Blyth Names New CEO

Blyth, Inc. promoted Robert B. Goergen, Jr. to chief executive officer and was elected to its Board of Directors. Goergen, Jr. will remain president, PartyLite Worldwide, a position he has held since January 2012, and continue to oversee all facets of the party plan direct seller of candles and accessories for the home.  He will also continue to serve on the ViSalus Board of Directors and to oversee Silver Star Brands, Blyth's catalog and Internet retailer. 
 
Goergen. Jr. joined Blyth in 2000 and over the next decade championed the initiatives to expand Blyth's direct-to-consumer presence, leading Blyth's entry into the Catalog & Internet channel with the acquisitions of a series of general merchandise and health and wellness brands.  While overseeing the expansion of direct selling, Goergen, Jr. oversaw the divestitures that completed Blyth's strategic transformation to a direct-to-consumer business.  He also served as Blyth's president and chief operating officer for the past year.
 
Blyth's founder, Robert B. Goergen, will continue to serve as executive chairman of the Blyth Board and chairman of the ViSalus Board of Directors which oversees Blyth's Health & Wellness segment.  Other members of the ViSalus Board include Ryan Blair, CEO of ViSalus; Todd Goergen, chief strategy officer of ViSalus and Rich Riley, an independent director.
 
James M. McTaggart, chairman of Blyth's Nominating and Governance Committee, said, “The Board is pleased to have successfully structured a CEO transition that allows Bob Goergen to continue his partnership with the ViSalus management team as they strive to re-launch North America and broaden ViSalus's product and geographic reach.  His notable and enduring entrepreneurial experience will continue to provide counsel to Ryan Blair and his senior management team.  Moreover, Bob's leadership of the ViSalus Board will allow Rob to continue to focus his energy on the resurgence of PartyLite as well as oversee the Silver Star Brands evolution into a leading multi-channel, multi-brand marketer.  We are confident that this dual approach of having two talented executives focusing on key business initiatives will help Blyth better achieve its growth goals as a direct-to-consumer global marketer.”