Mr. Whalen was President and Chief Executive Officer as well as a director of the A.T. Cross Company (subsequently Costa Inc. (NASDAQ: ATX)) from 1999 to 2014 when the company was sold. A.T. Cross manufactured and marketed writing instruments and personal accessories under the Cross brand name and premium sunglasses under the Costa brand name. From 1991 to 1999 Mr. Whalen held various senior positions with Bausch & Lomb, Inc., including Corporate Vice President, President Europe Middle East and Africa Division and President North America Ray-Ban Division. Earlier in his career, Mr. Whalen was Vice President Business Development with G. Heileman Brewing Company and a consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton. Mr. Whalen has served on the Board of Directors of Pool Corporation (NASDAQ: POOL) since November 2015 and is a member of its Audit Committee and Strategic Planning Committee. Mr. Whalen previously served on the Board of Directors of Phoenix Footwear Group, Inc. (OTC: PXFG) from 2015 to 2017. Mr. Whalen brings to their Board extensive marketing, financial, operational and senior leadership experience across multiple companies, industries and geographies as well as consumer brand development expertise. In addition, Mr. Whalen's business acquisition and integration experience provides their Board with valuable strategic depth and insight.
Mr. Whalen has been a Director at Delta Apparel, Inc. since 2017 and is Chair of the Compensation Committee and member of the Corporate Governance Committee.