Saks CEO Brad Martin Will Address Commencement Dec. 14
For release: December 10, 2003
For press information, contact Gabrielle Maxey Curt Guenther

Brad Martin, chairman and CEO of Saks Incorporated, will address 1,165 graduates at the University of Memphis' winter Commencement on Sunday, Dec. 14. Ceremonies begin at 3 p.m. at the Pyramid.

Saks operates 40 specialty department stores and 203 traditional department stores, as well as Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises. Martin was the principal investor in a group that acquired Proffitt's Inc. in 1984. In 1989 Martin became its chief executive officer and led the company as its revenues grew from $70 million to $7 billion. Proffitts acquired Saks in 1998.

Martin is a 1976 graduate of then-Memphis State University, where he served as president of the Student Government Association. He also holds an MBA degree from Vanderbilt University.

Martin holds the distinction of being the youngest person ever elected to the Tennessee General Assembly, where he served five terms in the House of Representatives. He was elected two days after his 21st birthday in 1972.

Martin has served on a variety of civic and charitable boards. He is also a director of two public companies, First Tennessee Corporation and Harrah's Entertainment Inc., and one private firm, Pilot Corporation.

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