Bergeron launches independent CEO search for Ethan Allen ahead of 2026 vote

Doug Bergeron, a shareholder holding a 5.2% beneficial ownership stake in Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (NYSE: ETD), has announced an independent search for a new Chief Executive Officer for the furniture company ahead of its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Bergeron and his board nominees have engaged a global executive search firm for the process, which they say was initiated independently due to what they describe as the board's unwillingness to address CEO succession. Current Chairman, President and CEO Farooq Kathwari has held his role for 38 years. In an SEC filing dated August 7, 2026, Kathwari stated that the issue of succession "has never been raised" by the board.

Kristine Miller, one of Bergeron's four board nominees, will lead the search. Miller previously served as Chief Strategy Officer at eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) and spent 24 years at Bain & Company, including as head of its North America retail practice. Fellow nominees Anna Brockway, Steve Oblak, and Stefanie Tsen Ward will support the effort.

According to the press release, the search process so far has involved establishing a CEO success profile, defining candidate archetypes, and identifying candidates with experience in omnichannel retail, brand modernization, and profitable growth.

Bergeron stated the group has received "substantial unsolicited inbound interest" from executives. He added that "shareholders have waited far too long for results and accountability" under Kathwari's tenure.

DGB Investment Inc., through which Bergeron holds part of his stake, has filed a preliminary proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with director nominations at the 2026 annual meeting. Any CEO appointment resulting from the search would require board approval, the outcome of which depends on the 2026 election results.

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