Gregg Paradies

President and CEO

Gregg Paradies is president and CEO of The Paradies Shops and is responsible for the company's overall business across the United States and Canada. With a focus on growing the company's core airport retail business, along with other company competencies, hotel and attraction/entertainment retail, Gregg places extreme importance in fostering The Paradies Shops' unique and extraordinary family culture.

Prior to his appointment as president and CEO in June 2004, Paradies held a number of roles preparing him for his current position. After graduating in 1985 with a finance degree from the University of Texas in Austin, Paradies entered the retail business through the Executive Training Program at Macy's. Joining the family business in 1987 as Manager of Hotel Properties, Gregg demonstrated an affinity for the hotel and airport retail business. Instrumental in the sale of the Hyatt Hotel gift shop business in 1991, Paradies was next promoted to Regional Vice President. In 2000, he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, preparing him for overall leadership of the company.

As president and CEO, Gregg has led The Paradies Shops to continued profitable growth, sustaining the company's track record of 48 consecutive years of sales growth and profitability since the company's founding in 1960. Overseeing the operation of 450 stores in almost 70 airports, hotels, and The Georgia Aquarium, Gregg's leadership is felt throughout the industry as The Paradies Shops continues to be recognized for its standards and award-winning sense of style. Top honors from industry peers include "Best Airport Retailer" for 13 consecutive years, "Concessionaire with the Highest Regard for Customer Service" for 12 years, "Best News & Gift Operator", "Best Specialty Retail Brand Operator (for Brooks Brothers)", "Airport Minority Advisory Council Corporate Partner Award", recognition for the 13th year by Golf World Magazine for PGA TOUR Shops in "100 Best Golf Shops". In addition, The Paradies Shops was named "Georgia Family Business of the Year" in 2003.

Under his guiding hand, the company has expanded its portfolio to over 20 exclusive brands, including Brooks Brothers, Brighton Collectibles, CNBC News, PGA TOUR SHOPS, The New York Times, Bass Pro Shops, LACOSTE, Vera Bradley, and THE EARTH COLLECTION. In 2005, Gregg brought the company into the attraction/entertainment industry by adding the world's largest aquarium - the Georgia Aquarium - to its airport and hotel portfolio.

Since 2004, Gregg has made a commitment to enhancing the company's already strong community giving and philanthropic efforts. With the company's Read & Return Program, pre-read books that are not sold, are given to charity as part of the company's commitment to literacy. Further, since 2005, the company's support of breast cancer awareness has contributed over $100,000 to research efforts and finding a cure. The company also supports numerous other charities across the country including significant annual support to The United Negro College Fund, Chicanos por la Causa, and Habitat for Humanity.

A member of the American Association of Airport Executives, Airports Council International, and a board member of the Airport Minority Advisory Council, Gregg makes it a priority to be involved in the airport industry staying abreast of new policy, standards, and protocols. In addition, the company is a member of the Atlanta Metro Chamber and Central Atlanta Progress.

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