Pennington, N.J. – June 14, 2007 – Direct Group, a fully integrated direct marketing solutions provider, announced today that Chris Ryan has been promoted to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer (COO).  Focused on the direct mail, postal and logistics side of the business, Ryan will oversee the company’s 800-plus employee production facility in Swedesboro, NJ, one of the largest-volume, single-site commercial mailing operations in the world.  Ryan, a founding partner and shareholder of Direct Group, previously held the position of Executive Vice President responsible for service, quality, sales and marketing.
 
Ryan is a 25-year veteran of the direct mail industry, and he brings to his new role extensive knowledge in the areas of sales, operations, facilities management, equipment, logistics, technology and production, as well as deep experience in leadership development.  In the new position, he will play a critical role in managing the business at the company’s current facilities in Swedesboro, and will be instrumental in helping to drive the firm’s continued expansion.
 
Prior to helping found Direct Group in 1995, Ryan spent 11 years as Vice President of Sales and General Manager of American Mail-Well in Philadelphia, where he engineered the successful turnaround of the company’s Philadelphia production facility.  He began his career at Boise Cascade, rapidly ascending to a marketing manager position on the company’s most profitable product line.   
 
“An outstanding leader with a clear understanding of client needs and exceptional skills in employee development, Chris is one of the most talented professionals in our industry today,” said Don McKenzie, Direct Group President and CEO.  “He also brings tremendous technical competencies in all aspects of direct mail, including postal optimization, logistics and production.  Chris’ leadership and his focus on best practices have helped all of Direct Group deliver clients the maximum yield possible from their direct marketing investments by boosting production efficiency, reducing cycle time and lowering postal expenses to enhance client ROI and service satisfaction.”  
 
Monty Yort, partner with SV Investment Partners, a private equity investment firm and the equity partner of Direct Group, added:  “Chris enjoys an outstanding reputation for his professionalism, expertise, abilities and leadership.  The respect he has earned from people at all levels of Direct Group – and throughout the direct marketing industry – make him ideally suited for this position.  He has made tremendous contributions to Direct Group, and he will play an integral role in the company going forward.”