Home Depot Names Helen Johnson-Leipold to its Boar

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Home Depot Names Helen Johnson-Leipold to its Boar
Atlanta, GA, November 17, 2006--Home Depot has appointed Helen Johnson-Leipold, 49, to the Company's board of directors. Johnson-Leipold is chairman and chief executive officer, Johnson Outdoors Inc., and chairman, Johnson Financial Group. Johnson-Leipold began her 25-year career in marketing and management at Foote, Cone & Belding in Chicago in 1979, directing the advertising for some of America's leading consumer packaged goods companies, including Kraft and Beatrice Foods. She joined SC Johnson in September 1985 and was named vice president -- Consumer Marketing Services, Worldwide in 1992 and vice president, Personal & Home Care Products -- North America in 1997 -- and was the driving force behind that company's memorable "family company" advertising campaign. In March 1999, Helen was elected chairman and CEO of Johnson Outdoors Inc., a leading global outdoor recreational products company and, in July 2004, was also elected chairman, Johnson Financial Group, a $4 billion global financial services company. Johnson-Leipold serves as a director of S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. and JohnsonDiversey, Inc. She and her husband are also the owners of the Nashville Predators, an NHL hockey team. The appointment comes as part of the planned succession process to replace four existing directors who will retire over the next 18 months. The retiring directors include John L. Clendenin, 72; Claudio X. Gonzalez, 72; Milledge A. Hart, III, 72; and Kenneth G. Langone, 71. According to the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, any director reaching the age of 72 in the calendar year immediately preceding the next annual shareholders meeting is not eligible for nomination. "In searching for new directors, we seek to attract individuals with strong business experience, an appreciation for the changing retail landscape and a commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance. Helen Johnson-Leipold certainly brings all of these qualities and more to benefit our company and its shareholders. I also pay tribute to Ken Langone, Mitch Hart, John Clendenin and Claudio Gonzalez, who have fostered a climate for growth and opportunity that made The Home Depot the fastest growing retailer in U.S. business history," said Bob Nardelli, chairman, president & CEO of The Home Depot. With today's appointment, The Home Depot's board consists of 13 members, 10 of whom are independent according to NYSE and SEC standards.