George Clooney Joins Board of Enviro-Startup and Other Board Appointments

Actor George Clooney has been named an executive board member of a new environmentally-friendly Swiss energy company that is being set up by Swatch Group Chairman Nicolas Hayek, the Associated Press reported this week.

The firm, currently unnamed, is meant to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in energy consumption by developing environmental techniques for car motors and other devices. According to AP, Hayek told the daily publication Berner Zuitung that he had to decide between Clooney and former Vice President Al Gore to join in on the venture, but chose Clooney because it remains unclear whether Gore will run as a presidential candidate.

Clooney will sit on the board along with Swiss astronaut Claude Nicollier and others.  It is unknown when the new company will be launched.

CarMax, Inc., the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, announced today that its board of directors has elected Shira D. Goodman, executive vice president of marketing at Staples, Inc., and Ronald E. Blaylock, founder, chairman and CEO of Blaylock & Company, Inc., to serve on the board.

Goodman, who joined Staples in 1992, has held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility in general management and marketing prior to her promotion to executive vice president in 2001.  Under that role, she is responsible for the strategic, creative, operational an financial aspects of all Staples’ marketing, advertising, public relations and charitable giving programs.

Blaylock, who launched Blaylock & Company in 1993, was appointed non-executive chairman in 2007 when the company was acquired by Robert Van Securities, Inc.  Blaylock has previous experience holding senior management positions with PaineWebber and Citigroup.

Plug Power, Inc., has announced that Roger Saillant, who has been president, CEO, and aboard member of the company, plans to retire effective April 7, 2008.  Saillant informed the board of his direction during a routine meeting held on Oct. 18. 

As a result, the company’s board has appointed a search committee to seek out a successor, comprising independent director and Chairman of the board George C. McNamee; Maureen O’ Helmer, Esq., an independent director and chairman of the board’s corporate governance and nominating committees; and Gary K. Willis, an independent director and chairman of the compensation committee.