Mary Beth Laughton, a footwear and fashion veteran who has held leadership positions at several industry giants, will soon take the helm at REI Co-op. The outdoor specialty retail giant announced Wednesday that Laughton will join REI as president on Feb.

REI Co-op President and CEO Eric Artz will retire in March, marking a new chapter in the co-op’s 87-year history. Mary Beth Laughton, a former REI Board Director described as a “seasoned retail leader,” will join REI as president on February 3, 2025, before assuming full CEO responsibilities on March 31.

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