Baird appointed CEO of A.T. Cross

ROBERT BAIRD JR. has been appointed CEO of A.T. Cross Co., a portfolio company of Clarion Capital Partners, the board of directors announced this week. / COURTESY LINKEDIN
ROBERT BAIRD JR. has been appointed CEO of A.T. Cross Co., a portfolio company of Clarion Capital Partners, the board of directors announced this week. / COURTESY LINKEDIN

LINCOLN – Robert P. Baird Jr. has been appointed CEO of A.T. Cross Co., a portfolio company of Clarion Capital Partners, the board of directors announced this week.
Chad Mellen is stepping down from his executive positions at the high-end pen maker to pursue other business opportunities, according to a news release.
“A.T. Cross is embarking on an exciting new branding strategy to reach expressive consumers all over the world,” Eric Kogan, chairman of A.T. Cross, said in a statement. “The board is pleased to have found a terrific leader to aggressively move the Cross and Sheaffer brands forward into our fast moving contemporary world.”
Most recently, Baird was the CEO and president of the sports portfolio of Dorel Industries, a $1.1 billion revenue global business which included brands such as Cannondale, Schwinn, GT, Mongoose, Caloi and the Sugoi apparel brand. Baird led the sports division to 13 consecutive quarters of profit growth, and drove sales from $640 million to more than $1 billion, the release stated.
Prior to his role at Dorel, Baird was president and CEO of the North American domestic appliance business of Royal Philips Electronics, responsible for brands such as Norelco and Sonicare.
Baird spent the early part of his career in financial and brand management roles with companies such as General Electric, Procter & Gamble, Bristol Myers Squibb and General Motors in the Cadillac division.
Baird holds a B.A. in economics from St. Lawrence University, and a MBA in marketing, finance and management policy from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University.
“I’m grateful to the board for the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization of creative, dedicated and talented professionals,” Baird said. “A.T. Cross produces elegantly designed writing instruments and accessories that inspire writers around the globe. I’m excited to meet our employees, customers, distributors and suppliers over the coming months to collaborate on our future, and look forward to leading this company to its next period of superb performance.”
Mellen has agreed to serve as a special adviser to the company to assist with the transition.

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