Exclusive: Independent App Store Appia Brings on Craig Forman as Chairman

Appia, a company that helps create private-label app stores for various handset makers and carriers, has hired Craig Forman to be its executive chairman.

The company is expected to announce the move later on Wednesday. Forman, who was executive chairman at location-based service app Where until it was acquired by eBay earlier this year, has also worked at EarthLink, Yahoo, Time Warner (and AllThingsD owner Dow Jones).

Though not well known in its own right, Appia powers app stores for some big names, including Opera, Samsung, T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon Wireless. Appia, which was formerly known as PocketGear, raised $10 million in venture funding back in March.