Executive Tans appoints Tanning Industry Veteran as Vice President for Education and Training

Executive Tans, the premier indoor tanning franchisor in North America, announced the appointment of the tanning industry’s best-known spokesperson, Joseph Levy, as a bold component of the company's plan to bolster its position as a tanning industry leader. Levy will assume the role of vice president for education and training effective June 1, 2005.

As vice president, Levy will play a key role in the development of new programs for Executive Tans’ franchisees in addition to strengthening the already vigorous training curriculum. He will also be responsible for directing all Executive Tans public relations efforts. Levy will continue to serve as a consultant and scientific advisor for Smart Tan, the trade association for indoor tanning salons.

“I am very excited about this opportunity and look forward to my role as vice president,” said Joe Levy. "The future needs of tanning salon owners are changing - perhaps more rapidly than many of us expected - and I am eager to develop new ways to help Executive Tans redefine its role as a tanning industry leader," he added.

Levy, perhaps the industry's most visible and successful spokesperson, has dedicated his 13 year career in indoor tanning to promoting and defending the practice of Smart Tanning and sunburn prevention. He created the term “Smart Tan” and served as vice president of International Smart Tan Network since 1992.

“The whole team is excited about what Joe brings to the table and his addition to our staff reiterates our commitment to building a strong company -- from our franchisees to our corporate staff, “said Wayne Smeal, Chief Executive Officer of Executive Tans. "Executive Tans is evolving as a company and redefining the way it does business. We believe we are well on our way to become the premier 21st Century indoor tanning organization and a leader in this market.”

As an indoor tanning advocate, Levy is optimistic as ever about the future for properly managed indoor tanning businesses. Levy said. "And I am pleased that I will continue to work closely with Smart Tan as a consultant for that organization. Executive Tans and all of us benefit from having a strong educational institute like Smart Tan."

Joe has lobbied for the tanning industry at the FDA, Health Canada, several Canadian provinces and dozens of states in the United States for both Smart Tan and the Indoor Tanning Association. He has also been actively involved in research projects for the industry highlighting findings such as regular UV exposure might decrease cancer risk to authoring two studies quantifying the industry's positions on teenage tanning in salons.

"Executive Tans has always supported Smart Tan's efforts to make this a better industry and will continue to do so," Smeal said. "Joe has played a major part in Smart Tan's development and will continue to assist Smart Tan in its efforts to interpret the science and politics of photobiology and educate salon owners on how that affects them."

About Executive Tans:

Founded in 1991, Executive Tans is the premier indoor tanning franchisor in North America, with more than 150 locations in 36 markets. Attracting men and women alike with a professional, upscale mindset, the fast-growing franchisor has boosted total sales from about $1 million in 2000 to more than $20 million today.