USA: Stein Mart Adds To Board Of Directors

Jay Stein, chairman and chief executive officer of Stein Mart, Inc {Nasdaq:SMRT}, today announced that two business executives will join the company's board of directors. Martin E. ("Hap") Stein, Jr, chairman and chief executive officer of Regency Realty Corporation {NYSE:REG} and J. Wayne Weaver, chairman of Shoe Carnival, Inc {Nasdaq:SCVL} as well as chairman, chief executive officer and majority owner of the National Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars, will join the board, effective today. "We are very pleased to welcome both Hap and Wayne to our board," commented Jay Stein. "Each has an extraordinary combination of energy and experience which will further enhance our board's effort to achieve greater success in the marketplace." Hap Stein has been with Regency Realty since 1976, and was appointed president of the real estate division in 1981. He became president and CEO of the company in 1988 and chairman of the board in 1997. Wayne Weaver's career in the footwear business began with Brown Group Inc, a major St. Louis-based company, and he attained industry prominence during his term as co-owner, president and chief executive officer of Nine West Group, Inc, the leading designer and marketer of women's footwear, from 1978 until its initial public offering in February 1993. Today, in addition to his leadership at Shoe Carnival, Mr Weaver also serves as chairman, chief executive officer and majority owner of LC Footwear, the licensed shoe division of Liz Claiborne, Inc.