TrueBlue Board Refreshment and Strategic Initiatives Fueling Long-Term Growth

## TrueBlue Responds to EHS Management, Details Board Refreshment and Strategic Progress

**TACOMA, Wash.** – TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE: TBI), a leading provider of specialized workforce solutions, issued a strong statement today addressing recent comments and director nominations from EHS Management, LLC. The company asserted that its current strategic initiatives are already yielding improved financial results and positioning the company for sustainable, profitable growth, underscoring that shareholder action is not required at this time.

TrueBlue highlighted its disciplined execution of a plan focused on strengthening performance in key end markets, particularly within skilled trades, while simultaneously optimizing its cost structure for enhanced profitability and operational leverage. The company emphasized its continued investment in digital transformation, noting that enterprise-wide enhancements to its proprietary technology platforms are driving more efficient, precise, and transparent workforce solutions. This strategic focus, TrueBlue argues, is critical for margin expansion and capitalizing on the large, fragmented staffing market as economic conditions recover.

The company’s Board of Directors affirmed its commitment to robust corporate governance and long-term shareholder value. TrueBlue detailed a proactive, multi-year board refreshment process designed to align with strategic priorities, enhance diversity of experience, and strengthen oversight in critical areas such as technology, workforce solutions, and operations. This process included extensive engagement with shareholders, which informed recent appointments.

Notably, TrueBlue announced the appointment of William Greenblatt and William Seward, two highly qualified professionals with extensive industry experience and proven operational and commercial expertise. The company also confirmed that two existing directors will be stepping down at or before the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. These changes, which have been endorsed by TrueBlue’s largest shareholder, are presented as evidence of the board’s responsiveness to shareholder feedback and its dedication to enhancing operational oversight and accelerating transformation.

TrueBlue disclosed that it had engaged substantively with Eric Su of EHS Management, outlining the company’s ongoing strategic and governance changes. The company stated that it informed Mr. Su of its planned board refreshment well in advance of his public announcement of director nominations. Following a thorough evaluation of numerous candidates, including Mr. Su, the Board concluded that Mr. Greenblatt and Mr. Seward possess the superior skill sets necessary to advance the company’s strategy and enhance shareholder value. TrueBlue expressed regret that EHS is pursuing a potentially costly and disruptive proxy contest when significant positive momentum and change are already underway under the current board’s direction.

The current TrueBlue Board of Directors comprises seasoned professionals with deep industry, operational, and financial expertise, who collectively bring critical perspectives for executing the company’s long-term growth strategy. The Board and management team reiterated their dedication to acting in the best interests of all shareholders and remain open to constructive feedback aimed at driving long-term value creation.

Shareholders are advised that they are not required to take any action at this time. TrueBlue will present its formal recommendations regarding director elections in its definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and subsequently mailed to all eligible shareholders in advance of the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Barclays is serving as the financial advisor, and Sidley Austin LLP is acting as legal counsel to TrueBlue.

**About TrueBlue:**
TrueBlue (NYSE: TBI) stands as a premier provider of specialized workforce solutions. As “The People Company®,” TrueBlue prioritizes connecting individuals with meaningful work while delivering innovative, scalable solutions that foster business growth and community prosperity. Since its inception, TrueBlue has facilitated employment for over 10 million people and served more than 3 million clients across diverse industries. Leveraging proprietary, digitally enabled platforms and decades of expertise, its brands—PeopleReady, PeopleScout, Staff Management | SMX, Centerline, SIMOS, and Healthcare Staffing Professionals—offer a comprehensive suite of flexible staffing, workforce management, and recruitment solutions designed for the evolving world of work. More information is available at www.trueblue.com.

**Forward-Looking Statements:**
This document contains forward-looking statements concerning TrueBlue’s future performance, operations, and growth prospects, particularly regarding its digital investments and market recovery. These statements are based on current management expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks include, but are not limited to, national and global economic conditions (including inflation, interest rates, and geopolitical instability), potential impacts of unsolicited offers, the ability to maintain profit margins, client acquisition and retention, capital access, successful execution of business strategies and digitalization efforts, workforce acquisition, regulatory changes, tax credit fluctuations, acquisition integration, and common stock repurchase timing and volume. A detailed discussion of factors that could affect TrueBlue’s results is available in its SEC filings, including its most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q, accessible via the company’s investor relations website and the SEC’s EDGAR database. TrueBlue disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements. Future financial estimates are for informational purposes only and are subject to the risks outlined in SEC filings.

**Important Information for Investors and Shareholders:**
TrueBlue intends to file a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, along with an accompanying BLUE proxy card and other relevant materials, with the SEC regarding the solicitation of proxies for its 2026 annual meeting of shareholders. Shareholders are strongly encouraged to review these documents, including any amendments or supplements, when they become available, as they will contain critical information. Free copies of these filings will be accessible on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) and through the “Investor Relations” section of TrueBlue’s website (investor.trueblue.com/sec-filings/all-sec-filings).

**Participants in the Solicitation:**
TrueBlue, its independent directors, and certain executive officers are considered “participants” in the solicitation of proxies for the 2026 annual meeting. Information regarding the names of these individuals and their interests in TrueBlue, including security holdings and compensation, can be found in the company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 2025 annual meeting (filed April 4, 2025) and its Annual Report on Form 10-K (filed February 19, 2025). Supplemental information on participant holdings of TrueBlue securities is available via SEC filings on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4, filed on October 6, 2025, and October 7, 2025, for Taryn R. Owen, and on November 4, 2025, for Carl R. Schweihs. These filings are also accessible on the company’s website. Any subsequent updates to this information will be detailed in future SEC filings related to the 2026 annual meeting.

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**Media:**
Collected Strategies
Dan Moore and Jack Kelleher
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