Rad Power Bikes (RPB) has appointed former Bartell Drugs CEO Kathi Lentzsch as its new chief executive officer, closing the loop after the surprising departure of former CEO Phil Molyneux.
The Seattle-based e-bike brand, which has had its share of setbacks of late, said in a media release that “Lentzsch has deep experience transforming consumer-facing and B2B businesses.”
Molyneux, a UK native who previously held executive positions at Sony, Dyson and a string of tech companies, was appointed CEO of Rad Power Bikes in November 2022 after first being hired as president and CEO earlier that year. Molyneux’s LinkedIn profile marks his departure from RPB in February 2025.
Based on reporting from Brain earlier this week, the company had initially suggested that Molyneus “would remain with the company and work with CFO Stephanie Roberts, who will assume the role of interim CEO until the search for a replacement is completed.”
Bike industry feedback has led to questions about the new CEO’s lack of industry bonafides, as her background is primarily in drug stores, Pottery Barn, Pier-1 Imports, and Cost Plus World Markets. However, Lentzsch’s background also includes significant work in the turnaround of struggling businesses. And Molyneux was not a “bike guy” either.
“As Rad Power Bikes continues its strategic pivot to deepen its focus on physical retail, Kathi is the ideal leader to guide Rad through its next phase,” the company said in a media statement. “Her background spans over three decades of strategic leadership, including work with founder-led brands, high-growth startups, and established companies undergoing transformation. She has a strong history of helping brands evolve and connect with customers, which aligns seamlessly with Rad’s mission to offer an unrivaled customer experience.”
The company said Lentzsch brings a proven track record of driving business evolution while building meaningful relationships between brands and customers.
“Rad Power Bikes is at an inflection point, shifting from a direct-to-consumer model to a more retail-focused approach, and it’s an incredible time to come on board. This shift creates new opportunities to reach more riders, strengthen customer relationships, and evolve the brand in meaningful ways,” said Lentzsch. “What drew me to Rad is its unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainable transportation, and, most importantly, putting riders first. I’m eager to work alongside this talented team to build on Rad’s strong foundation of producing great products and partnering with the best bike shops to bring those e-bikes to riders, complete with a Rad Grin.”
Lentzsch was previously the CEO at Bartell Drugs, where she successfully led the company through the pandemic, strategic and innovative changes, and the merger of the company with Rite-Aid. She led the turnaround and repositioning of Pottery Barn, transforming it into a well-known home brand. Her extensive background also includes leadership roles at Pier 1 Imports and Cost Plus World Market, gaining deep expertise in retail operations and brand positioning.
As president of the Gift Division and CMO at Enesco, Lentzsch reportedly worked closely with the CEO to strengthen the business and revitalize company culture, fostering a more collaborative, creative workplace, efforts that earned Enesco a “World’s Best Workplace” distinction in 2015.
Images courtesy Rad Power Bikes
