BASKING RIDGE, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED), a leading solutions provider for the education industry, today announced that Kevin F. Watson has been named Chief Financial Officer, effective September 7, 2023. Mr. Watson will report directly to Michael P. Huseby, Chief Executive Officer, BNED.
Mr. Watson is a seasoned executive with more than 20 years of global finance, accounting, capital markets, business transformation and transactional experience across diverse industries. As CFO at Barnes & Noble Education, Mr. Watson will be responsible for the financial management of the Company, including leading the Accounting, Treasury, Tax, Financial Planning, Financial Operations, Internal Audit and Investor Relations teams.
“We are pleased to welcome Kevin to Barnes & Noble Education as our new Chief Financial Officer,” said Michael P. Huseby, Chief Executive Officer, BNED. “Kevin’s unique combination of financial, operational and capital markets expertise is a strong complement to the existing executive leadership team at this important time in our transformation. Kevin has a track record of delivering results and transforming companies to drive value creation and will be a tremendous asset to our company.”
Prior to joining BNED, Mr. Watson served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Paraco Gas Corporation, one of the largest privately held energy distributors and service providers in the United States. There, he oversaw finance, accounting, tax, internal audit, human resources, information technology, supply chain, business intelligence, risk management, and mergers and acquisitions. While at Paraco, Mr. Watson spearheaded strategic and transformative initiatives to pursue growth objectives, increase efficiencies and strengthen the company’s market share.
Before joining Paraco Gas in 2018, Mr. Watson successfully led select financing transactions such as a company leveraged buyout by a private-equity consortium, IPOs, spin-offs, mergers and acquisitions, and private and public debt financings on senior executive teams at Cablevision Systems Corporation, PanAmSat Corporation, and Entex IT Service. In addition, Mr. Watson held a variety of finance roles at MCI Telecommunications and Prudential Securities, Inc.
“I am thrilled to join Barnes & Noble Education at an exciting time in the Company’s transformation. I look forward to working with the leadership team and the Board as we continue to execute on our strategic priorities by focusing on achieving sustained growth and profitability and consistent execution, which we expect to deliver significant long-term value for shareholders,” said Mr. Watson.
Mr. Watson holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Iona University.
ABOUT BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC.
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED) is a leading solutions provider for the education industry, driving affordability, access and achievement at hundreds of academic institutions nationwide and ensuring millions of students are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond. Through its family of brands, BNED offers campus retail services and academic solutions, wholesale capabilities and more. BNED is a company serving all who work to elevate their lives through education, supporting students, faculty and institutions as they make tomorrow a better, more inclusive and smarter world. For more information, visit www.bned.com.
