Gibson names new management team, will emerge from Chapter 11 Nov. 1

By Caroline Salls

Pittsburgh, Oct. 24 – Gibson Brands, Inc. has appointed James “JC” Curleigh as president and chief executive officer and announced in a Tuesday news release that it would emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Nov. 1.

Gibson said Curleigh joins the company from Levi Strauss & Co., where he served as president of the Levi’s brand, and was a member of its worldwide leadership team.

Gibson also announced the appointments of Cesar Gueikian as chief merchant officer, Kim Mattoon as chief financial officer and Christian Schmitz as chief production officer.

The appointments of Curleigh and the new Gibson senior team will take effect on Nov. 1.

“As a business leader and a brand builder, this is the beginning of a new era for Gibson that will build on its proven heritage and iconic status,” Curleigh said in the release.

“We are focusing on the future and off to a fresh start, with a strong financial foundation, a committed and experienced new leadership team and new ownership that is equally passionate about the brand.”

Gueikian joins the company after a 20-year career as an entrepreneur and financier, investing in the growth of companies around the world.

As CFO, Gibson said Mattoon will support Gibson by ensuring the company builds and maintains the financial, human and other resources necessary to sustain a growth trajectory and invest in the future. She joins Gibson from Richemont North America where she acted as chief operating officer.

The company said that Schmitz, as CPO, will take on the challenge of driving best practices in manufacturing, creating supply chain synergy and establishing operational excellence across Gibson’s U.S. and global production platform. Schmitz has been a member of the transition team at Gibson over the past year.

As previously reported, upon emergence, KKR will be the majority owner with the controlling interest of Gibson.

Gibson’s plan of reorganization was confirmed on Oct. 2 by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

Gibson Brands is a Nashville-based maker of musical instruments and consumer and professional audio. The company filed bankruptcy on May 1 under Chapter 11 case number 18-11025.

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