MONTVALE, NJ – Benjamin Moore & Co. announced that Robert S. (Bob) Merritt was named Chief Executive Officer and President, replacing Denis Abrams who was dismissed after leading the company for seven years.

Merritt comes to Benjamin Moore with over three decades of management experience in the restaurant and food preparation and distribution industries. As Senior Vice President and CFO of Outback Steakhouse Inc., he oversaw the initial public offering in 1991 of that franchise and its subsequent listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Under his stewardship, the company grew from five restaurants in Florida to over 1,250 locations in 22 countries.