About the Weekly
Each week, Boardroom Alpha tracks the most notable executive moves across U.S. public companies—highlighting key leadership changes that may signal strategic shifts, governance challenges, or opportunities for investors. From CEO transitions to CFO appointments and board resignations, our weekly update offers a quick pulse on the evolving leadership landscape in corporate America.
Leadership Turmoil Amid Shareholder Losses: CEO and Board Changes at Underperforming Retailers
The past week saw a dramatic reshuffling of executive and boardroom chairs, particularly within companies grappling with severe shareholder losses. The most notable transitions occurred at two retailers facing intense pressure: The Children’s Place Inc. (PLCE) and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (FUN).
At The Children’s Place Inc. (PLCE), Muhammad Umair was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer, taking the helm of a company where shareholders have endured a staggering -47.7% 1-year TSR. The board’s C- rating and Elevated activist vulnerability score highlight the urgent need for a turnaround. This move signals a significant leadership change likely intended to address the company’s operational and financial challenges. Similarly, the tumultuous performance at Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (FUN), which has seen a -67.6% 1-year TSR, prompted the departure of Richard Zimmerman as Chief Executive Officer and Board member. John Reilly was appointed as the new President and Chief Executive Officer and Class III director. With a poor D board rating and High activist vulnerability, the new leadership faces an immediate mandate to restore investor confidence and stabilize the theme park operator.
Notable CEO Transitions and Boardroom Refreshment
Beyond the most distressed names, a planned retirement at Brixmor Property Group Inc. (BRX) marks a change in leadership under more mixed performance. James M. Taylor Jr. is retiring as CEO and Board member, with Brian T. Finnegan stepping in as the permanent CEO and Board member. While the company holds a solid B+ board rating, its 1-year TSR is -9.9%, indicating modest shareholder losses preceding the transition. This suggests a succession plan executed against a backdrop of underperformance, but one supported by strong governance fundamentals.
Meanwhile, other significant changes signal ongoing performance reviews and strategic adjustments:
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Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (KDP), facing a -12.6% 1-year TSR and a High activist risk profile, appointed Anthony DiSilvestro as CFO, succeeding Sudhanshu Priyadarshi. The change occurs as the company’s C board rating suggests mixed governance and performance signals.
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DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. (XRAY), burdened by a -38.7% 1-year TSR, appointed Michael Pomeroy as interim Chief Financial Officer. The company’s D board rating and High activist risk underscore the urgency behind this executive change.
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DELL Technologies Inc. (DELL), which maintains a strong A- board rating despite a -4.3% 1-year TSR, appointed David Kennedy as its permanent CFO, following a brief period as interim. This appointment provides certainty in the finance function for the tech giant.
Board governance also saw movement, including the departure of Lisa A. Davis from the Board of Directors at Air Products & Chemicals Inc. (APD). APD’s situation is complex: it has a -20.7% 1-year TSR (shareholder losses) and a High activist vulnerability score, suggesting this board exit takes place under duress. Conversely, Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (CMG), which is also under Elevated activist pressure but holds a strong B board rating, added Josh Weinstein to its Board of Directors, signaling an effort to enhance expertise.
Executive Moves Summary Table
| COMPANY | Market Cap | 1-Year TSR |
Board Rating |
Activist Risk | Executive Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR PRODUCTS & CHEMICALS INC (APD) | $57.6B | -20.7% | C | HIGH |
|
| AMBARELLA INC (AMBA) | $3.2B | 8.0% | B- | LOW |
|
| BANK OF AMERICA CORP (BAC) | $387.0B | 13.6% | B | ELEVATED |
|
| BRIXMOR PROPERTY GROUP INC (BRX) | $8.0B | -9.9% | B+ | LOW |
|
| CARTERS INC (CRI) | $1.2B | -38.9% | C- | HIGH |
|
| CG ONCOLOGY INC (CGON) | $3.6B | 32.3% | C- | LOW |
|
| CHILDRENS PLACE INC (PLCE) | $178.9M | -47.7% | C- | ELEVATED |
|
| CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL INC (CMG) | $45.0B | -45.7% | B | ELEVATED |
|
| CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE INC (CBRL) | $640.9M | -43.4% | C- | HIGH |
|
| CTS CORP (CTS) | $1.2B | -21.5% | C | LOW |
|
| DELL TECHNOLOGIES INC (DELL) | $89.6B | -4.3% | A- | LOW |
|
| DENTSPLY SIRONA INC (XRAY) | $2.3B | -38.7% | D | HIGH |
|
| DESIGNER BRANDS INC (DBI) | $216.0M | -4.9% | C- | ELEVATED |
|
| DICK’S SPORTING GOODS INC (DKS) | $16.6B | .0% | A | LOW |
|
| DIGITALOCEAN HOLDINGS INC (DOCN) | $4.1B | 16.6% | B- | LOW |
|
| DOMINOS PIZZA INC (DPZ) | $14.0B | -10.8% | B- | ELEVATED |
|
| EAGLE BANCORP INC (EGBN) | $574.0M | -34.2% | D | HIGH |
|
| EXELON CORP (EXC) | $47.0B | 22.3% | C+ | HIGH |
|
| HERC HOLDINGS INC (HRI) | $4.6B | -39.5% | B | ELEVATED |
|
| IMMUNOCORE HOLDINGS PLC (IMCR) | $2.0B | 23.7% | C+ | ELEVATED |
|
| IMPERIAL OIL LTD (IMO) | $49.1B | 37.2% | A+ | LOW |
|
| INSTACART (MAPLEBEAR INC) (CART) | $11.1B | -3.1% | B- | HIGH |
|
| KEURIG DR PEPPER INC (KDP) | $37.6B | -12.6% | C | HIGH |
|
| KITE REALTY GROUP TRUST (KRG) | $5.0B | -12.8% | C+ | LOW |
|
| KOHLS CORP (KSS) | $2.7B | 69.8% | C- | HIGH |
|
| LABCORP HOLDINGS INC (LH) | $22.2B | 13.3% | B- | ELEVATED |
|
| MACOM TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS INC (MTSI) | $12.6B | 24.8% | C+ | LOW |
|
| NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES INC (NBIX) | $15.1B | 18.5% | B+ | ELEVATED |
|
| OMNICOM GROUP INC (OMC) | $13.8B | -29.2% | C- | ELEVATED |
|
| OPEN LENDING CORP (LPRO) | $226.9M | -69.8% | D | HIGH |
|
| PAGERDUTY INC (PD) | $1.1B | -44.3% | C- | ELEVATED |
|
| PREMIER INC (PINC) | $2.3B | 28.5% | C+ | ELEVATED |
|
| PROLOGIS INC (PLD) | $119.0B | 14.4% | B | LOW |
|
| RB GLOBAL INC (RBA) | $18.2B | .9% | B+ | HIGH |
|
| REXFORD INDUSTRIAL REALTY INC (REXR) | $9.7B | 2.8% | C+ | HIGH |
|
| ROSS STORES INC (ROST) | $57.8B | 16.4% | B+ | LOW |
|
| SEALED AIR CORP (SEE) | $6.3B | 22.6% | C | ELEVATED |
|
| SHAKE SHACK INC (SHAK) | $3.8B | -33.3% | C+ | LOW |
|
| SIX FLAGS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION (FUN) | $1.5B | -67.6% | D | HIGH |
|
| SOUTHWEST GAS HOLDINGS INC (SWX) | $5.9B | 9.1% | B- | ELEVATED |
|
| TENET HEALTHCARE CORP (THC) | $19.1B | 49.3% | A | LOW |
|
| VERA THERAPEUTICS INC (VERA) | $2.1B | -29.8% | C | LOW |
|
| VERINT SYSTEMS INC (VRNT) | $1.2B | -15.9% | C- | ELEVATED |
|
| VERISIGN INC (VRSN) | $23.4B | 37.6% | C+ | LOW |
|
| VIMEO INC (VMEO) | $1.3B | 17.9% | C | LOW |
|
| ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORP (ZBRA) | $12.7B | -37.8% | C | HIGH |
|
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