Management Team

Lawrence H. Hayward is Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer. He joined the Company in January of 2000 as President and Chief Executive Officer and assumed the additional role of Chairman of the Board in September of 2000. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hayward served as the President of ABCO Desert Markets, a food and drug retailer located in Phoenix, Arizona. From 1995 until 1999, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Carr Gottstein Foods Co., Alaska’ s largest food and drug retailer and wholesale provider. From 1990 to 1995, Mr. Hayward held senior level positions at Buttrey Food and Drug Co. From 1981 until 1990 he served in various corporate positions at American Stores Company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Hayward serves on the Board of Directors of PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc., a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food, supplies and services.

Michael L. Hatch is the President and Chief Operating Officer and has been with the company since joining as the Senior Vice President, Merchandising and Marketing of the Company in November of 2000. Mr. Hatch has more than 30 years of experience in the retail industry. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hatch served as the President of ABCO Desert Markets, a food and drug retailer located in Phoenix, Arizona. From 1996 to 1999 he was employed by Smiths Food and Drug where he held various positions including Senior Vice President and Southwest Manager and Vice President of Sales, Merchandising and Marketing. From 1970 to 1996, Mr. Hatch held various senior management positions at Smitty’s Super Valu, Inc. located in Phoenix, Arizona, which later merged with Smith’s Food and Drug.

Steven L. Ortega, joined the company as Chief Financial Officer. Executive Vice President and Director in August, 2005. He most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for BI-LO LLC, from 1999 to 2005. BI-LO LLC is a $4.8 billion leading regional supermarket chain in the southeast United States, operating 423 stores primarily under the BI-LO, Bruno's and Food World banners with locations in six states. Mr. Ortega’s responsibilities at BI-LO included the leadership and oversight of the Finance, Treasury, Accounting, Real Estate, Construction, Information Technology, Risk Management and Internal Audit functions. Prior to joining BI-LO, Mr. Ortega was with American Stores Company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he held various positions within their supermarket and drug store subsidiaries, including Vice President - Finance and Administration, and Vice President - Logistics.

Craig A. Wright is Group Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Mr. Wright joined the Company in April of 2008 as Vice President Direct Marketing and assumed the role of SVP and CIO in March of 2009. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Wright was the Senior Vice President of National Sales and Logistics for Millard Refrigerated Services, one of the largest third-party providers of refrigerated warehouse and distribution in the United States. From 1981 to 1998, Mr. Wright held progressive management roles with Buttrey Food and Drug Co., including Vice President of Merchandising & Distribution.

Christian Shaffer is Senior Vice President, Retail Operations. From September 2008 to October 2010, Mr. Shaffer held the position of Regional Vice President. Mr. Shaffer has been with the company since 2004 and has over 15 years of retail management experience. Most recently he held progressive management positions with Borders Group and Guitar Center.

Brian Agnew is Senior Vice President, Commercial and Service. From October 2005 to October 2010, Mr. Agnew held the position of Senior Vice President of Store Operations. Mr. Agnew has been with the company since 2003 when he joined the team as District Manager. Mr. Agnew has over 15 years of retail management experience and held several management positions in the retail grocery industry with Jewel Foods and Albertson’s Inc.

Bill Hicks is Senior Vice President Sales and Merchandising. Mr. Hicks has been with the company since 2001 when he joined the team as Vice President Sales and Merchandising. Mr. Hicks as over 25 years of retail management experience. Prior to joining Leslies, Mr. Hicks served as Vice President Non-Perishables for Rainbow Foods and held progressive management positions with Carr-Gottstein Foods and Buttrey Food & Drug.

Bradley S. Smith is Senior Vice President of Supply Chain. From September 2008 to October 2010, Mr. Smith held the position of Vice President of Supply Chain. Mr. Smith has been with the company since 2002 when he joined the team as Manager of Real Estate. Prior to joining Leslie’s, Mr. Smith held various management positions within the Real estate industry with Marcus and Millichap and Resortside Properties.

Kory Klecker is Senior Vice President & General Counsel. Mr. Klecker joined the Company in June of 2007 as Vice President & General Counsel and assumed the role of SVP & General Counsel in October of 2010. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Klecker was the Vice President and General Counsel & Assistant Secretary for Action Performance Companies, Inc. (NYSE: ATN), the leading designer and marketer of licensed NASCAR and motorsports products and souvenirs. From 1997 to 2007, Mr. Klecker held a variety of management positions with Action Performance (now known as Motorsports Authentics, Inc.), including serving as Secretary to the Board of Directors and responsibility for the all legal and licensing matters. Mr. Klecker received his Juris Doctor from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 1997.