Medicis has announced the promotions of Mark A. Prygocki to executive vice president, chief operating officer, Vincent Ippolito to executive vice president, sales and marketing, and Richard D. Peterson to executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. These promotions follow the departure of Richard Havens who has, until now, served as the company's executive vice president, sales and marketing. Mr. Havens will be leaving Medicis as a first step towards his eventual retirement. He has agreed to act in a consultancy capacity exclusively to Medicis at an agreed upon hourly rate, and will assist primarily with strategic initiatives and business development activities.

"I am pleased that we are able to promote highly talented, well-respected individuals with proven track records from within the organization," said Jonah Shacknai, Medicis' chairman and chief executive officer.

Mr. Prygocki joined Medicis in 1991 and was appointed to the position of chief financial officer, treasurer and corporate secretary in May 1995. In January 2001, Mr. Prygocki was also appointed as executive vice president. Prior to joining the company, he served at Citigroup and Ernst & Young.

Mr. Ippolito joined Medicis in 2003 and most recently served as senior vice president of North American sales since January 2006. Prior to joining the company, he was employed by Novartis from 1986 to 2003.

Mr. Peterson joined Medicis in 1995 and most recently served as senior vice president, finance. He has held various accounting- and finance-related positions since joining Medicis in 1995. Prior to joining the company, he was employed by PricewaterhouseCoopers.