Herman Stone of Consolidated Theatres Named "Statesman of the Year"

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (September 5, 2003) - Herman Stone, President and CEO of Consolidated Theatres, was honored with the "Statesman of the Year" Award at the 2003 ShowSouth Conference held in Calloway Gardens, Georgia.

The prestigious award, sponsored by the Southern chapter of the National Association of Theater Owners (NATO), recognizes the beneficial and lasting impact of members in the motion picture exhibitor industry. Stone, a mainstay in the industry, was a popular choice for the award. "The word 'STATESMAN' is often overused, but I cannot think of anyone in our industry that deserves it better than Herman Stone," said Senior Vice President of Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, Rod Rodriguez. "Rising from a theatre manager in Charlotte, North Carolina to CEO of Consolidated Theatres is a huge achievement. It tells me he is not only a statesman, but a very savvy and hard working businessman."

Stone, who created Consolidated Theatres Management, LLC 13 years ago, accepted the award August 19, 2003 in a ceremony attended by representatives from the entire film industry. With nearly 40 years in the Motion Picture Exhibitors Industry, Stone is widely recognized for his continued influence on and dedicated passion for the silver screen. "It is an honor to be recognized by an industry that has given so much to me and the world of entertainment," said Stone. "I hope to continue to play a part in the growth of this wonderful industry for many years to come."

Consolidated Theatres, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, presently operates 16 theatres with 222 screens in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The company has an additional site under construction in Silver Spring, Maryland with plans for continued growth throughout the eastern United States. Consolidated Theatres is committed to continuing its reputation as the premier theater operating company in the United States.