Abingdon, VA, May 12, 2009 – The leading supplier of spa products and services, Universal Companies, is pleased to announce that Peter G. Rice has joined its Board of Directors.
Mr. Rice is Chairman of Elk Run, LLC, a private investment company. He was the co-founder of Plow & Hearth, Inc., the national multi-channel retailer of products for home, hearth, yard, and garden. In 1998, he and his partners sold Plow & Hearth to 1-800-Flowers.com, and in 2006 he retired from Plow & Hearth after 25 years as its President and CEO. In addition to his consulting work, Mr. Rice continues to work with 1-800-Flowers on special projects in the area of corporate development.
Prior to founding Plow & Hearth, he was involved in the formation of two other start-up companies, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports (a specialty retailer of outdoor apparel and equipment) and Phoenix Kayaks (a manufacturer of kayaks and related accessories). Mr. Rice is Chairman of the Shenandoah National Park Trust and is a Trustee of The Montpelier Foundation. He received his BA from Williams College and his MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School.
“We are very pleased that Peter has joined our Board of Directors. His knowledge and experience with Plow and Hearth and other successful businesses, will be invaluable to us as we continue to grow and strengthen our position as the leading distributor in the spa industry,” said Marti Morenings, Universal Companies Chairman and Founder.
Website:
Email: susanl@universalcompanies.com
