Medifast, Inc. (NYSE:MED), a leading United States manufacturer and provider of clinically proven weight-loss and healthy living products and programs, today announced that Daniel (“Dan”) R. Chard has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of Medifast’s Board of Directors, effective today, bringing the size of the board to 10 members. Mr. Chard succeeds Michael MacDonald, who will stay with Medifast in the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. Mr. Chard was selected by a search committee led by Mr. MacDonald and Medifast Independent Director, Glenn Welling, and his appointment as CEO was unanimously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company also announced today that it expects to meet or exceed third quarter guidance for revenue from continuing operations in the range of approximately $64.0 million to $67.0 million and earnings per diluted share from continuing operations in the range of $0.43 to $0.46 per diluted share.
“This is a time of exciting transition for Medifast as we further enhance the strength of our executive team with the appointment of Dan as CEO. We are fortunate to gain a seasoned executive in Dan, who possesses extensive direct selling industry experience growing Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. as well as at PartyLite, an affiliate of a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group. This, along with a strong background in consumer products, makes him ideally suited to help us take our business to the next level and accelerate our growth. Dan’s unique combination of leadership skills across operational, international, and marketing roles will be a tremendous asset to our team as we build upon the success of Take Shape For Life® and further optimize our unique multi-channel distribution model. We have made tremendous progress advancing our strategic objectives and creating value for our stockholders. With our financial performance, balance sheet position, executive talent, and momentum in Take Shape For Life with the recent OPTAVIA™ lifestyle brand and product line introduction, Medifast is in the strongest position in our Company’s history,” said MacDonald. “My passion for this business, our partners, Health Coaches, franchisees, customers, and employees remains as strong as ever, and I look forward to working closely with Dan and the rest of the management team in growing the Company’s business.”
Mr. Chard joins Medifast with over 25 years of direct selling and consumer products experience. Most recently, he served as President & Chief Operating Officer of PartyLite, an affiliate of a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group. Over his 17 year tenure at Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (“Nu Skin”), Mr. Chard held various leadership roles, including Executive Vice President of Distributor Success and then President, Global Sales & Operations from 2006 to 2015. He served as President of Nu Skin Europe from 2004 to 2006 and in many other roles of increasing responsibility since he joined the company in 1998. Prior to Nu Skin, Mr. Chard held marketing leadership roles at PUR Recovery Engineering and The Pillsbury Company. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Brigham Young University and received his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota.