Sean Cummings, President of the BCA and of Brunswick Billiards has resigned both posts in order to pursue an opportunity in private enterprise. Here is the text of his statement to Brunswick:
Dear Brunswick Dealers,
I am departing Brunswick Corporation Friday November 14th after 12 enjoyable years. I was presented with an opportunity to own a stake in a privately held industrial products company just 10 minutes from my home in Milwaukee. This move will ensure my wife and I will be in the Milwaukee area to care for aging parents and allow my children to complete high school in a community they have come to love.
Brunswick is fortunate to possess many great brands; however the strength of this company remains in the hands of the dedicated, professional employees and dealers who are without question the best in the business.
While I will miss being a member of the Brunswick Billiards team and broader billiards community, I know I am leaving the Company in capable hands. Warren Hardie, President of Brunswick Bowling and Billiards along with others at Brunswick Corporation are in the process of interviewing my successor. We expect this decision to be announced in the very near future.
Most businesses find themselves in the midst of difficult economic times. However it is helpful to remind one another that throughout Brunswick's long and storied history, the Company has overcome many challenges during the past 163 years:
* The Great Chicago Fire that destroyed many of the Company's historical records,
* The Great Depression,
* Prohibition, during which no one was buying beautifully carved back-bars and billiards tables,
* The boom, and then the bust, of the bowling craze in the late ‘60s that resulted in the takeover of many retail bowling centers when proprietors couldn't pay for the equipment.
* The last major marine industry downturn through the late ‘80s and early ‘90s when more than 30 percent of our dealers went bankrupt,
* Not to mention 43rd, and soon to be 44th, presidential administrations; the Civil War; a couple of World Wars; Korea; Vietnam; and the most recent conflicts.
Brunswick will get through the current downturn. Brunswick Billiards remains profitable, our product line is stronger than ever, we are taking market share and the Brunswick brand continues to resonate with consumers around the world.
My three years at Brunswick Billiards have been very special. I look forward to your continued success.
Sincerely,
Sean Cummings
While this has not as yet been confirmed by the BCA it is the belief of AZBiliards that this situation will call upon BCA Vice President Ivan Lee of Simonis Cloth to fill the unexpired term of BCA President.
BCA Loses President
November 10, 2008