Beth Springer Nominated to Join Central Garden & Pet Board of Directors

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ:CENT) (NASDAQ:CENTA) announced today the nomination of M. Beth Springer for election to the Company’s Board of Directors at Central's Annual Meeting of Stockholders on February 11, 2013. Ms. Springer is a former executive of The Clorox Company, where she spent 21 years, most recently as Executive Vice President and General Manager from January 2009 to April 2011.

“Beth’s insight and expertise will be enormously valuable to Central as we continue to transition to an integrated branded consumer products company.”

“Beth is a seasoned and accomplished consumer executive with extensive experience in setting long-term corporate strategy, general management, brand-building and marketing, making her a terrific addition to Central’s Board,” said Bill Brown, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Central. “Beth’s insight and expertise will be enormously valuable to Central as we continue to transition to an integrated branded consumer products company.”

Ms. Springer held a number of executive positions during her tenure at Clorox. Under her leadership as Executive Vice President and General Manager of International & Natural Personal Care, the businesses she headed were among the fastest growing at Clorox. Beth helped drive significant improvements in cost structures and processes.

Previously, Ms. Springer served as Clorox’s Group Vice President, Strategy and Growth from 2007 to 2009, a newly-created role in which she oversaw strategy and business development. Prior to that position, she was Group Vice President and General Manager, Specialty Division from 2005 to 2007 and Vice President and General Manager, Glad Products Business Unit from 2002 through 2004. Ms. Springer joined Clorox in 1990 as an associate marketing manager for household products and subsequently held marketing positions of increasing responsibility.

Ms. Springer is a Trustee and Co-Chair of the Development Committee of Bryn Mawr College, and previously served as a member of the boards of Catalyst Western Region, Business for Diplomatic Action and CuriOdyssey Museum for Environmental Education.

Ms. Springer holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Bryn Mawr College and a master's degree in business administration from Harvard University.

About Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet Company is a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the lawn & garden and pet supplies markets. Committed to new product innovation, our products are sold to specialty independent and mass retailers. Participating categories in Lawn & Garden include: Grass seed and the brands PENNINGTON®, SMART SEED® and THE REBELS®; wild bird feed and the brand PENNINGTON®; weed and insect control and the brands AMDRO®, SEVIN®, IRONITE® and OVER-N-OUT®; and decorative outdoor patio products and the brands NORCAL POTTERY®, NEW ENGLAND POTTERY® and MATTHEWS FOUR SEASONS™. We also provide a host of other regional and application-specific garden brands and supplies. Participating categories in Pet include: Animal health and the brands ADAMS™ and ZODIAC®; aquatics and reptile and the brands OCEANIC SYSTEMS®, AQUEON® and ZILLA®; bird & small animal and the brands KAYTEE®, SUPER PET® and CRITTER TRAIL®; dog & cat and the brands TFH™, NYLABONE®, FOUR PAWS®, PINNACLE® and AVODERM®; and equine and the brands FARNAM®, VITA FLEX® and HORSE HEALTH™ PRODUCTS. We also provide a host of other application-specific pet brands and supplies. Central Garden & Pet Company is based in Walnut Creek, California, and has approximately 3,600 employees, primarily in North America. For additional information on Central Garden & Pet Company, including access to the Company's SEC filings, please visit the Company’s website at www.central.com.