Retailer Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (BBW) announced Thursday the appointment of Chris Hurt as Chief executive Officer, as longtime President and CEO Sharon Price John intends to retire from her role effective June 11.
Hurt, currently the company's tenured Chief Operations and Experience Officer, has also been appointed to the Board of Directors, effective upon assuming the CEO role. Price John will remain on the Board and help to ensure a smooth transition.
Since joining Build-A-Bear Workshop in 2015, Hurt served as Chief Operations Officer, and more recently, Chief Operations and Experience Officer.
Craig Leavitt, Chairman of Build-A-Bear Workshop's Board of Directors, said, "Chris's appointment concludes a thorough and extensive succession planning process.... His outstanding record of business achievement, strategic initiative, exceptional knowledge and trust of the organization, as well as his dedication to the continued success and expansion of the company, served as proof points supporting the Board's confidence that he is uniquely prepared to drive the corporation forward..."
In pre-market activity, the shares were gaining around 9.2 percent, trading at $47.50.
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