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Vitamin Shoppe announces Watts as new CEO

Vitamin Shoppe reported today that Colin Watts will be joining the company as its new chief executive officer effective April 6, 2015. Watts will also become a member of the Board of Directors.

March 4, 2015

Vitamin Shoppe Inc., a multi-channel specialty retailer and manufacturer of nutritional products, reported today that Colin Watts will be joining the company as its new chief executive officer effective April 6, 2015. Watts will also become a member of the Board of Directors.  

Watts is to succeed Tony Truesdale who announced in September 2014 his plans to retire in June 2015 after more than nine years of service at the Vitamin Shoppe. Watts is a consumer products and healthcare industry veteran. He most recently served as President, Weight Watchers Health Solutions. Prior to Weight Watchers, he held the role of Chief Innovation Officer at Walgreens. 

Watts also held senior leadership positions at Campbell Soup Company, and was Worldwide President, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, and Worldwide President, McNeil Nutritionals, part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies.

"We are pleased to welcome Colin, an experienced leader in the health, wellness and consumer products industries, to the Vitamin Shoppe," Rick Markee, executive chairman, said in a release. "He has a proven track record of setting strategic vision, driving innovation and building brands. Colin's skills are a fantastic addition to the company and we look forward to his leadership during the next stage of our growth."

"I look forward to working with the very talented team of Vitamin Shoppe Health Enthusiasts to build upon what has already been accomplished as we focus on being our customers' first choice for their health and well-being needs," Watts said in a statement. "Together we will focus on accelerating the growth of the company as we evolve into a trusted health and well-being lifestyle brand and destination."