Esposito named Chain Store Age publisher

New York City Lebhar-Friedman Inc., parent company of Chain Store Age, last month named Gary Esposito as publisher of Chain Store Age.

The move, which became effective just prior to the holidays, acknowledges the contributions Esposito has made to the Chain Store Age franchise, which includes the SPECS (Store Planning, Equipment, Construction and Facilities Services) conference and Executive SPECS event. As publisher, he is also chairman of SPECS.

Esposito joined Chain Store Age in 2007 as national sales manager. He first joined Lebhar-Friedman in 1997 on Retailing Today, where he held sales positions for 10 years and was ultimately named national sales manager.

"Gary has spent his entire career in retail and retail publishing,” said John Kenlon, VP and group publisher for Lebhar-Friedman’s Retail Division. “He understands that for a product to have real value, it has to deliver for retailer and supplier alike. And that's why Gary is the right person to lead CSA and SPECS as both are products that help retailers and suppliers improve their bottom lines.”

Esposito succeeds Murray Forseter, who retired in June 2009. An avid football fan and accomplished home chef, Esposito lives in New Jersey with his wife Lori and four-month old son Vince. He is a proud graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, N.Y.