Emerald Expositions Events Inc., which owns and operates the Outdoor Retailer shows, on Thursday announced that, with the agreement of the company’s board of directors, David Loechner has resigned his position as president and CEO and as a member of the board, effective as of the close of business on November 8.
With the assistance of an executive search firm, the board has commenced the search for a permanent successor to Loechner. Philip Evans, CFO, has been appointed by the board of directors as interim president and CEO, effective as of the close of business on November 8, and until a permanent replacement is named. Loechner will stay on with the company as an employee through December 31 and will work closely with Evans and the leadership team to ensure a smooth transition.
Loechner said, “After more than 35 years with Emerald and its predecessor companies, this was a difficult decision to make. However, I believe that the company is well positioned in its industry and its end markets, and this is the right time for me to retire from Emerald. It has been an honor and privilege to lead the company over the last eight years and to have worked with so many talented people. Together we have accomplished a great deal, and I look forward to working with Phil and team, through the end of the year, to ensure the business transitions smoothly.”
Kosty Gilis, chairman of the board, commented, “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank David for his leadership and numerous contributions over the past five years as we successfully built Emerald into the leading business-to-business trade show operator in the United States. With David’s strategic vision and day-to-day management, we have built a strong foundation consisting of a portfolio of industry leading shows and events that position Emerald for continued success.”
Gilis continued, “We look forward to further improvements under a new CEO who will lead the company through the next phase of growth. The board and Emerald remain committed to delivering long-term value to our shareholders through solid execution on all aspects of our operating model, including profitable organic growth and strategic M&A. Phil, together with his strong and experienced management team, will work closely with me and the Board to make this leadership transition seamless for our customers, shareholders and employees.”
Evans has served as Emerald’s CFO since 2013 and has over 30 years of experience in financial and leadership roles. Additionally, Evans played a critical role in leading the company through its successful initial public offering in April 2017. Prior to joining Emerald, Evans served as CFO for several companies, most recently ProQuest, a leading provider of online information to researchers.
