RICHARD L. BREADY is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nortek, Inc., a Rhode Island-based leading international designer, manufacturer and marketer of high-quality branded products for ventilation, HVAC and residential comfort, convenience and entertainment for residential and commercial use. Nortek was previously a listed company on the New York Stock Exchange that was taken private by Richard L. Bready and other senior Nortek management together with Kelso & Co. in January, 2003. In August, 2004, Nortek was acquired by T.H. Lee, Richard L. Bready and other senior Nortek management from Kelso & Co.

Mr. Bready joined Nortek as Treasurer in 1975 and was elected a Director in 1976. In 1977, he was elected Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and was elected President in 1979. In December of 1990, Mr. Bready was elected Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

Prior to joining Nortek, Mr. Bready was an independent financial consultant and an audit manager with a major public accounting firm.

Mr. Bready holds a master's degree in accounting from Northeastern University and a bachelor's degree in economics from Saint Anselm College. He holds an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from Johnson & Wales University as well as an honorary Doctorate of Business Management from Roger Williams University.

He is a Certified Public Accountant in Massachusetts.

Mr. Bready serves on the Board of Directors of GAMCO Investors, Inc., Bank Rhode Island, Bancorp Rhode Island, Inc. and also serves on the Advisory Board of Sterling Investment Partners.

Mr. Bready is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Roger Williams University, serves on the Board of Directors or Trustees of Johnson & Wales University, Professional Facilities Management, Inc.; Newport International Film Festival; Providence Performing Arts Center; Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC); the National Conference of Christians and Jews; the YMCA of Greater Providence; Saint Anselm College, and is a Trustee Emeritus of Trinity Repertory Company. He is a Corporation Member and serves on the National Council and Alumni Executive Forum of Northeastern University. Mr. Bready is a Corporation Member of Rhode Island Hospital and Johnson & Wales University.

In addition, Mr. Bready is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA); American Management Association; Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce; National Association of Manufacturers and the Rhode Island Commodores.