PAWTUCKET – Today marks the end of an era for Hasbro Inc. (NYSE: HAS), as Brian Goldner becomes the toymaker’s CEO, taking over for 43-year company veteran Alfred J. Verrecchia, 65.

Verrecchia – who retires today as both president and CEO – will become the company’s non-executive chairman, taking over from Hasbro’s longtime leader Alan Hassenfeld, who stepped down as CEO in 2003.

Hassenfeld – who recently spoke with Providence Business News about the Rhode Island budget crisis and how to grow the state’s economy (“All must share pain to right R.I.’s economic ship,” 05/07/08) – will continue to serve on the toymaker’s board of directors and will still chair its executive committee.

“During Al’s long and dedicated career at Hasbro, he has been one of the key architects – especially during his five years as CEO – of making Hasbro the successful global company it is today,” Hassenfeld said in February when the transition plans were announced (READ MORE). The changes were timed to coincide with the company’s annual meeting today.

“Hasbro is a company on the rise. We’re financially strong, with great momentum,” Verrecchia said at the time.

“I have achieved all of the goals I set when I became CEO and I thought now was a great time to step aside … and I am really excited to turn the leadership of this company over to Brian. I have worked closely with him during the last seven years and I know his entrepreneurial spirit, creative stewardship and strong leadership will serve Brian well as he takes Hasbro to the next level.”

Goldner, 45 – a graduate of Dartmouth College – joined Hasbro in 2000 from Bandai America Inc., and had served as president of the U.S. toy segment before being named chief operating officer in 2006.

As COO, he has led Hasbro’s expansion into the television, movie and electronic gaming markets. He even served as executive producer on the “G.I. Joe” and “Transformers” TV shows and feature films, plus two related documentaries, according to the Internet Movie Database.

It was not immediately clear what his salary would be in the new position; Verrecchia made $16.5M last year, Hasbro regulatory filings indicate.

“I am honored to succeed Al as CEO,” Goldner said in his own Feb. 11 statement. “This is a very exciting time for the company. We have a tremendous team at Hasbro who all share a common goal of continuing to grow our world-class portfolio of brands through creativity and innovation.”

His first action as CEO, after taking office today at the annual shareholder’s meeting, was to name David Hargreaves, 55, to the newly vacant post of COO.

“David Hargreaves has been one of the prime architects of Hasbro’s very strong performance in recent years,” Goldner said in a statement today, adding: “David is an experienced and proven executive and a trusted partner who understands all facets of our business, and he is the ideal choice to take over as COO.”

Hargreaves, a 26-year company veteran, has served as Hasbro’s chief financial officer since 2001. He will continue to serve as CFO, the company said.

He joined Hasbro in 1982, as a finance manager in the company’s London office. Hargreaves previously had worked in the automobile industry in Europe, including stints with the Ford Motor Co. and DeLorean Motor Cars. A graduate of the University of East London, he is serves on the board of directors of the Rhode Island Public Expenditures Council (RIPEC).

Hasbro Inc. (NYSE: HAS) – the world’s second-largest toymaker – designs, manufactures and markets games and toys under brands including Playskool, Tonka, Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers, Tiger and Wizards of the Coast. Additional information is available at www.hasbro.com.