On August 16, 2018, it was reported, RH (Restoration Hardware) has named a new president and chief financial and administrative officer. Ryno Blignaut replaces Karen Boone, who stepped down to spend more time with her family and young children. Effective today, Blignaut will lead all financial and administrative functions at RH across the company's multiple businesses and brands, including strategic and financial planning, accounting, treasury, tax, internal audit, investor relations, legal and compliance. He most recently served as chief business officer of Wheels Up. Prior to that, Blignaut served in various roles at Xoom Corporation, an online and mobile money transfer company, from May 2005 until December 2015. His roles included chief financial and risk officer through its initial public offering and at the time of its sale to PayPal. "Ryno's financial leadership and experience in working with innovative, high growth businesses makes him an excellent fit for RH during the next phase of our growth," noted Gary Friedman, chairman and CEO. Boone has agreed to work through a transition period to ensure a smooth handoff of her responsibilities, he added. "All of us at RH are deeply grateful for Karen's partnership and leadership these past six years, and I have the utmost respect for her decision to prioritize spending more time with her family right now," Friedman continued. He credited Boone, who joined the company as CFO in advance of its initial public offering in 2012, with helping lead "the evolution of RH into the leading luxury home brand, and the recent transformation of our business model." He added: "She has been a true partner to me personally, and I appreciate her willingness to work with us to ensure a smooth
On August 16, 2018, it was reported, Best Buy said it has acquired GreatCall for $800 million, according to a press release emailed to Retail Dive. GreatCall offers connected health and emergency response services to the aging population, has more than 900,000 paying subscribers, and says its annual revenue tops $300 million. GreatCall offers mobile products and connected devices as well as a range of services to aging consumers, including one-touch connection to U.S.-based agents who connect users to family caregivers, provide concierge services, answer questions and dispatch emergency personnel, according to the press release. GreatCall's headquarters will remain in San Diego and its care centers in Carlsbad, California, and Reno, Nevada. David Inns, who has been with GreatCall since its 2006 founding, will stay on as CEO, the companies said.
On August 16, 2018, it was reported, foam products manufacturer FXI has named longtime chief operating officer and chief financial officer Harold Earley as its president and CEO, effective Aug. 20. Earley is replacing John Cowles, who resigned to pursue an opportunity outside the industry, the company said. Cowles had been FXI's president and CEO since June 2011. Earley, who also joins FXI's board, has been with FXI since June 2009, when he was named executive vice president and chief financial officer. He added the title of chief operating officer in January 2016. He has more than 25 years in senior financial leadership roles, including chief financial officer at Sonitrol Corp. and Celetronix International. "Harold has been a key member of our senior leadership team for many years, and we are excited about this new and expanded opportunity for him to work with our customers and employees," said FXI Chairman John Georges. "We are grateful to John Cowles for his many years of contributions to the company. We wish him well in his new endeavors." FXI is a leading producer of innovative foam products for the home, health care, electronics, industrial, personal care and transportation markets.
On August 15, 2018, it was reported, Destination Maternity Chief Financial Officer David Stern departed the retailer on Aug. 10. The retailer's finance and accounting teams, led by Chief Accounting Officer Rodney Shriver, will take over until a new CFO is found, according to a company press release. Stern arrived two years ago and two chief executives ago, reporting to then-CEO Anthony Romano. Last September, Allen Weinstein took over from Romano, and in January this year independent director Melissa Payner-Gregor was named Interim CEO; her contract was extended last month. Earlier this week Andrea Funk, who was CEO of copper-focused manufacturer and distributor Cambridge-Lee Industries, was appointed to the board, according to a company press release.
