VALHALLA, N.Y. – June 4, 2012 – Turtle Beach, the market-leading pioneers of the console gaming headset category, are pleased to announce the addition of three new members to its executive management team – a move that comes after a banner year for the company, and as it actively moves into new and expanding markets. The new appointments are Richard Kulavik as Chief Technology Officer, Craig Boelsen as Chief Supply Chain Officer and Jim Adams as Head of International Business. According to NPD data for 2011, Turtle Beach was the number one gaming headset company with more than 50% market share and almost 60% market share in Q4 alone. Turtle Beach is also the number one third party console video gaming accessories company, based on 2011 dollar volume. These executive appointments are on the heels of Turtle Beach’s headquarters relocating to new offices in Valhalla, New York, and on the eve of the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), where it will debut new products and partnerships. Turtle Beach is recognized as the company who pioneered the gaming headset market which has become the fastest growing sector of all gaming console accessories.
“Recruiting top talent to Turtle Beach is essential to continuing our momentum,” said Ron Doornink, Executive Chairman of Turtle Beach. “Each with their own impressive skillset, the combined experience these three professionals bring to Turtle Beach ensures we’ll continue to be the dominant player in the gaming headset space.”
“We’ve experienced tremendous growth in the last four years,” said Carmine Bonanno, Co-Founder of Voyetra Turtle Beach. “We welcome Richard, Craig and Jim’s leadership and expertise as we develop new technologies, expand to new markets and broaden our reach around the world.”
Roles and responsibilities for the new members of Turtle Beach’s executive management team include:
Richard Kulavik will serve as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), where he will define Turtle Beach’s technical vision as the company continues through a period of explosive growth. On a day-to-day basis, Kulavik will be leveraging Turtle Beach’s innovative technology to advance new product concepts, as well as drive into expanding markets for the game audio industry. Prior to joining Turtle Beach, Kulavik spent more than 15 years working with top-tier suppliers in the consumer audio industry and most recently was with Sony Computer Entertainment America where he led the peripheral products for PlayStation. He was previously Director of Marketing and Applications Engineering at AKM Semiconductor, providing audio and navigation technology to a number of gaming companies.
Craig Boelsen will act as Chief Supply Chain Officer, a role in which he will be responsible for overseeing Turtle Beach’s global operations, working closely with the entire team to forecast demand, manage manufacturing relationships and coordinate logistics worldwide. With more than 30 years of experience in supply-chain management, Boelsen has an extensive background working with audio and consumer goods through positions with such companies as Built NY, Altec Lansing Technologies and Benckiser Consumer Products. For the past decade, he has spent a quarter of his time in China managing manufacturing, sourcing and global operations.
Jim Adams is joining as Head of International Business, a position that will have him define, build and manage Turtle Beach’s business outside of North America, with an initial focus on Europe, Asia and Latin America. In addition to engaging with current and potential partners and retail customers, Adams will serve as the global voice of Turtle Beach through the company’s international sales and marketing team. Adams’ addition to the Turtle Beach team is a natural fit as he comes equipped with a rich sales history in the gaming space, where he most recently spent the last three years developing the mobile gaming market for Zeemote, Inc. Adams has also worked with such well-known companies as Acclaim Entertainment, Hasbro Interactive and Navarre Corporation.
Since the launch of the first integrated stereo gaming headset in 2006, Turtle Beach has expanded its product portfolio into a comprehensive range of wired and wireless headsets that address all gaming platforms, leading to a period of explosive growth. Building on a 30-year history of audio pioneering, Turtle Beach’s accomplishments in the world of gaming are only the latest in a string of continuous success. To date, Turtle Beach’s unique and innovative audio solutions have transformed the music, PC and interactive entertainment industries.
To learn more about Turtle Beach, visit its booth at E3 in Los Angeles from June 5-7 in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center, #2447, or visit its website at www.turtlebeach.com.
About Turtle Beach
Turtle Beach (www.turtlebeach.com) designs and markets premium audio peripherals for video game, personal computer, and mobile platforms, including its acclaimed line of Ear Force gaming headphones and headsets crafted for Xbox 360 and PS3 game consoles and PC games. Turtle Beach’s Ear Force XP400 wireless headset was named IGN’s “Best Gaming Hardware” as part of its Best of CES 2012 Awards.
Turtle Beach, headquartered in Valhalla, New York, is a brand of Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc., which has been at the forefront of music and audio technology for more than three decades and is recognized as a pioneer of today’s PC audio industry.
Turtle Beach and Ear Force are registered trademarks of Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc. Xbox 360 is a registered trademark of Microsoft, Corp. PlayStation 3 is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective holders and are hereby acknowledged.
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For more information, please contact:
Maura White
Turtle Beach
(914) 345-2255 x7897
maura.white@turtlebeach.com
Christian Averill
High Road Communications
(415) 248-7981
christian.averill@highroad.com