San Antonio — The Progressive Retailers Organization was at the Westin La Cantera Hill Coun
Fort Worth, Texas — RadioShack has appointed drugstore chain executive Joseph Magnacca as CEO, ending a five-month search for a chief executive.
Magnacca, who was promoted to executive VP of Walgreens on Feb. 1, will become RadioShack’s sixth CEO in eight years. He officially assumes his new post, and takes a seat on RadioShack’s board, on Feb. 11.
Park City, Utah — Headphones manufacturer Skullcandy announced that Jeremy Andrus is stepping down as president and CEO.
Company founder Rick Alden has returned as interim CEO. Alden was CEO until he resigned in 2011. He has since remained on the board of directors.
Andrus is stepping down to join a private investment firm. He will serve as a consultant to the company for the next 12 months.
Lexington, Ky. – Industry veteran Bob Brown, former longtime president/CEO of Lenbrook America, has been appointed to Thiel Audio’s board and has been tapped as Thiel’s interim COO.
His appointment follows Thiel’s purchase late last year by a Nashville-based private-equity firm that includes Thiel’s new CEO Bill Thomas, an audio aficionado who hadn’t been involved previously in the consumer electronics industry.
Ossining, N.Y. — Longtime consumer electronics writer Dennis Barker passed away yesterday, here, after a short illness.
Barker, 67, wrote for a wide range of publications, including EE Times, Home Theater Magazine and Electronic House.
Over the years, he became known for keeping meticulous product databases that were used by Consumer Reports and later for various electronics publications’ product buyers’ guides, in addition to his detailed features and articles.
Milan — V-Moda has named Karl Detken as interactive media VP.
Detken spent the past 18 years at Pioneer, where he was in charge of marketing, product development and artist relations.
“As we continue to grow our domestic market and especially as we embark on our global initiatives, we look forward to Karl’s contribution to our marketing and product development,” Val Kolton, V-Moda’s founder and chief visionary officer, said in a statement.
New York — THX has named Matthew Dever senior director of sales.
Dever will be responsible for the company’s automotive, cinema, consumer electronics and education divisions. He will also lead a team in negotiating worldwide licensing contracts with vendors, partners and customers, the company said.
Previously, Dever was with Pioneer Electronics for 20 years. His final position there was VP of Pioneer’s professional sound and visual division.
Avenel, N.J. — Fresh from a busy International CES for its seven accessories brands, Mizco announced the implementation of a new senior sales management organization.
Chris Flaharty, formerly sales VP, has assumed the position of global sales executive VP.
Harrison, N.Y. — Andre Lalande, formerly Lutron Electronics residential solutions marketing director, has been named home-automation-control company URC’s Western U.S. and Canada sales director.
At the same time, Scott Srolis, previously URC East Coast regional sales manager, advances to Eastern U.S. sales director, and Chris Discotto, previously URC Mid-Atlantic sales representative, succeeds Srolis as East Coast regional sales manager.