JK Adams Announces Management Changes

Dorset, VT - August 28, 2019 --  JK Adams Owner and Chairman Malcom Cooper, Jr. has announced the appointment of Bill Eyre as Interim President to lead the company, effective July 26, 2019. 

Mr. Eyre has served as JK Adams’ Chief Marketing Officer since March 2018 and was a consultant to the business since early 2017.  He is also a candidate in the company’s current search for a new Chief Executive Officer to replace former CEO Jon Blatchford. Mr. Blatchford departed the company at the end of July to pursue a new career opportunity. 

“Jon [Blatchford] served with distinction for 7 years as CEO of the company, shepherding the organization through a non-stop series of change and challenges,” Cooper said. “Jon worked hard before his departure to ensure that this transition went smoothly. Bill Eyre, who has worked closely with Jon for the past two years, took over as interim president immediately upon Jon's departure and has settled firmly into the leadership position.”  

“JK Adams moves into fall 2019 with a strong team throughout,” noted Cooper, “on the production floor, in the front office, in sales, customer service and product development.” 

“I’m delighted to lead this fantastic team and company that has established an impeccable reputation for innovation and quality craftsmanship for 75 years in the kitchen and housewares marketplace,” Eyre said. “Our leadership team is strong and laser-focused on delivering the very best quality products and customer service throughout the upcoming fourth quarter and innovative new products for 2020 and beyond.”   

Sharon Rishell, National Sales Manager for JK Adams, returned to the company in early 2019 after a brief hiatus. An 18-year veteran of the company, she has assumed leadership of the company’s sales and service team formerly led by Blatchford. She will serve as primary contact for all wholesale and custom-manufacturing accounts.

“All our retail partners large and small, many of whom already know her well, can rest assured they are in superlative hands with Sharon and her team,” Eyre said. “In addition, Sharon has an excellent support team with Terry Warren and Denise Corey providing superb customer service.”

The company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Webb as Senior Product Designer, and Sean Osborne as Marketing Communications & Design Manager. Webb and Osborne, together with veteran designer and model maker Charlie Armstrong, make a solid creative team in the company’s design studio. 

“Our product development team has never been stronger with some new young blood, full of enthusiasm, talent and most importantly, some very interesting and creative new product ideas,” Cooper said. “Stay tuned!”