• Show Search Options  • Search Tips


Section Front

Real EstateReal Estate
Market SummaryMarket Summary
DOWDOW
NSDQNSDQ
S&P 500S&P 500
Symbol LookupSymbol Lookup
Fund Families SearchFund Families Search
Personal FinancePersonal Finance
Small BusinessSmall Business

In The Spotlight

CEO WealthmeterCEO Wealthmeter
Chart the biggest winners and losers in the business world.
CEO Wealthmeter

Special Report

Money MattersMoney Matters
Early Show financial adviser Ray Martin offers tips to keep your financial house in order.
Money Matters

Interactive

Eye on the EconomyEye on the Economy
Explore the U.S. economy through our in-depth features on U.S. markets, taxes, employment and the Federal Reserve.
Eye on the Economy




E-Mail This StoryPrintable Version

RadioShack CEO David J. Edmondson Resigns

DALLAS, Feb. 21, 2006
(AP)


(AP) David J. Edmondson worked nearly 11 years with RadioShack Corp. before he became president and CEO. But after less than a year at the helm, he has stepped down following questions about his resume's accuracy.

The company's board said Monday it had accepted Edmondson's resignation and promoted Claire Babrowski _ executive vice president and chief operating officer _ to acting CEO.

"One of the most important things we have as a corporation is integrity and trust and we know we have to restore that back to the public," Executive Chairman Leonard Roberts said.

Edmondson last week acknowledged resume errors that included claims of earning two college degrees for which the school he attended has no records. He issued a brief statement Monday but did not discuss his resume.

"At this time the board and I have agreed that it is in the best interest of the company for new leadership to step forward so that our turnaround plan has the best possible chance to succeed, as I know it will," Edmondson said.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram first reported of errors with Edmondson's resume on Feb. 14. The RadioShack board issued a statement saying it stood behind Edmondson, a move Roberts said he regrets.

After Edmondson acknowledged the errors on Wednesday, the board said it would hire an outside firm to investigate. But that was canceled with the resignation.

Edmondson and the board were negotiating a severance package and his departure; Roberts said it's worth less than $1 million in cash. He said further details will be disclosed in a regulatory filing.

In 2004, Edmondson received $616,154 in salary plus an $820,219 bonus while serving as chief operating officer, according to the company's proxy. The 2005 salaries for senior executives have not been disclosed yet.

Stacey Widlitz, analyst for Fulcrum Global Partners LLC, wasn't surprised by the resignation, but hadn't expected it on a holiday when financial markets were closed.

"If you think about his tenure, it's not as if he's led a turnaround of this company," she said. "That being said, it would be difficult for the board, considering the things that have come out, to find a reason to keep him."

Edmondson, 46, joined RadioShack in 1994 and had been CEO since May.

Edmondson had claimed that he received degrees in theology and psychology from Pacific Coast Baptist College in California, which moved in 1998 to Oklahoma and renamed itself Heartland Baptist Bible College.

The school's registrar told the Star-Telegram that records showed Edmondson completed only two semesters and that the school never offered degrees in psychology. The school official declined to comment to The Associated Press.

Edmondson said last week he believes that he received a theology diploma called a ThG, but not the four-year bachelor of science degree listed on his resume. He could not document the ThG diploma.

Roberts said company background checks did not include academic verification in 1994 as they do today.

On Friday, Edmondson told Wall Street analysts that RadioShack's fourth-quarter earnings fell 62 percent and it would close 400 to 700 stores, plus two distribution centers.

Babrowski's job will be to lead a turnaround that begins with the store closings. She has said she hopes to have the first 400 stores closed by Sept. 1.

Widlitz said Babrowski, a former McDonald's Corp. executive hired last summer, would fit well as CEO, even if it's temporary.

"She's the right candidate," Widlitz said. "I like her approach at how she looks at the business. She walks into a store and wants to see it through the consumer's eyes."

___

On the Net:

RadioShack: http://www.radioshack.com


MMVI The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Back To Top  Back To Top



E-Mail AlertsRSS FeedsPodcasts
Advertisement

Go To CBS News Video

TOP VIDEOS

Watch VideoMajor U.S. Ally Killed In Iraq | E-Mail

Watch VideoGreenspan On Housing Market | E-Mail

Watch VideoHumberto's Aftermath  | E-Mail

Watch VideoBarack's Running Mate | E-Mail

More Video


  • Show Search Options  • Search Tips
Wireless Alerts:  CBS News To Go  E-Mail Sign-Up:  Breaking News  |  Today On CBS News  |  60 Minutes  |  48 Hours  |  The Early Show  |  CBS Sunday Morning  |  News Summaries

Recommended Sites:  CBS Corporation  |  The ShowBuzz  |  Wallstrip  |  CBS.com  |  CBSSports.com  |  CWTV.com  |  ETOnline.com  |  The INSIDER  |  CBS Store  |  CBS Careers  |  CBS Cares
Breaking News© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.