William H. Carpenter, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer and Director

William H. Carpenter, Jr. is a co-founder and CEO of Global Merchandise. He is a successful business executive and entrepreneur with a career marked by numerous distinctions in several industries. Inspired by his experience with the Rouse Company, Mr. Carpenter co-founded and served as President/Chief Operating Officer and Chief Brand Builder of Prime Retail (NYSE) from 1988 to 2000. During this time, Prime Retail became the leading developer of manufacturers' outlet malls nationwide. As President, he led the team that took the company from three initial employees to over 1,400 employees and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange, which raised more than $280 million.

Throughout his real estate development career, he received numerous distinctions, including Developer of the Year and the Award of Excellence for Off-Price Development from Value Retail News. He was also awarded Ernst & Young’s 1995 Entrepreneur of the Year award for Maryland Real Estate.

Mr. Carpenter is also a Director and President of Vend Natural, a healthy snacking company acquired by Global Merchandise. Recently, he accepted the Entrepreneur of the Year award for Vend Natural for its growth and mission to replace traditional vending machines with natural and organic snacks and beverages in schools, hospitals, business and other venues. Vend Natural has operations in 25 states with aggressive expansion plans underway.

A native of Baltimore, Mr. Carpenter resides with his family in Annapolis, Maryland and is active in the community.