Gerry Smith - OFFICE DEPOT CEO

Mr. Gerry P. Smith is Chief Executive Officer, Director of the Company. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. G. Smith was at Lenovo Group Limited, a 45 billion leading global technology company, since 2006. Most recently, Mr. G. Smith served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Lenovo since 2016 where he was responsible for all operations across Lenovos global product portfolio. Prior to assuming this role, also in 2016, Mr. G. Smith was Executive Vice President and President, Data Center Group. From 2015 to 2016, he served as Chief Operating Officer of the Personal Computing Group and Enterprise Business Group, and from 2013 to 2015 he served as President of the Americas. In these roles, Mr. G. Smith oversaw Lenovos fastgrowing enterprise business worldwide and Lenovos overall business in the Americas region. Prior to that, Mr. G. Smith was President, North America and Senior Vice President, Global Operations of Lenovo from 2012 to 2013, and Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain of Lenovo from 2006 until 2012 where he was responsible for endtoend supply chain management. Prior to Lenovo, Mr. G. Smith held a number of executive positions at Dell Inc. from 1994 until 2006, as the company became a global leader in personal computers. Mr. G. Smiths extensive leadership experience, strong track record in increasing operating profit, managing complex integrations, directing corporate turnarounds and transforming companies for future success, led the Board to conclude that he should be nominated as a director. since 2020.