Barnes & Noble has appointed Ronald D. Boire, currently president & chief executive officer of Sears Canada, as ceo of its retail business, effective September 8. Boire will succeed Michael Huseby who — as announced last week — will become executive chairman of Barnes & Noble Education once the company is formally spun off as a separate public company. Boire, who earlier served as evp, global merchandise manager for Best Buy, is expected to join the board of directors for the retail division. Huseby remains on the board of BN, Inc. until the split, after which Education will have its own separate board of directors. Herbert Mines Associates New York conducted the executive search for BN’s new ceo.
“I believe Ron’s extensive experience throughout all facets of the retail industry, combined with his leadership ability and proven track record, make him an ideal Chief Executive for Barnes & Noble,” BN chairman Leonard Riggio said in the announcement. With respect to Huseby, Riggio said: “Mike Huseby has done a superb job since he joined the Company in 2012. Under his leadership we have improved the performance of all of our business segments and he has helped put the Company in a position to separate the College and Retail businesses. Mike will now bring his financial and strategic leadership to the separate Barnes & Noble Education company.”
In addition, current chief merchandising officer Jamie Carey has been promoted to chief financial officer. Riggio said: “[He] has done an outstanding job serving as the company’s chief merchandising officer. He has put together a great team of buyers and merchants who have improved our sales performance and increased gross margins, as well. In his newly expanded role Jaime will work closely with Ron on all aspects of Company operations and be responsible for merchandising, marketing, e-Commerce, Nook and proprietary publishing.”