JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 31, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Latitude Global, Inc. (LAT) has announced the election of two senior executive veterans, Casey Gunnell and Michael Simon, to their Board of Directors, bringing the total board member count to five. Casey and Michael join John Alexon as the three independent board members.
Casey Gunnell's extensive background includes broad business management and executive/Board Member experience in entrepreneurial, startup, and rapid-growth sales-based companies. He has served on the Board of Directors for several private companies and three publicly traded companies. Mr. Gunnell has operated two management service businesses focusing on interim management, process improvement, restructuring situations and management advisory engagements for numerous clients over the last 15 years. Mr. Gunnell spent the majority of his career in senior roles including EVP & CFO of a $6 billion company, JM Family Enterprises, Inc. (parent of Southeast Toyota Distributors, Inc.) and then as SVP & CFO for AutoNation, Inc. For the last 2 ½ years Casey was a member of the Board of Metropolitan Health Networks (NYSE:MDF), a $700 million public company recently acquired by Humana, where he served as Chairman of the Audit Committee and also was a member of the Governance and Nominating Committee. Mr. Gunnell earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Florida Atlantic University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Greg Garson, President of LAT, stated, "Casey's 39 years of business experience as an entrepreneur driving the growth of a private medical device company (which he co-founded), an executive in multiple consulting and management solutions firms and as an executive and director of various publicly-traded companies provides the Board with valuable business, leadership and management experience."
Michael Simon is a partner in the law firm of Frankovich, Anetakis, Colantonio and Simon where he has practiced law since 1990. In addition to trial work, his practice involves representing clients in corporate and governmental/municipal matters and sports and entertainment dealings. Mr. Simon is a partner in the sports agency, Vantage Management Group and Mr. Simon's partners of VMG were formerly members of DeBartolo Sports. VMG represents numerous National Football League clients and currently represents last year's 36th overall draft and the first pick of the Denver Broncos, Derek Wolfe. In addition to representing NFL players, Mr. Simon is involved and does work with Roy Jones, Jr. Presents, which promotes boxing matches regionally. Mr. Simon also represents various entertainers and musicians who perform regularly throughout the United States.
"Michael's knowledge not only in law but also in sports marketing and entertainment management brings a very unique but relevant expertise to our team. We are confident that both Casey and Michael's entrepreneurial and corporate experience will provide the Board with innovative perspectives and guidance on our strategic direction and growth and we are honored they have chosen to join us," commented Brent W. Brown, CEO, Founder and Chairman of the Board.
About Latitude Global, Inc. (LAT)
LAT is a privately-held, independent, full-service restaurant/entertainment company founded in 2009 to plan, develop, construct and operate state-of-the-art, award-winning, 35,000 to 85,000 square foot premier restaurant/entertainment venues. Latitude Global locations fuse the magic of an exceptional food and beverage experience with multiple entertainment options in an upscale and contemporary-designed venue. Latitude 30, the flagship location, opened in January 2011 and Latitude 40 in Pittsburgh, PA opened in November 2012. Latitude 39 (Indianapolis, IN) opened in December 2012 and their first hybrid location, Latitude 42 in Chicago, IL will occupy 34,000 square feet within an existing Regal Cinemas multiplex and is scheduled to open in April 2013. For additional information, please visit www.Latitude360.com.
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