New promotions light up Yankee Candle finance, administration departments

SOUTH DEERFIELD, Mass. — The Yankee Candle Company has announced that Gregory Hunt is resigning as EVP finance and CFO, effective as of May 15, 2012. Hunt, who joined Yankee Candle in 2010, is leaving to join a leading New York based financial services firm.



"Greg has made tremendous contributions to Yankee Candle in his two plus years here," said Harlan Kent, CEO of the Company. "He has been a terrific partner to me in leading our efforts to drive cost reduction and productivity initiatives which have allowed Yankee to mitigate the challenging economic conditions of the past few years. He has also focused on optimizing Yankee's capital structure and cash flow, and recently led the successful refinancing of our credit facility. We wish Greg all the best in his new opportunity."



To replace Hunt, the company announced the promotion of Lisa McCarthy to the position of SVP finance and CFO. McCarthy previously served as the company's VP finance and controller. McCarthy joined Yankee Candle in 2004 and has subsequently held several finance positions of increasing responsibility until being promoted to her current position in 2010. Prior to joining Yankee Candle, she served as audit senior accountant with Deloitte & Touche LLP, where she worked from 2001 to 2004.



The company also announced the promotion of James Perley to EVP, chief administrative officer. Perley previously served as the company's EVP general counsel. Perley joined Yankee Candle in 1999 as VP general counsel. From 2006 to 2010, Perley also served as the company's president, international division. Prior to joining Yankee Candle, Perley was VP and general counsel of Star Markets Company Inc., where he served from 1997 to 1999. From 1987 to 1997, Perley was a member of the Boston-based law firm of Hale and Dorr LLP, now Wilmer Hale LLP.