganguli, President & CEO of VitaSound Audio, Inc.
Matthew Sacco, CEO of HearAtLast, commented, "The board was created to add depth to the management team and gather knowledge from experienced business professionals and select individuals within the industry. This will increase HearAtLast's capabilities while exploring new opportunities to enhance shareholder value, business development and growth."
This undertaking is targeting all divisions of the company to increase overall shareholder value and will be looked upon as an internal strategic audit of corporate performance and a re-examination of all opportunities for future revenue and growth. The Company is committed to improve the performance of HearAtLast for its shareholders. With the assistance of the Advisory Board, the Company will continue to be aggressive in pursuing all of the opportunities presented to the company while maintaining a controlled schedule of growth.
Mr. Sacco further added, "We will continue to grow our Advisory Board allowing HearAtLast to have more depth and with the immediate addition of Mr. Mele and Mr. Ganguli, I am confident that it will enable us to manage all the tasks at hand, professionally and completely."
About Louie Mele
Mr. Mele began his career with McDonald's in 1972 as a crew member and through his dedication and commitment he was eventually appointed to Operations Manager in 1985. In 1987 he took his Canadian experience overseas to Italy where he assumed the role of Director of Operations and in April 1990 was named President of McDonald's Italy. Mr. Mele relocated to the United States in 1995 where he served as Regional Manager of the Southeast Division, a position held until 2001.
In April 2001, Mr. Mele returned home to Canada where he took on the role of Executive Vice President of McDonald's Restaurants of Canada and in 2003, he added the role of Chief Operating Officer for the Company. In April 2005 he was appointed as President of McDonald's Restaurant Canada bringing in a renewed focus to the Canadian System. Mr. Mele also served on the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada, the Canadian Restaurant and Food Services Association, and the Brick. He has also served as Chair of the CRFA's Fitness and Nutrition Roundtable, a committee he was instrumental in establishing. In 2006 Mr. Mele was honoured by the Caboto Club in his hometown of Windsor with the 2005 Italian of the Year Award.
About Gora Ganguli
Gora Ganguli is President and CEO of VitaSound Audio, Inc. He has extensive experience in the micro-electronics and semiconductor industries, including over 10 years in hearing instruments, in technical, operational and executive management roles.
Prior to VitaSound, Mr. Ganguli was a Senior Vice-President at Gennum Corporation and General Manager of its Audio & Wireless Division. He successfully led the transition from analog technologies to digital and broadened the scope of business from hearing instruments to consumer-focused audio and wireless products. During this period, he served two terms as Director on the boards of the Hearing Industry Association and the Better Hearing Institute and was twice elected Secretary/Treasurer of both organizations.
He joined Gennum as Vice-President of Manufacturing Operations and led the transformation of the organization to world-class standards of quality and cost, including the construction and start-up of a new chip fabrication facility in Burlington.
Before Gennum, Mr. Ganguli was with IBM in their Micro-Electronics Division. At IBM, he performed various technical and management functions, and ultimately in senior operational and business unit management positions. He was based in Canada but was also assigned to work terms in IBM Endicott (US) and IBM Yasu (Japan).
About HearAtLast
HearAtLast Holdings, Inc. is a Nevada corporation that owns and operates its wholly-owned subsidiary of hearing stores co-located within select Wal-Mart stores throughout Canada. Their chain of hearing stores specializes in the sale of digital hearing aids and testing services. The Company is the affordable hearing solution for Canadians, combining the most sought after retail space in North America with convenience and location. HearAtLast provides State of the Art Hearing Testing and Dispensing services to individuals with all types of measurable hearing loss.
HearAtLast facilities sell a selection of high quality brand name hearing aids and also offer complimentary screening tests, clinical hearing tests, high end ear buds and assistive listening devices. The Company's mission is to consolidate the highly fragmented hearing services industry while providing unparalleled service to the estimated 30+ million hearing impaired individuals throughout North America. After a prescription is approved, the independent on-site audiologists and hearing aid practitioners at HearAtLast utilize a refined process to dispense the latest in Name Brand digital hearing aids.
For more information please visit the company website at: www.hearatlast.com
Safe Harbor
Statements about the Company's future expectations and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby.
The information contained in this press release may include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements usually contain the words "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "expect," or similar expressions that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the company's uncertain profitability, need for significant capital, uncertainty concerning market acceptance of its products, competition, limited service and manufacturing facilities, dependence on technological developments and protection of its intellectual property. The company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed herein.
Contact:
Investor Relations:HearAtLast Holdings, Inc.Aldo Rotondi416-436-3795investorrelations@hearatlast.com
