Elk Grove Village, Ill.
– Headphones manufacturer Etymotic Research said it has promoted Mark
Piepenbrink to CEO, a new position for the company.
Piepenbrink was
previously the company’s chief financial officer.
Fran Wroble, formerly of
the Wormser Company, was hired as the new chief financial officer, and Mark
Karnes joined Etymotic as consumer products managing director, another new
position.
Piepenbrink had been
chief financial officer of Etymotic for the past 10 years. A spokeswoman for
the company told TWICE that Piepenbrink will focus on day-to-day operations,
allowing company founder, president and chief technology officer Dr. Mead
Killion to concentrate on technology and engineering.
“Mark Piepenbrink understands Etymotic’s core
values, and we look forward to his leadership in today’s competitive market,”
said Killion in a statement.
Karnes, the new consumer
products managing director, will be “shifting [Etymotic’s] consumer products
division into high gear,” Killion said. Karnes is reportedly tasked with
changing consumer perception of Etymotic as a niche brand into a global
brand.
Karnes previously served
as consumer division general manager and global marketing executive director at
Shure.
