On May 18, 2017, upon recommendation of the nominating and corporate governance committee, the board of directors (collectively, the "Board") of HD Supply Holdings, Inc. and HD Supply, Inc. (collectively, the company) appointed Lionel L. Nowell III to the Board and appointed Mr. Nowell to the Board's Audit Committee. Lionel L. Nowell, III, served as senior vice president, treasurer of Pepsico, Inc. from August 2001 to May 2009, where he was responsible for Pepsico's worldwide corporate treasury function. Nowell has served on the board of directors of American Electric Power Company, Inc. since July 2004 (audit committee chair); Reynolds American Inc. since September 2007 (lead independent director); and Bank of America Corporation since January 2013 (audit committee member). He served on the board of directors of Darden Restaurants, Inc. from October 2014 to September 2016; PepsiAmericas, Inc. from April 2002 to April 2005; Church & Dwight Co. Inc. from December 2003 to July 2007; and Northwestern Corporation from August 2002 to November 2002. He also serves on the Fisher College of Business Dean's Advisory Council at The Ohio State University.