The 113 CEO changes recorded last month were 10.3 percent fewer than January 2012, when 126 CEOs left their posts. Health care products manufacturers and hospitals saw the heaviest CEO turnover in January with 23 departures. Health care was followed by the computer industry, where 13 CEO changes were announced. Financial firms announced 12 CEO changes, including E-Trade Financial’s Frank J. Petrilli, who stepped down as CEO but will remain with the company as board chairman.
Government and non-profit entities had 10 CEO changes, while retailers, pharmaceutical/biotech firms, and energy companies each saw six CEO departures.
“We saw several major retailers announce CEO transitions in January, generally amid financial losses or under-performance. Sears Holdings, particularly, has seen declining earnings over the last five years. Lou D’Ambrosio will step down and Edward Stewart will assume the role,” noted John Challenger, chief executive officer of Challenger, Gray & Christmas. “Struggling grocer Supervalu also announced a chief executive change. Wayne Sales, who oversaw the successful purchase of several of Supervalu’s major chains by Cerberus, will be replaced by former OfficeMax CEO Sam Duncan. Another retailer, dEliA’s, announced the board will not renew the contract with current CEO Walter Killough.”
Thirty CEOs cited resignation as their reason for leaving the top job, while 25 stepped into other roles with the company, typically as a board member or other C-level executive. Another 24 CEOs retired from their positions, while 13 found new positions in other companies.
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
| January | 113 | 123 | 96 | 89 | 113 | 134 |
| February | 104 | 92 | 132 | 82 | 114 | |
| March | 94 | 99 | 119 | 114 | 123 | |
| April | 90 | 103 | 101 | 78 | 112 | |
| May | 99 | 103 | 125 | 115 | 115 | |
| June | 99 | 113 | 107 | 105 | 126 | |
| July | 83 | 104 | 88 | 126 | 124 | |
| August | 104 | 104 | 95 | 101 | 144 | |
| September | 95 | 108 | 111 | 105 | 140 | |
| October | 108 | 91 | 81 | 89 | 125 | |
| November | 112 | 82 | 79 | 94 | 104 | |
| December | 103 | 83 | 107 | 105 | 123 | |
| TOTAL | 113 | 1,214 | 1,178 | 1,234 | 1,227 | 1,484 |
CHIEF EXECUTIVE DEPARTURES
Public vs. Private
| 13-Jan | 12-Dec | 2012 Year-End Total | |
| Private | 93 | 83 | 948 |
| Public | 20 | 20 | 266 |
CEO DEPARTURES
By Industry
| 12-Jan | 12-Dec | 13-Jan | |
| Aerospace/Defense | 1 | 1 | |
| Apparel | 1 | 1 | |
| Automotive | 1 | ||
| Chemical | 1 | 1 | |
| Commodities | 1 | 1 | |
| Computer | 10 | 12 | 13 |
| Construction | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Consumer Products | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Electronics | 5 | 5 | |
| Energy | 5 | 3 | 6 |
| Entertainment/Leisure | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Financial | 13 | 13 | 12 |
| Food | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Government/Non-Profit | 11 | 17 | 10 |
| Health Care/Products | 25 | 18 | 23 |
| Industrial Goods | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Insurance | 3 | 2 | |
| Legal | 1 | ||
| Media | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Pharmaceutical | 9 | 3 | 6 |
| Real Estate | 1 | 3 | |
| Retail | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| Services | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| Telecommunications | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Transportation | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Utility | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 123 | 103 | 113 |
CEO DEPARTURES
By Reason
| 13-Jan | |
| Resigned | 30 |
| Step Down | 25 |
| Retired | 24 |
| New position in another company | 13 |
| Interim Period Ended | 10 |
| Acquisition/Merger | 3 |
| Contract Dispute/Expiration | 3 |
| Another position within company | 2 |
| Differences with Board | 1 |
| Health | 1 |
| Bankruptcy | 1 |
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
