BASKING RIDGE, N.J., June 12, 2024 — Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED), a leading solutions provider for the education industry, has announced the appointment of Jonathan Shar as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective June 11, 2024. Shar succeeds Michael P. Huseby, who resigned from the position on the same date.
Shar brings a hefty load of experience, having once worn the hat of President of Barnes & Noble College and Executive Vice President of BNED Retail. In those roles, he kept a keen eye on the retail side of things, juggling physical campus bookstores and e-commerce sites across the nation. He played a pivotal part in crafting and rolling out client-focused solutions that added big-time value to the higher education market, including the trailblazing First Day® Complete, an equitable access brainchild.
Shar expressed his enthusiasm for his new role, stating, “I am honored to take on the role of CEO and to help lead this important organization. Barnes & Noble Education has consistently excelled in introducing innovative solutions for colleges and universities along with its unparalleled focus on customer service. This is a pivotal and exciting time, and I look forward to working with the Board and our talented team to drive Barnes & Noble Education to new heights and to drive value for all stakeholders.”
Shar also took a moment to acknowledge the contributions of his predecessor, Michael Huseby. “I want to thank Mike Huseby for his many years of guidance and leadership. He has made significant contributions to the company, our clients, our employees, and to me personally.”
Huseby, who led the company through several critical phases including the recent milestone equity investment and bank refinancing transactions, commented, “With the closing of these transactions, Barnes & Noble Education is now on rock-solid financial ground and better positioned than ever to serve its academic partners and customers. I wish Jonathan and the entire BNED team future success.”
William C. Martin, Chairman of BNED, expressed his confidence in Shar’s leadership. “Jonathan brings great experience and passion for the Barnes & Noble Education business. The opportunity to serve our academic partners and the millions of students who visit our stores each year is boundless. Jonathan is just the leader we need to unlock the future growth and profitability potential of this business.”
Before landing at BNED in 2018, Shar was the Chief Marketing Officer at Akademos, Inc., an e-commerce and digital marketing outfit that offers online bookstore services. Prior to that, he spent nearly five years steering the ship as General Manager of NOOK Digital Content at Barnes & Noble, Inc., overseeing business development, product creation, and consumer marketing for NOOK’s digital content. Shar boasts a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
About Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED) is a leading solutions provider for the education industry, driving affordability, access, and achievement at hundreds of academic institutions nationwide. BNED offers campus retail services, academic solutions, and wholesale capabilities. The company is dedicated to supporting students, faculty, and institutions, ensuring that millions of students are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond. For more information, visit www.bned.com.
