Gibson announced today that James “JC” Curleigh will serve as the Nashville company’s president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), replacing ousted former CEO Henry Juszkiewicz. Curleigh previously served as president of the Levi’s brand for Levi Strauss and Co. Other new senior team appointments include Cesar Gueikian as Chief Merchant Officer, (CMO) Kim Mattoon as Chief Financial Officer, (CFO) and Christian Schmitz as Chief Production Officer (CPO).
This new team will start the process of revitalizing a company that filed for bankruptcy this spring, brought on in large part by acquisitions of multiple consumer audio brands that brought on excessive debt. They’ll start in official capacity on Nov. 1, the same day that the balance sheets are cleared as Gibson officially emerges from bankruptcy. In statements given by Gibson both before filing bankruptcy, and afterwards by its new executive team, the focus for the future involves an immediate re-focus on their core line of products, namely guitars and basses.
“As a business leader and a brand builder, this is the beginning of a new era for Gibson that will build on its proven heritage and iconic status,” Curleigh said in the press release.
At Levi’s, Curleigh oversaw strategic shifts to re-invigorate the American brand and its portfolio. Gibson’s official press release states “He has a proven track record from Levi’s of finding ways to leverage heritage and create modern solutions.” These are qualities the historic guitar company surely values as they look to reinvigorate their brand the way Levi’s has.
You can view Gibson’s official press release here.
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